Are bikini baristas in Everett showing too much skin?

Five female employees at the Bikini Hut, an Everett espresso stand, have been charged with prostitution following a lengthy undercover investigation by Everett police. A sixth barista who works for the same company in the Lynwood area was arraigned Thursday on an indecent-exposure charge.

Five women from the 'Grab-N-Go' espresso stand in south Everett face prostitution charges.
EVERETT — Business was brisk just before noon Thursday at the Grab-N-Go Bikini Hut, where a lone barista, clad in a skimpy pink string bikini, served up steaming vanilla lattes and an endless supply of cheerful chitchat from behind the counter of the espresso stand.

Customers who waited patiently in pickups and SUVs seemed unaware that the stand — no larger than the master closet of a suburban tract house — has become ground zero in one of Everett's most pressing civic conundrums: What is appropriate behavior at drive-up businesses that serve coffee with a view?

The city, inundated with complaints from citizens and business owners who say the so-called "bikini baristas" expose too much skin, is considering restricting their behavior by updating its decades-old lewd-conduct ordinance.

The issue has gained even more steam now that five Grab-N-Go baristas from the Everett stand were charged this week in Everett Municipal Court with prostitution after a lengthy undercover investigation by Everett police. And Thursday, a sixth Grab-N-Go barista from a Lynnwood-area espresso stand was arraigned on an indecent-exposure charge.

Since July, a group of undercover Everett police officers has frequented the Grab-N-Go stand near Everett Mall after complaints that baristas were exposing themselves for cash or working completely nude, according to an Everett police report. The undercover officers who paid extra say the female baristas stripped naked, fondling each other and exposing themselves, according to a police report. A $20 "whip cream show" featured a barista licking whipped cream off a co-worker's groin and breast, police allege.

Baristas also charged to play "basketball," in which customers threw wadded cash, and baristas caught it in underwear or bikini bottoms, police said.

The Everett City Prosecutor's office charged the women with prostitution because money was exchanged for "sex acts," said an Everett police spokesman.

The women charged in Everett Municipal Court are Samantha Lancaster, Alexis Quigley, Kristina Evenson, Leloni Bailey and Dana Fitzpatrick. Paperwork didn't list ages or cities of residence, although all are between 18 and 24 years old.

The barista charged with indecent exposure, Bridget Barnhouse, 26, was seen "shaking her butt" toward traffic July 10 while outside the stand at 11323 Highway 99, court papers say. The Snohomish woman was wearing a G-string and pasties, charges allege.

Barnhouse and her attorney declined to comment Thursday after her arraignment in Everett District Court.

Bill Wheeler, owner of the four Grab-N-Go stands in Snohomish County, called the charges "B.S." and said that he supports the six employees facing misdemeanor charges. "These are all college girls who are trying to make a living," Wheeler said. "We're a coffee stand, not a strip club."

Wheeler said his employees are told when they are hired that they cannot expose themselves to customers. He believes his stands were targeted because the city of Everett is working to update its adult-entertainment ordinance to include drive-up windows, which would directly impact bikini espresso stands.


Everett police spokesman Sgt. Robert Goetz said that during the past year his department has received over 40 complaints about espresso stands with baristas in bikinis or lingerie. Similar complaints have been filed with the Snohomish and King counties sheriff's offices and Lynnwood police.

A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday night on the proposed update to Everett's lewd-conduct ordinance, which would declare drive-up windows a public place, making it illegal for someone to expose their breasts and genitals.

The proposed ordinance also would better define lewd acts and spell out where specific acts are allowed. It would define a lewd act as an exposure or display of one's most personal parts; or touching, caressing or fondling of those parts; or masturbation; or sexual conduct in public.

Everett City spokeswoman Kate Reardon said the move would modernize an antiquated law.

At the Everett Grab-N-Go, the 21-year-old bikini-clad barista leaned in close to take the orders of two men in a truck and asked them if they thought it was inappropriate that women at the stand work in bikinis, pasties and lingerie. She smiled when they offered their wholehearted support.

"It's all blown out of proportion," she said about the allegations. "I think they [the police] are bored, and they need something better to do."

The woman, who declined to give her name out of fear that she would lose her job, said she does not flash customers or offer whipped-cream shows.

