ESPN Zone closes doors in Denver - Portland Business Journal:

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The ESPN Zone, part of a nationwide chaij of what used to be nine ofthe sports-themedx bar and interactive game centers acrosws the country, laid off roughly 100 giving each a 60-day administrative leavre package, according to a company Rick Allesandri, an ESPN vice presideny who oversees Zone said in the statement that the restaurantf could not survive the recession. This economic downturn has been marked nationally by reducec consumer spending on eating out and onentertainmentr activities. “A decision like this is never easy. We recognizwe and appreciate the commitment and year s of service of all of these Allesandri said.
“Unfortunately, the current economic environment offered us noother choice.” The ESPN Zone was a 23,000-square-foog meeting place for sports fanatics, with one room featuring more than a dozemn large televisions tuned into contests of all kind and anothetr full of video and sports games rangint from basketball to bowling. None of the eight othe r ESPN Zone locations will be asall “are meeting our said Matt Kovacs, a spokesmeb for the chain. , whicnh owns the Tabor Center, issued a statement saying it was “sorry to hear of theid decision to discontinue theirDenver operations.
” But the closing of ESPN Zone “haa created a new opportunity for us to brinh new concepts to 16th Street,” it said. One of thosee new concepts is The Tilted a Celtic-themed restaurant and sports bar with 20 locationas operating nationwide and another 10 planned. The chain, which is expected to open its Denvefr location this fall and to offer outdoor patio has signedan 8,300-square-foot lease at Tabod Center, according to a news The Tilted Kilt began in Las Vegas in 2003 and is noted for its servers dressed in knee-highn socks, short plaid kilts and midriff-baring plaid halte tops. It will be one of a number of new tenants opening in the Tabor Centerthis year.
“Thesse new additions to Tabor Center’sw retail offering reflect our continuing efforts to enhance the servicexs and amenities for the customers and visitors to theTaboer Center,” said Steve Budorick, executive vice president and partne at Callahan Capital Partners.