Bikini espresso stand to open on 15th

Geeky Swedes Ballard

A new espresso stand plans to open next month in the parking lot of the 76 gas station at NW 58th and 15th Ave NW.

We spoke with the owner, Mike Rockey, who says “Knotty Bodies Espresso” will have girls in lingerie and bikinis serving Java Java Coffee. He says that this will be a “classy” espresso stand and won’t have girls in pasties or other revealing clothing. “You see more at the beach than what you’re going to see here,” he told us. He says more than 200 people responded to his Craigslist ad for the five open positions. He knows that these stands can get some bad press, and he understands that they’re not for everyone. He says that if you don’t like what it’s about, you can always go elsewhere for your coffee. The espresso stand is scheduled to open the middle of July, and he plans on doing a car wash in August to raise money for Children’s Hospital.

Geeky Swedes

The founders of My Ballard

193 thoughts to “Bikini espresso stand to open on 15th”

  4. >he suggests that if you don’t like what it’s about, you can go someplace else for your coffee.

    Wow. An entrepreneur opening up a business and engaging in preemptive arguments with his prospective clientele. He must be pretty, uh, confident.

    I think I'll take his advice.

  7. To be fair, these places get a lot of flack. So I don't blame him for being preemptively defensive about it. But he should reel it in a little. It doesn't look good to start out blustering.

  14. good. beat it. as an owner, he has the right to do want he wants. You don't see people protesting the male dancers at Centerfolds or the stank creatures at The Sands, do you?

    you should see the nutcases up in Everett that sit outside the boobie baristas, write down license plate numbers and call the number on work trucks that go there. There's no nudity and it's harmless fun. Get a grip.

  18. “Try to put yourself into the mindset of a 13-year-old boy. Who can drive. And has disposable income for coffee. Huge market, great growth potential.”

    Except that here in the state of Washington you need to be 16 to have a license drive.

    Really though? We're going to pretend these are controversial? Sands, a strip club, is closer to the high school than this place.

  20. hmm.. I heard no mention of anyone being forced to do anything…It certainly ain't “classy”, but it ain't prostitution either..

  22. I'm with you ninaf.

    Please people, there must be something more important to get all worked up over. Then again this is Ballard so maybe there isn't.

  23. I would not call it controversial, but I would say it TACKY!

    Well, the least we can hope for at this point is that it is fresh, organic, and local!

  27. As an owner, he shouldn't come off as a defensive SOB right off the bat. It doesn't sound like he's going to handle customer complaints very well.
    I have nothing against bikini baristas at all. Everybody has a right to make a living in any way they can.

  28. ” It doesn't sound like he's going to handle customer complaints very well.”

    What, like, “Excuse me, can I get a refund, there's a short curly hair on my cappuccino”?

  32. Several comments:
    1. Awesome. More boobies is better than less boobies.

    2. It is right across the street from St. Paul's. Love the irony.

    3. A business owner has a right to market in whatever way they choose as long as it stays within the law.

    4. If you don't want to go, don't. If it has bad coffee, I likely won't go on a regular basis. If it has good coffee, it will go into my rotation.

  33. one is being forced if it's part of the dress code. i know, i know, they have a choice to work somewhere else. the community needs to not solicit the place and they will dry up and go away! money speaks volumes!!!

  34. Sort of off topic – At my old gym out east, they had hooters come in one night for a grand re-opening. They were brought in to supply hot wings and crappy hour fare. Man, the chubby hags they brought with them. It never made sense to me. How can you sell new gym memberships by promoting unhealthy food, with doughy bimbos? I mean, the women at that gym were so strong, fit and confident and that does not begin to describe them physically…. it provided some real contrast.

  36. How can this possibly be a “classy” espresso stand (according to the owner) when it's on 15th, atop the parking lot of a gas station, a few blocks from the fenced in Denny's site (which is a magnet for riff-raff), and they don't even have any cement sofas to sit on? Just the visual makes it appear as classy as…well, as nothing! Maybe he meant “classy” without the first two letters.

  38. Non-issue. The majority of the public prefers interacting with attractive people. It's why the stereotype for stewardess/cheerleader/secretary/PR girl/news anchor/barrista is “hot young woman”.

