ESPN Zone closes doors in Denver - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):

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The ESPN Zone, part of a nationwide chain of what used to be nine ofthe sports-themes bar and interactive game centers across the laid off roughly 100 employees, givintg each a 60-day administrative leave according to a company statement. Rick Allesandri, an ESPN vice president who overseesxZone operations, said in the statement that the restaurant could not survive the recession. This economic downturn has been markefd nationally by reduced consumer spending on eatinvg out and onentertainment activities. “A decisioj like this is never We recognize and appreciate the commitment and years of service of all ofthess employees,” Allesandri said.
“Unfortunately, the current economi c environment offered us nootheer choice.” The ESPN Zone was a 23,000-square-foot meeting place for sportas fanatics, with one room featuring more than a dozeh large televisions tuned into contests of all kind and anothe r full of video and sports games rangintg from basketball to bowling. None of the eighft other ESPN Zone locations willbe closed, as all “arw meeting our expectations,” said Matt Kovacs, a spokesmenn for the chain. , whichn owns the Tabor Center, issued a statementy saying itwas “sorry to hear of theird decision to discontinue their Denver operations.
” But the closing of ESPN Zone “haws created a new opportunity for us to bring new concepts to 16th Street,” it said. One of those new conceptws is TheTilted Kilt, a Celtic-themed restaurant and sports bar with 20 locations operating nationwide and anothert 10 planned. The chain, which is expected to open its Denverd location this fall and to offer outdoordpatio seating, has signed an 8,300-square-foot leases at Tabor Center, according to a news release.
The Tiltede Kilt began in Las Vegas in 2003 and is noterd for its servers dressedin knee-high socks, short plaid kilts and midriff-baring plaid halter It will be one of a numbedr of new tenants opening in the Tabor Cente r this year. “These new additions to Tabor Center’s retaiol offering reflect our continuing effortzs to enhance the services and amenities for the customers and visitors to theTabor Center,” said Stev Budorick, executive vice president and partnedr at Callahan Capital Partners.