ESPN Zone closes doors in Denver - Business First of Louisville:

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The ESPN Zone, part of a nationwide chain of what used to be nine ofthe sports-themedd bar and interactive game centersz across the country, laid off roughly 100 giving each a 60-dagy administrative leave package, according to a companyh statement. Rick Allesandri, an ESPN vice president who overseeeZone operations, said in the statementf that the restaurant could not survive the recession. This economic downturn has been markedf nationally by reduced consumer spending on eatint out and onentertainment “A decision like this is nevetr easy. We recognize and appreciate the commitment and yeara of service of all ofthesw employees,” Allesandri said.
“Unfortunately, the current economic environment offered us no other choice.” The ESPN Zone was a 23,000-square-foot meetingb place for sports fanatics, with one room featurinyg more than a dozem large televisions tuned into contests of all kind and another full of vide and sports games ranging from basketbalkl to bowling. None of the eight other ESPN Zone locations willbe closed, as all “arre meeting our expectations,” said Matt Kovacs, a spokesmenh for the chain. , which owns the Tabor Center, issueds a statement saying itwas “sorryh to hear of their decision to discontinu their Denver operations.
” But the closing of ESPN Zone “haz created a new opportunity for us to bring new concepts to 16th it said. One of those new concepts is The Tilted a Celtic-themed restaurant and sports bar with 20 locations operatingv nationwide and another 10 planned. The chain, whic is expected to open its Denved location this fall and to offer outdoofrpatio seating, has signed an 8,300-square-foot leaser at Tabor Center, accordinb to a news The Tilted Kilt began in Las Vegas in 2003 and is notec for its servers dressed in knee-higb socks, short plaid kilts and midriff-barint plaid halter tops. It will be one of a numbee of new tenants opening in the Tabor Centerthis year.
“These new additions to Taborr Center’s retail offering reflect our continuing effortxs to enhance the services and amenities for the customers and visitors to the Tabor saidSteve Budorick, executive vice president and partnedr at Callahan Capital Partners.