    There's no controversy here; just simple and infinitely-verified social science.

  39. What I find entertaining about these places is their owners somehow believe showing some boobies crammed into a bikini top will make up for the crappy coffee. For me, I'd rather just have a good cup of coffee. I'll go someplace else if I want to see some boobies.

  40. Oh, YEAH. Kitty-corner from St. Alphonsus parish, and right across from their playground!

    This will probably get interesting. But maybe the AM/PM mart wanted to piss off the Catholics.

  42. Well lets see… homeless van dwelling crack smoking beggars fresh from a nap in the park(s) wearing lingerie and mixing up the legal medicine. That might do the trick.

  45. “one is being forced if it's part of the dress code.”

    Oh geez. You're making it out as if these ladies were already working at this place and wearing fetching Hillary Clinton pant-suits, when suddenly they were told to put on swimsuits or hit the bricks. A craigslist ad was posted, explaining what the job had in store, and 200 women applied. I'd like to find out how many of them feel like they're being objectified.

    Seriously, your self-righteous indignation can only go so far…

  46. “This is Ballard – not Lynnwood or Auburn.
    Why do we have to allow any more trash than we already have to deal with?”

    Whatever, Chadwick. It's hard to understand what you're saying, when that silver spoon is jabbing the back of your throat.

  47. Hey Roy….it's St AL'S (short for St Alphonsus), not St Pauls. I went to school there myself, and do think its kind of funny that they would choose to put this kind of business right across the street from a Catholic church & grade school. But I guess it's acceptable because after all, you know you won't see a priest there anytime soon! Due to the lack of boy scouts serving a “stiff espresso” :)

  48. No, we DON'T need stands for ladies and gay men. We need more breasts. Our economy wouldn't be in shambles if everyone started their day with a cup of coffee, a bear claw and some titties.

  50. Have you seen flight attendants in the US? Good God, nothing appealing about them unless your pi**ed off grandmother gets you excited.

  51. I think they should do a fundraiser for my 3 Day Walk. Raising money to save boobies seems more appropriate than Children's Hospital to me!!

    I think it's a little crass, but more power to 'em!

  54. Every espresso stand that opened around that location for the last six years has closed down. That area has enough drunken crazies and homeless loosers as it is. The gas station mart that is there has been robbed several times during that time period. This espresso stand is going to like a lightning rod and the police are going to get a lot of complaints from the people working at the espresso stand. Count on it.

  55. Those little ladies better carry mace.
    I'm not worried about the homeless causing trouble. But I have a feeling the drunken crazies will cause these girls some problems.

  56. LOL… indeed. This is exactly what I was thinking. I can see bums going up to the baristas and hitting on them, hoping for a dollar. Or trying to sell Real Change.

    I love how 200 women want to be sexually objectified and make crappy coffee for a job. I bet most of them are ex-cheerleaders from Ballard High that rub butts nightly at clubs. Sad.

    … But hey, I look pretty good in a bikini, so if I ever need a minimum wage job, at least I have a new place on my list next to 7-11 and McDonalds.

  57. A bikini top? gasp!

    What is this, 1950? I feel like supporting it just to thumb my nose at the prudes that automatically oppose this place.

    It's near a church, so what? Aren't we all within a few blocks of a church?

    Nobody is being forced to work here. It's 5 new jobs that weren't there before, and MAYBE just maybe some good coffee.

    And while it's brave for the owner to come out with the “go someplace else” statement, I think it's smart. It dismisses the naysayers who he'd never win over anyways–they're too busy judging and thumping their bibles and burning bras to go there, anyways.

  63. Should fit right in with the drug deals that go down in that parking lot. Get your meth and caffeine all in one Pit Stop, plus a show!

  64. You ever get a look at the gals going in and out of the Ballard Athletic Club or 24 Hr Fitness? Hardly butch.
    And I don't have any tattoos, but I don't waste my time making cracks about those who do. My tattooed friends are good people, actually. And very beautiful.

