Bikini barista argues against Everett’s coffee stand regulations

Bikini baristas and attorneys for the City of Everett appeared in U.S. District Court on Tuesday to argue over two new ordinances aimed at regulating the stands.

Amelia Powell, a barista at Hillbilly Hotties, questioned the constitutionality of the ordinances during an interview with KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson.

“It infringes upon our right to express ourselves freely and it also only discriminates against women,” Powell said. “There is not fair and equal protection under this law.”

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Powell cited the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech and expression, as well as the 14th Amendment, which provides for equal protection for citizens under the law.

The first of Everett’s ordinances was passed in August. It established a dress code for all “quick service” restaurants. Employees of such businesses, which include fast food restaurants, food trucks, and coffee stands like Hillbilly Hotties, would be required to cover up and wear a minimum of tank tops and shorts.

The second ordinance changes what is considered “lewd conduct” within the city, adding certain areas of the body to the definition. It also adds a misdemeanor for something defined as “facilitating lewd conduct,” which could affect bikini barista stand owners.

The city argues that the stands engage in what amounts to prostitution, including flashing body parts for extra cash. These new ordinances would help crack down on that kind of behavior.

Powell said the city’s view of what she does for a living is unfair and exaggerated.

“The way the city is trying to make us out is that we’re just a bunch of, you know, criminals,” she said. “Really, it’s not like that. I’m a full-time student. A lot of my coworkers are mothers. We’re daughters. We’re just people that are trying to make the best of what we have.”

Powell said she does not support any behavior that is already illegal under existing laws, including flashing.

“That is absolutely against the law,” she said. “That’s not something that occurs within my company.”

She also pointed out that Hillbilly Hotties has partnered with the Everett Police Department and the Snohomish Sheriff’s Department to allow them access to their in-store cameras.

“We have taken a lot of steps to work with the police department to try to come to a compromise,” she said.

According to the Everett Herald, Judge Marsha Pechman will announce her ruling sometime in the next couple of weeks. Judge Pechman, the Herald stated, asked questions that made it seem like she has doubts about the ordinances.

“We all love our jobs,” Powell said. “I’ve been doing this for 6 years now. I love my job and I love going to work every day.”