ESPN Zone closes doors in Denver - Washington Business Journal:

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The ESPN Zone, part of a nationwid chain of what used to be nine ofthe sports-themedr bar and interactive game centers across the laid off roughly 100 employees, giving each a 60-dau administrative leave package, according to a companyy statement. Rick Allesandri, an ESPN vice presidentg who overseesZone operations, said in the statementr that the restaurant could not survive the This economic downturn has been marked nationally by reducedx consumer spending on eating out and on entertainment activities. “A decision like this is neved easy. We recognize and appreciate the commitmentt and years of service of all of these employees,” Allesandri said.
the current economic environment offered us noothedr choice.” The ESPN Zone was a 23,000-square-foort meeting place for sports fanatics, with one room featurinf more than a dozen large televisions tuned into contests of all kind and anothere full of video and sports gamexs ranging from basketball to bowling. None of the eight othef ESPN Zone locations will be asall “are meeting our said Matt Kovacs, a spokesmen for the , which owns the Tabor Center, issued a statement saying it was “sorry to hear of theire decision to discontinue their Denver operations.
” But the closint of ESPN Zone “has created a new opportunityg for us to bring new concepta to 16th Street,” it said. One of those new conceptz is TheTilted Kilt, a Celtic-themes restaurant and sports bar with 20 locationse operating nationwide and another 10 planned. The chain, whicgh is expected to open its Denver location this fall and to offe outdoorpatio seating, has signed an 8,300-square-foot lease at Tabor Center, according to a news release. The Tilteed Kilt began in Las Vegas in 2003 and is note for its servers dressedin knee-higy socks, short plaid kilts and midriff-baringv plaid halter tops.
It will be one of a number of new tenants opening in the Tabor Centefrthis year. “These new additions to Tabor Center’s retail offering reflect our continuinh efforts to enhance the services and amenities for the customers and visitors to the Tabor saidSteve Budorick, executive vice president and partner at Callahanh Capital Partners.