  68. I'm not going to argue about another drive-through espresso stand as long as they have good coffee. The only bikini-bar espresso stand I've been too messed up my order and scalded my espresso, but that probably had nothing to do with bikinis. I just wish my husband wouldn't giggle when he orders coffee from the baristas. Sigh.

  70. Do people really do that – write down license plates and call employers to tell them their employees stopped at a drive-through to get espresso? That's … weird to say the least.

  71. The Sands is closer to the high school. In fact, I've seen girls at Ballard High in clothes that are almost as small as bikinis. I'm not sure what their moms are thinking.

  72. The moms are thinking (when the girls come home) – “why is that shirt so wrinkled? (because they stuffed them in their backpacks as soon as they were out the door)

  73. Yeah, there's a “costume” stand already down on Holman. I can't remember the name. I went there once with my toddler in the back (didn't realize it was a floor-to-ceiling plate glass with ladies – I just needed espresso). They were totally cooing at him and he was loving it. They were dressed like “Heidi” that day – if Heidi was trying to sell herself . . . anyway the coffee was crap. I ended up pouring it out.

  75. I know which place you're talking about on Holman – I can't remember the name either. I will make a point not to get coffee from there if it's not any good. The place I stopped at was up on Hwy 9 by Snohomish, I was on my way home and just needed some espresso for the long drive. Ironically, the next time I was driving home that way I stopped at a different drive-through on Hwy 9 that wasn't a “bikini” stand and the girls were a lot cuter and the coffee was excellent. They called the other drive-through the “ho-shack”. Apparently there was some competition going on there. If this guys new place has good coffee they might do alright, but I don't think skimpy clothes can make up for bad coffee in the long run – it's just not a solid business plan. Why can't skimpy clothes and good coffee go together? It's make it easier for us moms who can always use another good drive-through coffee place (at least for those of us who don't care what – or what not – our barista is wearing as long as she can make a good cup of coffee). I'm thinking I need to start the first ever bikini drive through espresso place with Cafe Darte coffee …

  76. Agree. If it's good coffee I couldn't care less what the barista was wearing. We'll have to wait and see about that. If it's good coffee, it's actually in a convenient spot for me. That was the trouble with the last two stands that were in that spot, though. Really bad coffee.
    Using Cafe Darte would help. Or whatever that lovely brew the Fair Trade cafe serves.

  79. The place on Holman is Chicka Latte. I've never been there nor would ever dream of going for that matter! I was driving along Aurora in Shoreline a couple of weeks ago and there was a car wash going on at a similar-sounding coffee place to the one opening on 15th. Lots of girls/ladies dressed in teeny-weeny bikinis, and all sorts of guys having their trucks and jeeps washed and taking photos. Traffic on Aurora was almost at a standstill. I don't care where people buy their coffee, but don't appreciate it when traffic is appreciably delayed because of scantily dressed peeps putting on a show. Hope this won't be the case with this new espresso stand and its bare-istas!

  80. What a bunch of uptight prudes! Geez, Seattle has got to be the most sex-negative town on the West Coast!

    My question is, are they going to import attractive women from California, or hire the local “womyn”? I'm partial to Asian babes myself…

  83. I'd rather have five hard-workin' scantily clad drink-slingers than even one more word of pity wasted on the shiftless drunks that New Ballard likes to coddle so much.

    This pocket of the city has been stuffed with do-good P-Patchers who neglected to park their V-dub van when they passed through Fremont. Head on back to your pee-stained street fairs in Fremont, and take your taxation agenda, vegan menus and stanky vagrants with you.

  88. That corner is an armpit. I can't imagine slowing down long enough to even look at that coffee stand much less buy something and put it in my body. Yuk.

  91. i wonder how safe HOT coffee is on your bikini body? i hope they work safe and have no burning accidents. i wonder how they safeguard against that.

