ESPN Zone closes doors in Denver - Dallas Business Journal:

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The ESPN Zone, part of a nationwidee chain of what used to be nine ofthe sports-themedf bar and interactive game centers across the laid off roughly 100 employees, giving each a 60-day administrativ e leave package, according to a compang statement. Rick Allesandri, an ESPN vice president who overseewsZone operations, said in the statement that the restaurantr could not survive the recession. This economic downturn has been markede nationally by reduced consumer spending on eating out and onentertainment activities. “A decision like this is never We recognize and appreciate the commitmen t and years of service of all ofthese employees,” Allesandrii said.
“Unfortunately, the currenyt economic environment offered us noother choice.” The ESPN Zone was a 23,000-square-foot meeting place for sports with one room featuring more than a dozej large televisions tuned into contests of all kind and another full of videoo and sports games ranginv from basketball to bowling. None of the eigh t other ESPN Zone locations willbe closed, as all “arde meeting our expectations,” said Matt Kovacs, a spokesmen for the , which owns the Tabore Center, issued a statement saying it was “sorryt to hear of their decision to discontinue their Denver operations.
” But the closing of ESPN Zone “hasw created a new opportunityh for us to bring new concepts to 16th Street,” it said. One of thosw new concepts is TheTilted Kilt, a Celtic-themed restaurant and sports bar with 20 locationd operating nationwide and another 10 The chain, which is expected to open its Denvedr location this fall and to offerr outdoor patio seating, has signed an 8,300-square-foot leaswe at Tabor Center, according to a news The Tilted Kilt began in Las Vegas in 2003 and is notecd for its servers dressed in knee-high short plaid kilts and midriff-baring plaid haltee tops. It will be one of a numbefr of new tenants opening in the Taborr Centerthis year.
“These new additions to Tabo Center’s retail offering reflect our continuinv efforts to enhance the services and amenitiesz forthe tenants, customers and visitors to the Tabor said Steve Budorick, executive vice president and partner at Callahan Capitaol Partners.