No cleavage with your coffee; Everett stand does an about face
Jul 3, 2024, 3:31 PM | Updated: 3:33 pm
Bikini baristas have had to fight battles over dress codes, but now the owner of one chain is caught by the IRS. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
It seems that we haven’t heard the last of what ladies wear when serving coffee in Everett. For over a decade, the hot pink drive-thru near 41st Street and Rucker Avenue was known for its coffee served with very little clothing. However, things have changed.
The former Hillbilly Hotties bikini barista stand, which faced legal battles over its dress code, now has a new look and name: Ruby’s Espresso.
Ruby’s Espresso, now painted white with black trim, sits across from another coffee stand with clothed baristas.
The new owners, Chellce and Tyler McCaffery, decided to rename the stand after their 3-week-old daughter, Ruby. Their goal is to create a family-friendly environment.
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“Cleaning up the town,” Chellce told the Everett Herald. “And having a legacy for her when she gets older.”
Unlike the previous dress code controversy, Ruby’s baristas won’t be showing as much skin. However, the Everett City Council updated the dress code to align with lewd conduct laws, allowing baristas to show plenty.
The McCafferys hope to leave a legacy for their daughter. As they open additional Ruby’s locations, they want to maintain a wholesome country cottage aesthetic.
The former Hillbilly Hotties bikini barista stand gained notoriety for its coffee served by scantily clad baristas.
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A yearslong legal battle ensued after the city enforced a restrictive dress code due to complaints about baristas wearing minimal clothing, including body paint, stickers and G-strings.
In 2017, a lawsuit against the city argued that the dress code was unconstitutional and violated baristas’ rights. The case resulted in a $500,000 settlement from the city to Hillbilly Hotties’ owner, Jovanna Edge.
Fans of bikini coffee stands shouldn’t lament. Stands such as Teeny Bikini, Chicka Latte and Ladybug Espresso continue to exist in the area.
Bill Kaczaraba is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here. Follow Bill on X, formerly known as Twitter, here and email him here.