  93. Oh brother. Well I do have to say the “original” bikini stand Cowgirls was started by a woman, and in fact profiled on the travel channel show Most Extreme something or other. Kinda cool. I saw his ad on craigslist for hiring, he did NOT state it was that kind of espresso stand although of course the rather dumb name clued me into that. I did reply to the ad asking him if it was that kind of stand, or a “normal” stand, and he never answered me. It's debatable whether posting an ad to hire people without disclosing that you are in effect discriminating in your hiring is legal…I see it all the time though. There are laws about that stuff, but whatever, a business owner can do what they want I guess. I might drive by and check it out, but I still think the name is dumb! hahahaaa

  94. So what is the big deal about being across from a Catholic School?
    Bikini Baristas may be immodest, but it isn't sinful.
    This could be a teachable moment.

  95. Just to clear that up, the CL ad did NOT explain what kind of stand it would be, did not say what the ladies had in store; the name was a clue but the only clue. I saw the ad the day he posted it and it was just like any other ad for a coffee stand hiring people. It did NOT say that it was a girls-only-clad-in-very-little stand! I inquired about the job and he never replied to me, of course. The ad never said it hired only women (debatably legal) or that those gals would be made dress a certain way (scanty or not!). That said he can do what he wants and of course lottsa ladies applied, the job market sucks right now.

  96. hahahhaa well I'm butch with tattoos, as are most of my guy friends, and if you really wanna see what athletic means, well, tell us what bars you hang out at and perhaps we can join you there

  97. Nearly 100 posts?
    ok folks, show me what's really important.
    (not sayin' that knotty bodies aren't interesting, but seriously, what does it mean if the cheapest tall boys in town are right in the same parking lot?)
    Disaster, imho.
    Just add the schools, mix well, poor your heart out ;-(

  98. We enjoyed lovely espresso served up by scantily-clad women in ALL of the coffee shops of Santiago, Chili – 20 years ago. It brightened everyones morning.

  103. Most of these ads try to tell you as little as possible. Just an e-mail or a phone number and they'll weed out people after that. So the ad you respond to may have no intention of hiring you before they even get your resume.
    That said, these girls stuck around after being told what was expected of them. They aren't forced into anything they aren't willing to do.
    And, Chopper, yes, I agree there are an awful lot of comments for this subject. So, I'm shutting my pie hole now.

  104. Chopper–why should it be important? I love reading these posts. Fun. Just like I love reading all the posts about the crime and the meth heads and the homeless. I enjoy all the back and forth. Or, is that back-and-forthiness?

  105. In related news the rent just went up 200% for those apartments in the background with the big windows overlooking the coffee stand.

  107. And what, pray tell, would that lesson be?
    This is acceptable? That this is what our girls should aspire to become?
    Wow, I'll cancel the crappy college plans now…next stop, Playboy!
    This is a white bread version of the 'oldest profession', quite simply.
    Oh, Catholic and the word sane don't belong together, imho.

  108. This isn't about sex. This isn't about coffee. This is about some clown's idea of revenue. I hope he fails.
    I'd suggest a business model that contributes something to the community.
    But, he may laugh all the way to the bank. Thanks Ballard!

  109. Yeah, umm, this is like 2 blocks from me, and was formerly my gas station of choice. Not anymore. No coffee for me here, and no more gas either.

    I just don't get why this is acceptable in a family neighborhood kitty corner from a Catholic Church and School.

    And as for Sands, you can't see in the windows, and kids can't just walk by and get a free show.

    This is just distasteful. It's something that belongs on Pac Highway.

  110. LY, I don't find much to be unimportant. Everything means something. So, we have something to talk about, and a business owner has a lot of advertising in the bank, he'd better appreciate it, and most definitely, those in his employ.
    (holding breath)

  112. wow, a 'work' shirt is gross? (that speaks volumes Nina)
    …I'd hate to think that the public 'titty' is more appealing…
    But alas, it has so become so appealing to too many…

  115. I've half a mind to let you waste every dollar you'd like there…
    Ooops….darn….can't find your stupid wallet…
    It aint smart, I don't give a crap of what year.
    You vote with your dollar, I'll vote with mine.
    Unfortunately, way more idiots than used to be so…
    Remember when common sense was indeed common?

  116. I've never understood this business model.

    Ingestibles + fleshy bits + morning = blargh. It's offputting to roughly half of the potential customer base, and gimmicky coffee is usually mediocre at best.

