Sexpresso Ordinance Coming?

Tools

By Melissa Wagner

Story Published: Jan 21, 2010 at 7:35 PM PDT

Yakima - Sexpresso Stands. Are they selling more than coffee? And should they be regulated even more than they are now.

We take a look at what Snohomish County is doing to keep it's scantily clad baristas in line. And if its ordinance will work here, in Yakima.

Monica Hines has worked at Brewlesque Esspresso for a couple of years now. Her mom is the owner. And she says there are strict rules when it comes to proper dress and behavior in their coffee stand.

" Our owner likes us to have covered midriff. We have to wear full nylons. Our underwear has to cover our butt," said Monica.

But that's not always been the case at some of the other sexpresso stands. Just ask City Councilman Maureen Adkins, " They're not all just coffee shops. There are a few that have pushed the envelope and I think they've pushed it just a little too far."

Take the five dollar holler at Moulan Brew. " They ring a bell if you tip them five dollars. And they'll bend over at the waist and shake their butt in the window. And sometimes lift their leg. they have low windows. ANCHOR QUESTION: So, do you get asked to do some of these things you know other places are doing? ANSWER: Yeah, we do, all the time actually," said Monica.

And Monica said she's had enough. But she doesn't think it's the job of City Council to push even more rules on them. Council amended the city's indecent exposure ordinance last summer to restrict what the baristas wear. But there have been a few coffee stands recently caught breaking that ordinance, and behaving even more riske.

" Part of the problem is there have been several verifable complaints of those violations occuring," said Yakima Mayor, Micah Cawley.

Council is now looking at an ordinance amendment out of Snohomish County. But when we looked at it, it seemed to have very similar wording to what the city already has on its books. At least when it comes to what the baristas can wear.

So the mayor said they're also reviewing other options, " Things like tinting windows, so many regulations like how close you can be to a school, the view of the public."

It's just the first step in keeping these sexpresso stands more liable for their actions.

The city's legal department now has this same document from Snohomish in it's possession. And it's under review. Council members will also look at it before making any decisions on an ordinance here.

Upload directly from your mobile device.

Learn how

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

On Demand

Stay Connected