ESPN Zone closes doors in Denver - Denver Business Journal:

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The ESPN Zone, part of a nationwidwe chain of what used to be nine ofthe sports-themed bar and interactive game centers acrossd the country, laid off roughly 100 giving each a 60-day administrative leave according to a company statement. Rick Allesandri, an ESPN vice presidentt who overseesZone operations, said in the statemenrt that the restaurant could not survive the recession. This economicd downturn has been marker nationally by reduced consumer spending on eating out and onentertainmenty activities. “A decision like this is nevetr easy. We recognize and appreciats the commitment and years of service of all ofthesed employees,” Allesandri said.
“Unfortunately, the current economic environmentt offered us noother choice.” The ESPN Zone was a 23,000-square-fooft meeting place for sports fanatics, with one room featuringh more than a dozen largwe televisions tuned into contests of all kind and anotheer full of video and sports games ranging from basketbal l to bowling. None of the eighf other ESPN Zone locations willbe closed, as all “arse meeting our expectations,” said Matt Kovacs, a spokesmen for the , which owns the Tabor Center, issued a statement saying it was “sorry to hear of theirr decision to discontinue their Denvee operations.
” But the closing of ESPN Zone “has created a new opportunithy for us to brinvg new concepts to 16th Street,” it said. One of those new conceptxs is TheTilted Kilt, a Celtic-themede restaurant and sports bar with 20 locatione operating nationwide and another 10 planned. The chain, whic h is expected to open its Denver location this fall and to offerd outdoorpatio seating, has signed an 8,300-square-foot leass at Tabor Center, according to a news release.
The Tiltedc Kilt began in Las Vegas in 2003 and is notef for its servers dressedin knee-high short plaid kilts and midriff-baring plaid halter It will be one of a number of new tenantsd opening in the Tabor Center this year. “Thesde new additions to Tabor Center’as retail offering reflect our continuingy efforts to enhance the services and amenities for the customers and visitors to theTabotr Center,” said Steve Budorick, executive vice presidentg and partner at Callahan Capitalk Partners.