    Sorry, defensive dude, but I will take a kickass brew served by the Elephant Man over brown water served by hawttt laydeez any day.

  117. Oh, the Methodists have got nothing on the Catholics when it comes to righteous outrage. Just wait until that church finds out it's there.

  120. Yes, I consider a shirt put on before work, tossed in a car and worn the rest of the week during 'work hours' to be gross. I mean, I hope people don't do that but when you wear the same black shirt everyday…..

  122. ah Trix, never shut your pie-hole, seriously.
    Chopper loves you.
    These girls need the work, I'd just hope that they could find better.
    Perhaps, someone else will open something that doesn't cater to the lowest of the low….yeah, with less interest, but still respectable.

  124. Opening a sexpresso stand across from a Catholic church and K-8 school is about as far from classy as you can get. What the hell is wrong with people?

  125. It's called a washing machine. Most people know how to use one. When I worked in a uniform I had two identical sets and washed both frequently. A work shirt isn't necessarily dirty.

  126. Exactly! even if it's not a work provided shirt, do you have this image that every person who serves you coffee or food plucks their clothes from a drycleaning bag before every shift? I'd say the odds are pretty good that it was pulled from a pile on the floor.

    odds are better that your bikini barista showered that day and her skin is better than dirty laundry.

  127. how is seeing someone in a bathing suit going to effect the children at the catholic school? probably not at all. your kid wonders why a woman is working in her swimsuit, tell them because it's hot in a coffee stand.

    calm the eff down.

  131. I think the kids in the Catholic schools have more to worry about from old, monogamous men in white collars than young girls in bikinis.

    Besides, if it weren't for Catholic school girls, where would sexpresso stands find staff?

  132. Catholic and Sane…are you really sane? I would be horrified if this was across the street from my kids school. It teaches boys that it is ok to view women for nothing more than their looks and it teaches girls that all they need to do is be sexy. Kids in this society are already innundated with images of sex, revealing clothing and more sex. The lesson little girls need to learn is to base their value on their smarts, humor and compassion not on how good they look in a bikini.

    The other lesson that should be taught is to the women that work in these booths. They need a lesson in self-respect.

  133. What do you mean by “this is Ballard,” exactly? When I moved to Ballard, that phrase would have expanded to something like, “well of course you can expect to see little old ladies driving their Pontiacs 15 mph, and drunks careening away from the taverns in beater pickup trucks after a long day of work and a long night of drinking, and of course you can get as many varieties of fast food within a block of 15th and Market as on any mile-long stretch of Aurora . . . .”

  135. That is the problem with people. They think it's no big deal the women are in bikinis/lingere. Yes kids see women in bikini's all the time. That's true. The problem is the message that this kind of business sends to kids. That showing your body to make money is ok. It's not. I don't know anyone that would say “I hope my beautiful daughter grows up and works in lingere serving coffee so sleazy people. Or maybe she can make the big bucks and work the pole.”

    The last thing I would want my kids to think is that their value is in their bodies and not in their minds and hearts. That is the message that this type of business sends.

  136. The kids will think its funny or will ignore it after a brief moment of novelty wears off. Watch how they respond to the naked bicyclists at the Solstice Parade–they either laugh, or roll their eyes and say “oh, gross!” It's very humbling.

  142. It's not across the street from the high school. Its across the street from an elementary school.
    I have no problem with bikini baristas, but this one is not in the best place. I wish him luck against the Catholics, though, and look forward to watching what happens.

  143. find me when your daughter turns into a stripper because of this coffee stand and i will change my mind.

    you can't hide them from everything in the world that makes you uncomfortable or you don't like, you take those opportunities to teach them your opinions on the subject. you can cover their eyes from everything, or you can talk to them and teach them values.

  144. I'd just hate to get a pubic hair in my chai, that's all…. ALSO, if you THINK people don't wash their work clothes/shirts/ect, what about bikini's? How often do people wash their bathing suits? Think about it….

    also for safety… I don't know of ANY barista who at some time hasnt spilled steamed milk all over themselves. I think that could be pretty painful if you were only wearing a bikini…

  145. What, in bikinis? Some of us enjoy that and don't find it disgusting. Finding a women sexually attractive is an evolutionary necessity. However, that doesn't mean we're all predators, rapists and perverts and can't show women respect. We are…human. What some of us aren't, is uptight about the choices individuals make about expressing and enjoying their sexuality.

