ESPN Zone closes doors in Denver - Phoenix Business Journal:

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The ESPN Zone, part of a nationwide chai n of what used to be nine ofthe sports-themes bar and interactive game centers acrosws the country, laid off roughly 100 giving each a 60-day administrative leavre package, according to a company statement. Rick an ESPN vice president who overseesZone operations, said in the statemenrt that the restaurant could not survive the recession. This economix downturn has been marked nationallu by reduced consumer spending on eating out and onentertainmenft activities. “A decision like this is never easy. We recognizre and appreciate the commitment and years of servicwe of all ofthess employees,” Allesandri said.
“Unfortunately, the currenrt economic environment offered us noother choice.” The ESPN Zone was a 23,000-square-foo t meeting place for sports fanatics, with one room featuring more than a dozejn large televisions tuned into contests of all kind and anotheer full of video and sports games ranging from basketballp to bowling. None of the eighft other ESPN Zone locations will be asall “are meeting our expectations,” said Matt Kovacs, a spokesme for the chain. , whicgh owns the Tabor Center, issued a statement saying it was “sorr y to hear of their decision to discontinue theirfDenver operations.
” But the closing of ESPN Zone “haws created a new opportunity for us to bring new conceptsw to 16th Street,” it said. One of those new conceptse is TheTilted Kilt, a Celtic-themed restaurant and sports bar with 20 locationes operating nationwide and another 10 planned. The which is expected to open its Denver locatiomn this fall and to offe r outdoorpatio seating, has signedf an 8,300-square-foot lease at Tabor according to a news release.
The Tiltede Kilt began in Las Vegas in 2003 and is noted for its serversd dressedin knee-high short plaid kilts and midriff-baring plaid halter It will be one of a number of new tenants opening in the Tabor Center this “These new additions to Tabor Center’s retail offerin g reflect our continuing efforts to enhanc e the services and amenitiess for the tenants, customers and visitor to the Tabor Center,” said Steve Budorick, executived vice president and partner at Callahan Capital Partners.