ESPN Zone closes doors in Denver - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:

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The ESPN Zone, part of a nationwided chain of what used to be nine ofthe sports-themed bar and interactive game centers across the laid off roughly 100 employees, givingv each a 60-day administrative leave package, according to a companh statement. Rick Allesandri, an ESPN vice presidentt who overseesZone operations, said in the statement that the restaurangt could not survive the recession. This economicf downturn has been marked nationally by reduceds consumer spending on eatingy out and onentertainment activities. “A decision like this is neverf easy. We recognize and appreciate the commitment and yearas of service of all ofthese employees,” Allesandrij said.
“Unfortunately, the current economic environmentr offered us noother choice.” The ESPN Zone was a 23,000-square-foot meetinb place for sports fanatics, with one room featurinfg more than a dozen large televisions tuned into contests of all kind and anotherd full of video and sportes games ranging from basketball to None of the eight other ESPN Zone locationds will be closed, as all “ars meeting our expectations,” said Matt a spokesmen for the chain. , whicu owns the Tabor Center, issued a statement saying itwas “sorry to hear of theie decision to discontinue their Denver operations.
” But the closinhg of ESPN Zone “has created a new opportunity for us to brintg new concepts to 16th Street,” it said. One of thos new concepts is TheTilted Kilt, a Celtic-themed restaurantg and sports bar with 20 locations operating nationwide and another 10 planned. The which is expected to open its Denver location this fall and to offee outdoorpatio seating, has signed an 8,300-square-foot lease at Tabor Center, according to a news The Tilted Kilt began in Las Vegas in 2003 and is notedf for its servers dressesd in knee-high socks, short plaid kilts and midriff-bariny plaid halter tops.
It will be one of a number of new tenants opening in the Tabor Centerthis “These new additions to Tabor Center’sa retail offering reflect our continuing effortxs to enhance the services and amenities for the tenants, customers and visitors to the Tabotr Center,” said Steve Budorick, executive vice president and partner at Callahan Capital Partners.