    Maybe you don't believe in evolution, who knows.

  146. Yeah, gender and body roles are screwed up in the US. For example, its for ok for kids to watch a graphic scene of someone blowing somones braings out, or ok to see someone with two swords hanging out of their chest run around in a death cackle with blood squirting out of their chest, but you can't see two naked people kiss, or god forbid the breast feeding woman.

  147. Really? You would be horrified?
    I teach my children what they need to learn….
    I also teach them that secular culture is a blend of many things. We don't just judge and recoil in horror. We discuss the theology of the body and what actions we as catholics are called to take.
    Above all else, I teach that Jesus wanted us to love each other and enjoy the goodness of the world.
    But what the hey – you got your own way of dealing with faith and society – one little coffee stand isn't going to send us all to hell.

  148. i know i like to let my elementary school kids wander across 5 lanes of traffic unattended. but clearly it's the espresso stand's fault here.

  149. what do you mean – monogamous men in white collars? Are you alluding to priests? LOL – don't think they are monogamous.

  150. Tacky and idiotic? Of course but as long as there I a plethora of tacky and idiotic people around there will always be someone working hard to separate them from their money.

  152. Catholic and Sane — thank you for your comment. I think you're the one person here who understands responsible parenting. Regardless of where a pinup coffee stand stand is, it's up to us as parents to provide appropriate education to our children about what they see in the world. I have a young son and my husband and I take great pains every day to educate him about the world he lives in. Mostly, we seek to teach him tolerance and understanding for others — that people can love who they want, dress how they want, live how they want — so that he can, hopefully, grow up to be an enlightened person. Oh, and by the way, both of his parents work what would be defined by many as “blue collar” jobs, so we are out in the world every day.

    What makes America a great place is that we don't legislate what kind of businesses can operate based on one group's religious/moral/other definition of what's appropriate. Whether or not some of the people on this board agree, it is a free society — and in a free society, one encounters things that one agrees with, and not. We all have a choice to decide and believe what we want. I believe that the women that work in that coffee stand want to be there based on their own beliefs about the world — and that they are right with the universe. It's not up to me to define appropriate for them. As a consumer, I decide to vote with my wallet — so if they have a screamin' deal on coffee, and it feels okay to me, I'll go — or not.

    Long live freedom of choice, right?

  153. Put bums in bikinis on bicycles on the Burke trail and it'd be 300 posts for sure. In fact, I'd be willing to pay to see that, maybe Myballard can sponsor.

  155. Would there even be strippers it wasn't for the Catholic church? Seems like these two institutions need each other like fungus needs damp.

  156. Andrea, issues with Cheerleaders seems to be a recurring theme with you. Did you know that the BHS cheerlleaders took third in State this year and have the highest grade point average of any sport team at BHS.

  158. I think having a bikini espresso bar across the street from school will not negate powerful lessons of self-esteem that a child learns at home. Chances are, the kids won't even SEE the girls in the espresso stand, but they learn a lot by watching how their parents act toward each other and towards other people. I don't think that something as innocuous as an espresso stand with girls in bikinis could ever damage a child's self-esteem or concept of self if they are getting the support from home that they need. Otherwise we'd literally have to lock all girls up at home and homeschool them and keep them away from the world if they were that delicate that everything they learned from their parents could disappear just by seeing the outside of a sort of seedy establishment.

  159. I don't think there's any problem with germs – they wash their hands just like everyone else. And having been a barista I can tell you that clothes or no clothes the rest of your body outside of your hands is not coming in contact with the coffee. I'm more concerned about them getting burned by steaming the milk. Although, the couple places I've seen the girls do get to wear skimpy aprons so they don't burn their tummies on accident.

  161. I am going to patronize this stand just because it annoys the beejeezus out of all of the politically correct prudes in this stuffy-ass city.

