Bikini barista battle brewing in Edmonds
Jul 26, 2016, 6:24 AM | Updated: 10:04 am
The owner of Beehive Espresso says the city doesn’t have the legal authority to keep his baristas from wearing bikinis. (KIRO 7)
(KIRO 7)
After complaints from citizens, the Edmonds City Council will consider an ordinance that would add a public indecency law to the books that would affect bikini barista stands.
Currently, there’s only one bikini barista stand in the city — Beehive Espresso, just off Highway 99 — though the city also used to be home to Java Juggs — a stand that likely prompted a lot of complaints over the years.
Java Juggs was shut down after several situations where the baristas were exposing themselves to customers for extra cash. In 2014, the owner was convicted of conspiracy to promote prostitution and money laundering.
The ordinance the Edmonds City Council is considering Tuesday would more clearly define what’s considered nudity, what’s considered obscene, and what would be categorized as a public place, KIRO 7 reports.
The owner of Beehive Espresso told KIRO 7 he’ll follow the rules, whatever the council decides, though he thinks the city doesn’t have the legal authority to keep his baristas from wearing bikinis.
He’s hoping to be part of the discussion, as the city considers a change in law at a meeting Tuesday night.
