Lit up my sparkler
Posted on 07/02/2009 6:44:47 AM PDT by Daffynition
For many, bikini-clad women and fireworks stands are sure signs that summer is here.
But some Puyallup citizens say the two don’t belong together.
Taking a clue from the area’s proliferation of bikini espresso joints, a stand called Nearly Naked Fireworks opened June 28 on the corner of North Meridian Street and Fifth Avenue Northeast.
Neighbors who live on the north end of downtown Puyallup are not happy. As of Wednesday afternoon, a total of 17 people had contacted Puyallup city officials to complain about the bikini fireworks stand.
One resident, Annie Starwich Claeys, said the main issue is the stand’s close proximity to Grayland Park, a popular destination for parents and their kids. The park is less than a block away from the fireworks stand, which occupies part of a Walt’s Auto Care Center parking lot.
The sign for the business – which reads “Nearly Naked Fireworks” in block letters, flanked by female silhouettes – is particularly offensive, Claeys said.
“We have lots of young families with young children who are walking past that every day to go to the park,” said Claeys, who has three children under 16. “I just don’t think it’s appropriate by a grade school or a park. It’s just tacky.”
Puyallup City Manager Gary McLean said city officials aren’t wild about having the bikini fireworks stand on Meridian, the city’s main thoroughfare. But there aren’t any laws under which the city can regulate the stand or its attention-grabbing sign, he said.
“Simply put, nudity is prohibited, but wearing a bikini is not,” McLean said. “Local governments are not allowed to regulate speech in the private sector, so we can’t censor the name.”
Business owner Rikk Martin said he decided to open the stand this year after noticing the success of coffee stands that employ bikini baristas.
“It seems like it sells coffee – it should sell fireworks,” Martin said Wednesday.
He said he thinks people who are upset about the business are overreacting.
“You see girls dressed as scantily clad as mine at any park you go to,” Martin said. “It’s nothing obscene.”
Outside the stand on Wednesday, one bikini-clad employee stood on the street corner holding a sign that read, “Discount Fireworks.” A few cars honked at her as they drove past.
A sign inside the fireworks tent read, “Don’t be afraid to stare... That’s what there here for [sic].”
One employee, 26-year-old Tiffany Shull, said she was happy to work in a bikini to beat the heat.
“On a day like this, you don’t want to be all geared up,” said Shull, who has an 8-year-old son and studies radiology at Tacoma Community College. “It’s very nice to wear this instead of sweats and a tank.”
Walt’s Auto Care Center, which owns the land the fireworks stand sits on, has received two complaints about the business, said Ken Pierce, a district manager for the auto care chain.
Pierce said enough citizen complaints could cause the company to reconsider whether to approve a lease agreement with Nearly Naked Fireworks next year.
“Any time you get people who are concerned, we take it seriously,” Pierce said.
The fireworks stand will close for the year the evening of July 4. Martin said he’s not sure whether he will open a fireworks stand with the same concept next year.
Steve Shores, another Puyallup resident who wrote the city to complain, said he thinks the fireworks stand gives people a negative image of the community as they drive down Meridian Street.
“It is the gateway to Puyallup,” Shores said. “We need to put our best foot forward there. Are we really doing that?”
What’s the big deal? girls dress just as scantily in the mall, in winter. Don’t these people ever go to a beach?
I like the sign on the back wall - “Don’t be afraid to stare, that’s what there(sic) here for”.
Good thing Tiffany is putting her investment in a bad boob job to good use.
Well... there apparently may be a slight variation then, from what I know.... but that wouldn’t be unusual, I guess...
Naahhhhh ... I’m a morning man, myself .... mornings are just fine.
Good Lord....they better not ever take their kids to the beach or a water park. The horror !
I suppose most of their fireworks customers are shopping for torpedoes.
WOW! Look at the size of those sparklers!
is just crazy talk I say...crazy talk!!
Lit up my sparkler
Is that a bottle rocket in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me.
I fully embrace this form of capitalisim. Or... I would like to embrace it. A few times.
Pronounce “Willamette”, “Scappoose”, “Sequim”, “Hoquiam”, “Deschutes”, and “Tualatin” correctly, and I’ll know you’re from the PNW.
those folks whining sound like some freepers who shall remain nameless
but you know who u are...lol
(not either of u)
I’ve never heard it pronounced that way before. Star Traveler had it right.
Bingo...
They usually lose at Willamette... :-)
Cantaloupes for breakfast! Never too early for that.
Best FOOT? Maybe, maybe not. I can't see her feet.
If he needs a spot for next year’s stand, he can use my front lawn, free of charge.
More evidence please
Heh heh...every time.
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