  162. Come on – we should push for a national “go to work in your swimsuit” day! Seriously, who wouldn't want to go to work and stare at your coworkers in their bikini's and Speedo's? I for one want to start my day w/boobs and coffee, followed by being greeted by our receptionist in a thong, a little board meeting w/barely clad middle aged flabbies; yes, exactly! I can't wait!!

    Are you really that undersexed that you need tits and tea? Man, if so, that's pretty sad….unless they make a Hellavu cup a joe. Otherwise, I just don't get it. But whatever – my idea of heaven would be a latte stand that writes will call my boss and tell him I'm home sick.

  163. Hey – hey, another witty and totally unreadable post by the great “chopper74.” I knew I would find you here on this post telling poeple how they should act, or how they should spend thier money, or how they should vote in a democratic republic; because that's what you do–meddle in other poeple's business–without taking into account your own behaivior of scanning over some under-read blog for one post to comment on with a completely unintelligable post – changing the world “chopper74,” good work.

  164. And our “boys” should aspire to be full grown men that post infantile beliefs on community blog sites – cause really thats also admirable “chopper74.”

  165. “Ninaf” don't take anything “chopper74” says seriously, he is the epitomy of zelout; also most of his posts are unreadable and void of a point so I found its best simply not to respond – he thinks he is saving the world posting here but I say intelligable conversation would go a lot farther, I mean “public 'titty'” whatever that is went over like a lead airplane, at least to this reader.

  166. “Chopper74” is not the moderator here “Trix” (although I suspect he views himself like that), so say whatever the F you want to say, seriously; wasted time is your wasted time – don't let some crazy dude living in his moms basement at the age of 35 tell you what to do.

  168. lol, I get notified of replies to my posts, Mr. Stalker. You have responded to more of them than anyone else. Perhaps you should follow your own advice, before you start lending it out.
    btw, I don't mind at all that most of my posts sail over your head. But, I don't understand how they could then get under your skin…

  169. how are you impacted by a barista spilling steamed milk on herself bikini or not? that's a choice best left to the individual as is your patronage of an establishment like this.

    if it's so appalling and ridiculous, people will vote with their dollars and it will be gone just like the other poor attempts at coffee service along that corridor.

  171. Just doing my part to battle what I think is the real problem with Ballard right now; the more people that take notice to how distracting you are to intelligent discourse the better.

  174. I just read all these comments (yeah, I know its waaayyyyy past my bed time, but this is waaayyyy better than NCIS re-runs!) and I have never laughed so hard and cried so many tears all at the same time!!! Man, we are sure a mess!!

  175. Isn't there an elementary school directly accross the street with a playground? I'm a pretty liberal seattleite – but putting a “sexy” coffee stand intented to tittilate its customers isn't cool when it's directly accross the street from an elementary school and a church!

  176. There are street drunks fighting and pissing on the sidewalk right on that block. I think most people would find that much more of a danger to the children. Not to mention the sensibilities of all those darn nuns. I think a drunk mans penis waving around is a little more harsh than a bikini clad barista.

  178. and a wet T-shirt contest in Sept no doubt!
    Thank goodness for coffee – whatever would these poor young ladies do?
    OMG! they'd have to go work at that creept lap dance place.

  180. There is so much inconsistency in this mini-debate.

    Ethics. Why is it OK for a business owner to discriminate by only hiring women that he thinks look good in a bikini? Just because the economy is bad doesn't give someone the right to ignore federal laws to make a quick buck. Having 200 applicants doesn't justify intentional discrimination or legitimize a flawed business model.

    Concern for the Poor. Why is it OK to insult the homeless men and women who struggle with alcoholism? For a city that isn't religious, there are a whole lot of people who want to define their holiness by what they do and don't do. Just because you are proud of your own disciplined and civilized lifestyle doesn't exempt you from lending a helping hand to someone in need and helping them on the road to recovery.

    Consistency in our Sexual Ethic. Why are we concerned about what our baristas wear and we don't care one bit about what kids are saying and doing in school? If Seattleites were truly compared about community and healthy behavior, we would care about both.

