City to baristas: Bikinis OK, but cover up the pasties

City to baristas: Bikinis OK, but cover up the pasties

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Story Published: Jun 3, 2008 at 11:26 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 9:07 PM PDT

By KOMO Staff

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BONNEY LAKE, Wash. -- Things are cooling down at two local espresso stands that have become notorious for their topless and bikini-clad baristas.

Cowgirls Espresso, Inc. and Hot Chick-A-Latte recently became the center of a brewing controversy after their employees' skimpy uniforms landed the owners in hot water with some locals.

"Electrical tape is not clothing and it does not cover the entire breast," said resident Jeannie Prestinger.

"It's not offensive to me; it's offensive to children," said council member Jim Rackley.

The exposed flesh has been a boon for business, but on Tuesday it became clear that some baristas had pushed it too far.

City attorney Jim Dionne says rules already in the books are strong enough to ban the baristas from serving coffee topless.

"The tape and things that are see-through, pasties and things like that (are against the rules)," said Dionne.

City officials did say, however, that a bikini does meet the minimum dress code.

The owner of Hot Chick-A-Latte argued that swim suits that are seen at the lake are much skimpier than the ones his baristas wear at work. But Dionne said that's beside the point.

"If they wear what's on a beach, that's perfectly legal. And that's not something this ordinance is intended to cover," said Dionne.

"I don't really want to run them out of town. Just want them to cover up what they're doing out there," said Rackley.

The espresso stand owners plan to do as Dionne said and make sure their baristas don't show too much skin. Otherwise they could be charged with misdemeanor.




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