Bare-Skinned Baristas

A couple weeks ago I was early picking up my grand daughter for a driving lesson. I stopped at a coffee stand I used to frequent when in the area. I pulled into line and started digging in my purse for my wallet. Money in hand, I waited my turn. I noticed the structure--a coffee pot shaped building--had been painted. To my surprise, I recognized the paint job as the one belonging to Cowgirls--X rated.

Well I'm not a prude, nor one to judge. I understand that the ladies earn more tips if they show more skin. It's their choice to cover it up or let it all hang out. My barista chose the latter.

Though I got some strange looks from the men in line, I stayed put and waited for service. The young lady was beautiful, toned, tanned and wore her skimpy outfit well. She was pleasant and provided good service.

As I pulled around the car being serviced in the other lane I had to chuckle at the driver. His mouth was open taking in the back-side view of the barista while she was bending over, cheeks showing, serving the driver on the other side.

I have to say I got a few chuckles watching the guys' eyes pop out of their heads. I truly wish I had had my camera.

As for me, I prefer my coffee with a lid on it; it stays hotter longer.

September 22, 2008. KOMOTV.com.

BONNEY LAKE - Some local residents who are steaming mad over half-naked baristas serving coffee at local espresso stands took their protest to the streets Saturday.

Dozens of the local residents lined the roadside outside one of the stands, Hot Chic-A-Latte, holding signs that said, "Public Nudity Not OK" and "Pasties and Lingerie Should Not Be in Public View."

"The bikinis are one thing. That can be worn on the beach and seen in public. But you don't see lingerie or pasties on a beach, and I think that's what this Washington state law is," said a woman taking part in the protest.

She and many of the others want the city council to pass a law prohibiting the scantily clad baristas. And the city's mayor is considering ordinances to force the coffee stands into the adult entertainment zone.

But Russ Parrish, owner of Hot Chic-A-Latte, said the city better be prepared to pay his relocation costs if it takes that step.

"If the city would like something to happen - if they would like to financially take care of relocation costs for us or any other business, I'd be more than willing to participate in that," he said.

Cowgirls Espresso CEO Scott Arbuckle argues what the customers see at his store is no different from what what they'd see at the beach.

When asked whether it was acceptable for the baristas to dress as if they were at the beach since they were, in fact, working at a coffee stand, Arbuckle acknowledged that the two locations were distinctly different, which is exactly why his baristas' attire has been attention-grabbing.

"That's right and that's why we're having this conversation," he said. "It's unusual, its unusual and it's different. It didn't just happen yesterday."