    Classism. Why is it OK for people to be arrogant and classist by insulting lower income neighborhoods? Surely these people don't think that they are a better and more valuable people because peers in their socioeconomic strata fuel their lust in more expensive and sophisticated ways, behind closed doors. If paying women to wear revealing clothing conflicts with your beliefs, then say so. Geographic location and income should have no place in the discussion.

    What would it look like if Seattleites actually loved other people, instead of using them as foils in order to pad their own ego? I think that the response to this article has demonstrated that we have a long, long way to go.

  181. When I worked as a barista I was constantly spilling steamed milk and hot coffee on my apron. I can't imagine doing the work in a bikini. I hope his new hires are more graceful coffee slingers than I was.

  183. The stand is not even open yet and the coffee is being called crappy? Perhaps put your assumptions aside and give it a try once the place actually starts serving. The coffee that is being served is supplied from a great coffee roaster who has been in the coffee business over 20 years. Some of the baristas have years of experience as well. You might be surprised. It sounds like a fun atmosphere, get over yourself.

  184. That's hilarious! Bikinis are right there with underwear… I don't know about YOU Melissa but I wash my underwear after each time I use it, as with my bathing suits. I'm assuming majority of the population does the same. You have a very ridiculous argument here.

  186. hahaha! “One is being forced if it's part of the dress code.” So the girls must have been forced to respond to the craigslist ad and on top of that forced into being hired despite their lack of willingness to wear the outfits. No, I don't think so. Your argument is laughable.

  187. Just tried it today – I guess it's the first day of business for them. The coffee is just ok; not terrible but not great. The barista was lovely in her bikini, but I don't really see the point of “sexy coffee.” It also seemed like she didn't have a lot of experience making espresso drinks. So if you want to look at a beautiful woman for 30 seconds or so and spend $3 for a so-so latte, I guess it's the place for you. I can't say I didn't enjoy it, but I care too much about the quality of the brew to go back again.

  188. Sounds like Trish has herself some personal investment in this…geez…..looks like another nasty thing that I don't want my kids to see when I pass bye, cause I'm NEVER giving my money to it. We need less of this in our society not more. The kids that go to school next to this do not deserve to be subjected to such things. Come on. OK, go ahead an slam me for being whatever, but girls should never have to lower themselves to men to make a buck. It's awful. I saw the pics of the girls now that it's open looking all lusty for a dollar, makes my stomach churn. Money is not why you give those eyes ladies,…love is.

  189. I have been to this coffee stand several times and have had great, friendly service and a great cup of coffee. Before people pass judgement maybe one should think about how much money, work, time and effort goes into starting a coffee stand, or any business for that matter. We all go to the beach and some women are wearing much less than this. These girls are all working just like the rest of us and it doesn't make them any less of a woman or a person because they wear a bikini to work. Nor does it mean that they are in any form of prostitution or anything close to that. Everytime I have had a cup of coffee here the price is great, it tastes wonderful and they girls are always professional and courteous.

  190. Im still waiting for them to go topless, I'd have such a coffee buzz if hey went topless.
    Hmm judgemental Christian's go fucking figure.Well I was thinking bout attending that church no now.
    I can't even excersice my puppy in that church's parking lot by throwing my ball with my puppy those chrisitians sure got a lot of bogus rules don't they, just look at whose complaing. How many people been killed in the name of christianity, and how many people been killed in the name of Islam, im not Islam just saying.
    My two cents

  191. It's not the same, wearing a bikini for the purpose of titillation (Sex sells) and wearing a bkini to the beach. When the intent is to fishbowl the attire so as to generate a higher profit than simply selling the product, that's called adult entertainment, sometimes it's called “adult theatre”. The same as a strip club. A lot of people, myself included do not want you on the sidewalk. Why don't you open at some mall. I don't have to go to a mall. I do have to walk on the street and deal with you. Take it to Aurora, girls. Oh, you are over 18 aren't you? That would make you women — adults, that is.

  192. whatever happened to decent zoning laws. its kind of obvious that the modern seattle favors $ business over ethics. accross the street from a church school playground. almost an outdoor adult theatre for some men at other adult coffee stands.(recent news)

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