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Waiter, There's a Bikini in My Coffee

By GEOFF WILLIAMS, AOL SMALL BUSINESS
Posted: 2009-08-06 13:19:05
coffee
Give your customers what they want.

That's the hallmark of a successful business, so while some people might wince when they see signs for Hooters, for instance, the company apparently knows what it is doing. Hooters, after all, made $121 million in sales in 2008.

So it shouldn't be a surprise that occasionally one will see similar business models and, well, models. Bikini Espresso, which doesn't appear to have a web site, is one of the latest such ventures. It just opened in Torrance, California, replacing a conventional coffee shop, Fox Hollow Coffee, and is now getting a reputation for more than just its drinks, but for the people serving them. The employees are all young, female and bikini clad.

Apparently there have been some complaints, but co-owner Gary Gillett pointed out to his community paper, The Daily Breeze, that they're located near the beach, and so the bikini wear makes sense. He also noted that Seattle, hardly known for its warm temperatures (except for this summer), has a lot of bikini coffee shops.

And as Gillett said, "There's tons and tons of them [in Seattle], and they're very successful. And we figured we have a lot of beautiful girls here."

And as noted, Hooters paved the way for entrepreneurs to offer shapely servers in the food industry without too many eyebrows being raised, and since then, numerous other restaurants have taken note. There's even a term for restaurants that have attractive, shapely women as the waitstaff: breastaurants.

In any case, expect more coffeehouses to keep the trend going. Another bikini coffee shop, the Bikini Beani Coffee and Drink Hut, opened several weeks ago, on July 3, where you wouldn't necessarily expect it -- Chatsworth, Georgia, in the heart of the Bible belt. Years ago, experts wondered how coffeehouses would ever compete with the powerhouse Starbucks. It took awhile, but we may just have our answer.

2009-07-31 13:36:07
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196 comments

lyleoz 12:29:08 AM Sep 01 2009

The problem with a free democratic society that you'all live in one is that it enables the voice of minorities to be heard, unfortunately more loudly than the majority.While you are welcome to your views, do not impose them upon me.

lyleoz 12:19:48 AM Sep 01 2009

For F##$'s sake people, get a grip.And those of you on your high horse about women being objects, gimme a break.Their tips are extrordinary, the women who work there CHOOSE to work there knowing whats expected. They can go work at the bridal shop if they want, but they don't.It's called free enterprise, capitilism and the American way, if you don't like it don't go there, but leave the people who choose to shop there free from political narrow minded views and your personal religious values.

lisebeane 11:59:00 PM Aug 31 2009

AOL runs the same titillating stories again,and again to get people's attention. Please, find some more substanitive news to print that is really new. These stories are old. Get with it and print some fresh material that is inspirational rather than sleazy. Please show us America as the can do nation, rather than tabloid trash.

wrascil 11:26:42 PM Aug 31 2009

i went to a strip jpint for a burger once in florida.... worst damm burger i ever ate, i still think i got an std from it

fossskmh 08:19:41 PM Aug 31 2009

Take the tramps off the computer, t.y.

ggray10318 06:02:52 PM Aug 31 2009

Because he is black you ******* want to talk about Obama. If he get out country out of this mess he will still get blamed. Wake up you white asses this is not your world. God will punish you for what you have been doing to mankind. You are not the chosen people of God. You are the worst of the worst. All of your ancestors came out of Africa. And then you moved to the caves of Europe where you learn your ways of how to take from other races who are superior to you all.

wrannsalespa 03:22:00 PM Aug 31 2009

I remember in Florida, the girls selling hot dogs on the street corners in thongs, The hot dogs didn't taste any better but who gives a sh*t!!!! They shut that down too...

bshplt 11:53:13 AM Aug 31 2009

Obama is going to ruin America.......you think the rest of the world hates us now?.......this place is going to fall like Rome did.......get out while you can.....the real Americans need to start another Country somewhere else......we need a new flag too.......

parodex 10:43:46 AM Aug 31 2009

jrsvc 03:14:57 PM Aug 16 2009 Report This! Honestly, Most men ejoy looking at sexy women in Bikinis. But promoting these ideals only turn women into objects and not human beings......Objects??? What a crock! Think about it for a second ok. When you go to eat soem place and order your food, you only think of that person who is waiting on you as someone who will get your food in a timely manor, not some object right. When you have a hot looking woman doing the exact same thing, now you only have a hot looking woman who in fact, needs to go and get my food in a timely manor but, she's NO kind of object any more than before. They are ALWAYS a person there no matter what they look like and what they are wearing and will be treated with the same respect. People really get pissed when they see this kind of thing because many no good and well they themselves could never work at such a place, they don't have the looks. Well so what! Does that mean just becuase someone is smarter than me

cjdreaminn 11:20:14 AM Aug 23 2009

I remember that Ft Lauderdale topless donut shop, it was quite the talk back then....but, I also remember topless gas dock were I'd get gas for my boat and topless beaches , nightclubs, and many other places where a women's body was on display. Have you looked around lately, seems many ladies are not concerned any longer about sharing visual joy to the opposite sex.....problem is, so are there daugthers and granddaugthers thinking this is OK too ! Don't know if that is a good thing to do !

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