LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Making a bar into a winter wonderland in downtown Louisville. Thor Morgan has owned Galaxie for eight years and started doing a Christmas pop-up bar also known as Miracle on Market six years ago. He says he and his team strive to make it a winter getaway for folks to explore.


What You Need To Know

  • Now through Dec. 31, Galaxie Bar in downtown Louisville turns into a Christmas pop-up bar called "Miracle on Market"

  • The well-known holiday bar has increased foot traffic to downtown Louisville, including for small businesses

  • Businesses want to make the downtown area a Christmas destination for locals and tourist

 “Certainly fun to do something out of the ordinary every year and break up our regular routine,” said Morgan.

“Loved just being able to give people a vacation, really. That’s the way I look at it. Like only to get away from your daily activities. It’s like, relax, have a drink and hang out,” he added.

Over the years Miracle on Market has become the Christmas go-to spot in downtown Louisville.

“For this event, since we’ve been around long enough, people know about us and they come from as far as 30 minutes away or more. And so bringing a lot of people to downtown, it’s crazy what it does for the neighborhood, and since we’ve started this, more and more places around here are doing similar things and really making this like a Christmas destination,” said Morgan.

Louabull Associate Grayson Riddle says they are seeing an uptick in foot traffic.

“The shop has been popping at this time of year is our time of year for sure. Not just our store, but just this strip alone. It is wild during the holidays,” said Riddle.

This time of year, ornaments are on everybody’s mind. 

“We have Queen Elizabeth, Michael Jackson. Lots of lots of different people. Anybody that you’re a fan of, we’ll probably have it,” said Riddle of their holiday merchandise.

Both Riddle and Morgan believe in making downtown Louisville the Christmas shopping spot, and that it helps the local small businesses and the community.

“Shop within their own communities and, in turn, build up their communities,” said Riddle

“I think it’s good to be able to kind of build up our city center for sure with money coming into this area and giving people a reason to kind of get out of their homes and go out on the town and interact with others,” Morgan added.

Morgan hopes to make Miracle on Market bigger and better for years to come. Miracle on Market and all their holiday cheer ends on Dec. 31.