"People might find us offensive because we're sexy. But if you find sexy to be offensive, go be a nun," she said.



http://seattletimes.nwsourc..._webbaristas24m.html

[This message has been edited by Pyrthian (edited 09-26-2009).]

Pretty amazing that with all the gang problems and Meth labs springing up all over Snohomish county that these cops don't have anything better to do. And the cops have been on this investigation for a year?

quote Originally posted by Red88FF: ...And the cops have been on this investigation for a year?

They had to make sure...

Pics or it didn't happen

Well Red, I guess the cops just loved their work.

But, I agree it seems a waste of assets to spend so much time on this. However, a lot of it has to do with the old axiom "The squeaky wheel gets the grease".

So many people are involved in drugs now, that it isn't a big priority any more--no one tends to press for more enforcement in an area they themselves have a hand in--either supply or demand side.

But, in order for me to make a fair and unbiased assesment of the 'barristas, I would have to see more evidence than what is shown here. I don't want to go off half cocked here.

They make good expresso. I know that personally. The chicks are a bonus. LOL

(Used to live in Oak Harbor in the 1990s.)

When attractive people show off, the not-so-attractive people tend to be jealous and spiteful. Hence many of our "indecency" laws.

WELL heck ,,Ima gona go off full cocked ,,I am not in favor of public nudity ,,but a grab and go coffee stand with scantily clad ,,or partially clad girls working there way thru college,,more power to them if some jiggle or a whip creme fight OR SNATCH OFF generates extra income from police officers,,,great..but if officers compromised these inocent young girls.. Then the gallows for these Perverted LEO,s & officers,, I realize there is no crime in america ,,and the busy bodies,, the snoopers,, the you should know better crowd,,the do as i say prune face biddies & the poor ball less castrated men they dominate,, with thier shrew voice flappers,, want the hot babes covered up ,,off with thier heads I say ..
Get all the old biddies, snoopers,ect,on the ice flow that will melt as the circleling sharks begin to feast.save a fortune in social security out lay and increase the oceans fisheries..A special courts for the snoopers & busy bodies
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A LARGE BREAST CONFINED AND THOUGHT ""FREEDOM"' hang em out ,,, let them be free
ALL FORUM MEMBERS IN THIS AREA SUPPORT THESE POOR GIRLS ,,.FLOCK TO THE GRAB AND GO,SNAP A FEW PHOTOS FOR ME..
JUST once in your life get off your butt put down the TV remote and strike a blow for freedom and those oppressed hop in the Fiero and score some coffee and an eyefull ,they will have to lean out more to deliver your order,,,GEORGE WASHINGTON CALLS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

[This message has been edited by uhlanstan (edited 09-27-2009).]

Well, if they're in bikinis, I don't see a problem.
If they're going topless or nude, then other laws come into play because it's going to be classified as an adult establishment. Not only that, but if they're selling food and drink, they have to abide by health regulations as well. Were these ladies wearing a proper hair net?

I personally don't have a problem with it, but there is a legal difference if they're in bikinis or even partially nude.

quote Originally posted by Blacktree: When attractive people show off, the not-so-attractive people tend to be jealous and spiteful. Hence many of our "indecency" laws.

Exactly. I had to relocate a card access reader at one of our stemcell research firms here in California because it was mounted on the same wall as the men's restroom door. It was reported that women would "card in" to the door at the same time when men were exiting the restroom and they could see the other men urinating in the urinals or tucking their private parts away in their pants. As I was relocating the reader, the lesbian employee who complained ( not known to the company employees ) about the reader spoke with me in depth about the issue. She was the most disgusting woman I have ever seen......but I had to make the change because it was company "policy". Most straight women in the company would have joked about the situation and enjoyed it but because this one woman complained, something had to be done. I think the police in this coffee shack story investigated for a year just to enjoy the sights of the shack

quote Since July, a group of undercover Everett police officers has frequented the Grab-N-Go stand near Everett Mall after complaints that baristas were exposing themselves for cash or working completely nude, according to an Everett police report. The undercover officers who paid extra say the female baristas stripped naked, fondling each other and exposing themselves, according to a police report. A $20 "whip cream show" featured a barista licking whipped cream off a co-worker's groin and breast, police allege.

If that is true then it goes a bit beyond wearing a bathing suit.

I wonder if the cops have patted em down.

