Last month, another glitzy eatertainment venue closed. World Wrestling Entertainment, producers of "Smackdown," and other pro wrestling events, has shuttered its wrestling-themed "The World" restaurant and in Times Square. The eatery lost more than $18mm in its three years of operation. The World joins other concepts like Models Cafe, All-Star Cafe, Harley Davidson and Television City in the eatertainment graveyard. Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Cafe and Hard Rock Cafe continue to operate, though all have gone through bankruptcy and changed owners due to operating losses.

Explaining the trend in a recent Newsday article, restaurant consultant Arlene Spiegel said, "We are in the age of anti-theme and in the age of reality." She also said this explained the huge popularity of reality television shows.

The World's retail store will stay open until April 26th. [03/30/2003]

February 10, 2012