Posted on 05/22/2008 7:59:51 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
EVERETT -- It's a fad that's picking up steam in Snohomish County's hyper-competitive coffee market.
Espresso drive-through stands with bikini- and lingerie-sporting baristas are popping up from Monroe to Edmonds.
In the past year, at least six of these java joints employing provocatively dressed young women have opened in the county.
A few owners of these roadside stands say business is so brisk, they're hiring more employees and have plans to open new locations.
"I brought a touch of Vegas back to Washington," said Bill Wheeler, who opened Grab 'N' Go Espresso on Highway 99 just south of Everett last year.
Wheeler says he aims to soon operate a dozen stands in Washington and Nevada, including one with male baristas in tight Speedos and bowties.
Sometimes wearing little more than pasties and bikini bottoms, the scantily clad baristas at Wheeler's stands have scores of well-tipping customers.
While customers are expressing support with their pocketbooks, some people are complaining that these new businesses are pushing boundaries too far.
They've told law enforcement officers and elected officials that they think the stands should be more tightly regulated.
"I'm not against people making money," said Kimberly Gainza, 37, of Everett. "What I'm against is how they're going about doing it. It's not right -- on a road where everybody can see."
Gainza got a jolt a few weeks ago while stuck in traffic on Highway 99. She spotted a barista with bright blue stickers strategically placed on her chest standing at a stand's drive-up window.
As long as genitals and nipples are covered, police say the stands do not violate indecent exposure laws. Health officials and state Labor and Industries officials say there are no clothing requirements for baristas.
(Excerpt) Read more at heraldnet.com ...
I agree, very non-decorative. Maybe the green-eyed monster is the reason she's protesting. lol
I was in Seattle a couple of weeks ago and I saw this. I couldn’t believe my eyes! Made me want to get some coffee...
"Would you like cream with your coffee?"
My only problem with this comes when I realize that the young women doing this are young enough to be my daughter, and then some. It makes me feel old! :(
Personally, I find the concept of $4 a cup coffee more offensive than scantily clad servers.
Hmmm, my pulse rate is up and I haven’t even had my first cup this morning.
I may stop by there, but only with my wife in the car. ;>)
QUESTION:
Would any of you men let your own daughter work at one of these places?
Won’t last. In politically correct Seattle, some fat girl will sue one of these stands claiming she wasn’t hired because she’s fat and win a huge payday. The rest will fall like dominos. Welcome to Seattle.
No, but on the same token, I don’t drink coffee either.
You pretty much have to accept if your daughter grows up to be a stripper or work in porn, you pretty much failed as a father.
Well don't go there then.
There's a Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins right there on 70. Better coffee, less attitude.
I wouldn’t put the blame entirely on the parents when daughters choose such “careers”. I’ve seen plenty of selfish trainwrecks (male and female) that came from very good loving homes and put their parents through hell.
Funny! The sign would work if it said, “Some Women....”
Let's open one together. In Atlanta proper they can be lawfully nekkid. I bet that'll put a bump in Starbucks' business. Plus we could charge whatever we want if the wimmin are pretty enough.
Cutters Point coffee houses (gig harbor/tacoma) do not have scantily clad girls, but they do make it a point to hire only very cute females. It has paid off.
If i just had the collatral, I would seriously put it down. I’m going through some rough financial spots, though.
I helped raise a girl for the past couple of years, as she blossomed from a teenage brat to a woman. I would absolutely condone her working somewhere like this.
Because?
Because what? I don’t understand what you’re asking for reasoning behind.
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