Jim

coffee must have coffee

OK I know its against the law, I know its against the good moral judgment of my community. But it would be a great way to start my day.

Live and let live or jiggle in the case, they just need to have the drive through inside the building instead of a window.

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: The bottom line is this........bikinis are sold at ANY store to wear at the beach or wherever you want. It is like a guy wearing shorts...only it is a woman. Anything less then that is sold at Victorias Secret for the bedroom. There is nothing illegal about wearing a bikini ANYWHERE unless posted.

Agreed, with the possible exception of health code laws for workers selling coffee. But that aside, the complaint was about them going topless or nude, etc.

I see nothing wrong with this

There is nothing wrong with thoes girls doing what they do. Exchanging money for sex acts.......what do you call a lapdance at a strip club?

quote Originally posted by pontiackid86: There is nothing wrong with thoes girls doing what they do. Exchanging money for sex acts.......what do you call a lapdance at a strip club?

A strip club is regulated as an adult business.
Bikinis, no biggie. But any nudity and it crosses the line to an adult business and if they don't have the necessary permits, it's illegal.
Even in strip clubs, local ordinances regulate if they can give lap dances and if so, what restrictions there are. Some areas don't allow lap dances, others might allow nude dances, but lap dances can only be topless, etc. The point is there is regulation of what can take place and it varies by jurisdiction.

quote Originally posted by Formula88: A strip club is regulated as an adult business. Bikinis, no biggie. But any nudity and it crosses the line to an adult business and if they don't have the necessary permits, it's illegal. Even in strip clubs, local ordinances regulate if they can give lap dances and if so, what restrictions there are. Some areas don't allow lap dances, others might allow nude dances, but lap dances can only be topless, etc. The point is there is regulation of what can take place and it varies by jurisdiction.

True. Even thoug most of them dont even follow the rules. For my 21 birthday we went to a well known strip club in philly (showntel) and you have the option of a lapdance (where they do get very physical) or you can go into the back room for a private sex show (they call it) my friends paied to have me brought to the back room and I have no dought that boundreys are crossed back there. I was drunk off my a** but I remember some things that shouldent be going on in one of thoes places. mainley touching i wasetn about to go all out with some chick from a strip joint but some of thoes places get away with a lot.

[This message has been edited by pontiackid86 (edited 09-27-2009).]

This thread doesn't have enough pictures for me to make an informed decision.

quote Originally posted by pokeyfiero: This thread doesn't have enough pictures for me to make an informed decision.

X2 if there good lookin girls........ God bless them

quote Originally posted by pontiackid86: what do you call a lapdance at a strip club?

I call it fun...

And that's not legal either. You're trying to justify something illegal happening because something else illegal happens somewhere else?

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by pontiackid86: True. Even thoug most of them dont even follow the rules. For my 21 birthday we went to a well known strip club in philly (showntel) and you have the option of a lapdance (where they do get very physical) or you can go into the back room for a private sex show (they call it) my friends paied to have me brought to the back room and I have no dought that boundreys are crossed back there. I was drunk off my a** but I remember some things that shouldent be going on in one of thoes places. mainley touching i wasetn about to go all out with some chick from a strip joint but some of thoes places get away with a lot.

do they serve doughnuts???? maybe they should consider a peace offering.

I think that they are in trouble for offering a piece.

ooooohhhhhh, yeah I just read that part about the whipped creme. maybe try, blueberry, rasberry or the ever favorite Oreo.

quote Originally posted by pontiackid86: True. Even thoug most of them dont even follow the rules. For my 21 birthday we went to a well known strip club in philly (chipndales) and you have the option of a lapdance (where they do get very physical) or you can go into the back room for a private sex show (they call it) my friends paied to have me brought to the back room and I have no dought that boundreys are crossed back there. I was drunk off my a** but I remember some things that shouldent be going on in one of thoes places. mainley touching i wasetn about to go all out with some dude from a strip joint but some of thoes places get away with a lot.

Fixed that for you!

