This massive Highlands building just sold for $2.5 million to a local investor

Dahlia Ghabour, Louisville Courier Journal
·2 min read
HopCat was expected to become a major player in the Highlands nightlife when it opened a few years ago, but now that its closed, the future of the block is in question. 7/24/20
HopCat was expected to become a major player in the Highlands nightlife when it opened a few years ago, but now that its closed, the future of the block is in question. 7/24/20

The massive, 13,000-square-foot former HopCat building in the Highlands has a new owner.

Preston Thomas Properties' Andrew Owen bought the building at 1064 Baxter Ave. for $2.5 million. The deal was brokered by Reed B. Weinberg and Jenny Johnston of PRG Commercial Property Advisors.

HopCat opened in the space in 2016 and was, at the time, Kentucky's largest hub for craft beer, with 132 craft taps and a small-batch brewery on-site. The building has been empty since HopCat closed in July 2020.

"Andrew Owen is the son of longtime Highlands Metro Councilman Tom Owen, and a big believer in Bardstown Road and the Highlands," Weinberg said. "They are the perfect buyer because they are committed to the neighborhood. It's important to have some new life in the area."

Weinberg said he split the building into two parcels, one for the 4,000-square-foot upstairs space and one for the downstairs space.

More: This new bar is taking over part of the former HopCat building in the Highlands

The upstairs space reopens this month as a bar and dance hall called The Wiggle Room, run by JC Denison and Emily Ruff, who also own The Merryweather,1101 Lydia St. The Wiggle Room will have a full 1970s vibe complete with a DJ station, dance floor, disco ball, pinball machines and red vinyl booths.

The main floor does not yet have a tenant placed. Owen said he will look at "what does not currently exist in the neighborhood and try to fill that need."

"We think it'll be a multi-faceted concept, maybe four or five concepts in the same footprint," Owen said. "There will certainly be food service involved, we won't scrap the kitchen and that sort of thing. It's a challenge because it's such a big space...we want to try and create multiple sources of revenue."

Features reporter Dahlia Ghabour covers food, dining trends and restaurants in the Louisville area. Send tips on new places or story ideas to dghabour@courier-journal.com or follow on Twitter @dghabour.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Highlands investor buys former HopCat building for $2.5 million