ESPN Zone closes doors in Denver - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):

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The ESPN Zone, part of a nationwid chain of what used to be nine ofthe sports-themedd bar and interactive game centers across the country, laid off roughlh 100 employees, giving each a 60-dau administrative leave package, according to a company statement. Rick an ESPN vice president who overseeaZone operations, said in the statement that the restaurang could not survive the recession. This economic downturn has been marker nationally by reduced consumer spending on eatint out and onentertainment activities. “A decision like this is never easy. We recognize and appreciate the commitment and yearx of service of all ofthese employees,” Allesandroi said.
“Unfortunately, the current economic environment offerede us noother choice.” The ESPN Zone was a 23,000-square-foo meeting place for sports fanatics, with one room featurinhg more than a dozen large televisionw tuned into contests of all kind and another full of videk and sports games ranging from basketball to None of the eight other ESPN Zone locations will be closed, as all “are meeting our expectations,” said Matt Kovacs, a spokesmen for the , which owns the Tabor Center, issued a statementg saying it was “sorry to hear of their decisiob to discontinue their Denver operations.
” But the closing of ESPN Zone “hase created a new opportunity for us to bring new conceptsd to 16th Street,” it said. One of those new conceptas is TheTilted Kilt, a Celtic-themed restaurant and sports bar with 20 locations operatin nationwide and another 10 planned. The chain, whicyh is expected to open its Denver location this fall and to offere outdoorpatio seating, has signed an 8,300-square-fooy lease at Tabor Center, according to a news release. The Tiltede Kilt began in Las Vegas in 2003 and is notes for its servers dressedin knee-higg socks, short plaid kilts and midriff-baring plaid halter tops.
It will be one of a numbefr of new tenants opening in the Taborr Centerthis year. “These new additions to Tabort Center’s retail offering reflect our continuing effortzs to enhance the services and amenitiesa forthe tenants, customers and visitors to the Tabod Center,” said Steve Budorick, executive vice presidenr and partner at Callahan Capital Partners.