This post is about a very interesting trend we’ve been experiencing here in Everett, WA. I’d never have thought that lingerie and coffee would go together, but it’s spreading like wildfire out here. I literally pass 3 of these bikini barista joints on my way to work every day.
Now far be it from me to complain about seeing a girl in a bikini (or less), but I just didn’t expect to see that while grabbing my morning coffee. If you can’t tell, there is a bit of a background story here, so allow me to take you all on a little trip with me to a coffee stand not too far from my house… ‘Twas a few weeks back, and a very sleepy/groggy/partially hungover Dominique was driving to work at 0645 (yes, I’m in the military, that’s how we tell time) one foggy/bitterly cold and dismal Monday morning. I pulled up to one of the hundreds of coffee stands that are sprouting like weeds in and around my city (as if we didn’t already have a Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, and Tully’s on every other block). Now, I drive a Honda Civic which is a pretty “low to the ground” type O’ vehicle. So, imagine my surprise when I got up to the window of said coffee stand and saw the barista standing there, gasp… Naked!! Or at least that’s what it looked like from my viewpoint. Perhaps if I had me an Escalade, I might have had a different sort of initial reaction, but I had to look up at the window from where I was sitting, and couldn’t see that there were actually a pair of “pasties” involved (if you don’t know what pasties are, check Google...). Also, unlike sunny states like California and Florida, it’s about 35-40 degrees here in Everett, Washington so it’s not very often you see someone without a jacket or at least a long sleeved shirt on. I thought she was wearing nothing at all. Which wasn’t too far from the truth… But that’s what made decide to make this post.
I had noticed a few of these stands popping up around my city, but it wasn’t until I found myself at one that I really gave it much thought. So, I took a little trip on Saturday to see just how many of them there are near my house and by the base, and even took a few pictures so you guys can get a feel for what I’m talking about. So, here’s what I found during my trip:
Cowgirls Espresso (GiddyUP!):
There are 2 of these near me. The pictures that I took, though, came out a bit fuzzy so I grabbed a couple off the Internet.
Apparently they do different themed days. Military Monday, School Girl Thursday, Fantasy Friday, etc, etc… You can find out more on their website, if you are so inclined: www.cowgirlsespresso.com
The following 2 stands are within a few blocks of each other and are both right across the street from our local neighborhood Walmart:
Notice the “Pasties” reference. And what, pray tell, do they mean by Java “Juggs"?
Here’s the Bikini Hut… Clean coffee fun for the whole family.
Next up: XOXO Espresso… A pioneer in the scantily clad barista market… They are promoting their Daisy Dukes garb in this picture (they do Fantasy Fridays too, just like Cowgirls):
And last, but definitely not least, T-n-A Latte… Don’t you just LOVE these names? Now to be fair to T-n-A Latte, they do have some fine print on their signage… If you look below the big “T-n-A Latte,” you’ll see the words “Tasteful n Appropriate” (it’s small, but it’s there). I have actually gone to this one (it’s right across from the Navy Base), and the girl who served my coffee for me was actually fully dressed (and very cute). So, T-n-A Latte only really falls into this category because of the wordplay used in their name.
Now, all of these coffee places are within 1 mile of either my house or my job. So, that leads me to believe that there are a LOT more of them out there that I just haven’t seen yet. I suppose what I’m really wondering is whether this new trend in coffee has stayed local here in the Seattle area (Everett is about 25-30 minutes north of Seattle) or whether the concept has spread elsewhere. Do you have any of these "bikini huts" where you live?
Also, I’m wondering what you guys think of this new “fad”? For? Against? Reasons? Thoughts? Opinions? Do you think it’s demeaning to the young women working there, or just creative marketing for coffee vendors… Are there any sanitary ramifications to this? What about safety?? It sure would suck to spill a cup of hot coffee on yourself if all you are wearing is a pair of pasties and a bikini bottom… Also, I haven’t seen the “male” equivalent of this concept… Could this be somewhat sexist? I’m not saying how I feel on any of these issues (not yet, at least), but I would like to hear what you think. Also, feel free to bring up any other thoughts you may have on the subject…
~Dominique~
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