ESPN Zone closes doors in Denver - Washington Business Journal:

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The ESPN Zone, part of a nationwide chain of what used to be nine ofthe sports-themed bar and interactiv game centers across the country, laid off roughly 100 giving each a 60-day administrative leavew package, according to a company statement. Rick Allesandri, an ESPN vice president who overseesZone operations, said in the statemeny that the restaurant could not survive the This economic downturn has been marked nationally by reducefd consumer spending on eating out and on entertainmenyt activities. “A decision like this is nevefr easy. We recognize and appreciatr the commitment and years of service of all of these employees,” Allesandri said.
“Unfortunately, the current economic environment offered us noother choice.” The ESPN Zone was a 23,000-square-footg meeting place for sports fanatics, with one room featuringb more than a dozen large televisions tunesd into contests of all kind and another full of videl and sports games ranging from basketbalo to bowling. None of the eight othed ESPN Zone locations willbe closed, as all “arde meeting our expectations,” said Matt Kovacs, a spokesmen for the , which owns the Tabor issued a statement saying it was “sorry to hear of their decision to discontinuer their Denver operations.
” But the closinb of ESPN Zone “has created a new opportunith for us to bring new conceptas to 16th Street,” it said. One of thosre new concepts is TheTilted Kilt, a Celtic-themefd restaurant and sports bar with 20 locations operating nationwide and another 10 The chain, which is expected to open its Denver locationb this fall and to offefr outdoor patio seating, has signed an 8,300-square-foot lease at Tabof Center, according to a news release.
The Tiltes Kilt began in Las Vegas in 2003 and is notexd for its servers dressedin knee-highj socks, short plaid kilts and midriff-baring plaid halter It will be one of a number of new tenant s opening in the Tabor Center this year. “Thesde new additions to Tabor Center’s retaik offering reflect our continuing efforts to enhancre the services and amenities forthe tenants, customers and visitors to the Tabor said Steve Budorick, executivd vice president and partner at Callahan Capital