I use to be in law enforcement,,beleave me when I say male (somefemale) police officers were trying to work undercover before any formal investigation attractive ladies in skimpy outfits draw immediate police observation as they patrol your city,,Rest assured homicidal maniacs & phychopaths recieve somepassinfattention,,but let a boobster hang and jiggle or overflow to much,, your police are quick to observe and try to get hands on knowledge,, touching & close observation gives a feel for the crime..
Of course possible nudity or heaving breasts ,,require most of the male officers on the department to assist in the lengthy investication,,with even part time,,cadets ,,citizens on patrol,,and surrounding law enforcement agencies up toand including the FBI to lend a hand for observation..

In the words of a female LEO ""your all sick"" ""you act like you have never seen a milkbag before,"",, women some times have a different perspective

Suddenly, I've got the urge to grab a cup a joe.

quote Originally posted by uhlanstan: In the words of a female LEO ""your all sick"" ""you act like you have never seen a milkbag before,"",, women some times have a different perspective

"If you've seen one... you wanna see the rest of them." -- Ron White

If you read the article, it explains that the city ordinances don't cover drive-through windows. So technically, the girls are not breaking the law. The city is using them as an example to push for changes to the existing laws (so that a "drive-thru window with a view" will become illegal).

Of course, this raises the question of whether or not legislating morality is effective, or moral in and of itself. And it raises the issue of priority, i.e. other more heinous crimes getting less attention because the police force and gov't officials are focused on this.

Discuss?

It never ceases to amaze me how law enforcement will spend zillions of hours of playing trivial pursuit while major crimes go unsolved. If I was the owner of the business I’d use males in a different drive through wearing tight Speedos. I wonder who’d draw in more revenue. I’m sure there are enough women tired of viewing over weight gut belly men.

[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 09-27-2009).]

quote Originally posted by Formula88: Suddenly, I've got the urge to grab a cup a joe.

Strange, I have a hankerin for a C cup.

Jim

It would be funny if they named the coffee cup sizes after bra sizes. Imagine driving up and saying "Man, I had a rough night last night. I need a Double-D espresso".

double D expresso= luanch to the moon! thats a whole lotta' caffine. i love it!!!!!

[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 09-27-2009).]

You know you places that have local govermewnts that allow these kind of shops are lucky. The idea of this in Chester county PA would get shunned as the 1st word.

quote Originally posted by pontiackid86: You know you places that have local govermewnts that allow these kind of shops are lucky. The idea of this in Chester county PA would get shunned as the 1st word.

It's a coffee shop. The girls wear bikinis. Completely and perfectly legal anywhere.

The problem occurs when said girls start to offer sexual acts in exchange for money, which is also known as prostitution and thus; illegal. They keep the bikinis on, there's no problems.

quote Originally posted by 1986 Fiero GT: It's a coffee shop. The girls wear bikinis. Completely and perfectly legal anywhere. The problem occurs when said girls start to offer sexual acts in exchange for money, which is also known as prostitution and thus; illegal. They keep the bikinis on, there's no problems.

Its leagl anywhere but a lot of places require you to go in front of a board of approval and such and limmits what you can do. for example there is an old shut down roller skating rink down the street from me that has been shut down for a long time. the thought of opening a night club came up and the township shot that down with a swift quickness. than a year later a few guys were going to open up an indoor paintball field that wouldent interfear with any county noise laws because any loud noise isant citeable untill after 10PM and it would be closed well before than. Chester county shot that down with a you can open it but no one under the age of 18 can play. A few years later me and a few friends were looking into opening up a skate park in there and we were cleared to do it but we were only cleared to use it for like 3 hours a day during the school year and 6 hours a day out of the school year and like 6 hours a day during the weekend. And at what the rent was going to be and a half a million dollars on a concrete park it wasent worth opening it up.

[This message has been edited by pontiackid86 (edited 09-27-2009).]

is that the same county that Bam Margera lives in?? Chi-chester???
yea, I watch that show alot. its a good time. met Ryan Dunn a couple times.
he was in a band with friends of mine from Baltimore. the ALTER BOYS.
Also a good time! check it!

quote Originally posted by batousai666: is that the same county that Bam Margera lives in?? Chi-chester??? yea, I watch that show alot. its a good time. met Ryan Dunn a couple times. he was in a band with friends of mine from Baltimore. the ALTER BOYS. Also a good time! check it!

Yea hes the local hero around here and its west chester chichester is a little closer to philly and not the best area. i have seen bam running around here all the time in is lambos. funny story about him and a buddy of mine with a worked trans am Bam got eaten alive at the track.