Bikini baristas must cover up, county says

They're not open yet, but here's what will be the Pink Pantherz coffee shop at El Camino Real and Dumbarton Avenue in the North Fair Oaks neighborhood between Atherton and Redwood City.
They're not open yet, but here's what will be the Pink Pantherz coffee shop at El Camino Real and Dumbarton Avenue in the North Fair Oaks neighborhood between Atherton and Redwood City.

BY EMILY MIBACH
Daily Post Staff Writer

When the Pink Pantherz coffee shop opens on El Camino Real in North Fair Oaks, the baristas will need to ensure their bikinis completely cover their bottoms and breasts, a county official says.

County Planning Director Steve Monowitz has sent the owners of the bikini coffee shop, which will be located at El Camino and Dumbarton Avenue, a set of clothing regulations. The shop’s opening is contingent on obeying the clothing regulations.

Monowitz said in a letter to the owners that employees must completely cover their bottoms, so that their buttocks are not exposed. Employees breasts must also be covered.

San Mateo County Supervisor Warren Slocum says he “totally understands” residents’ concerns about the coffee shop.

Slocum said that his office, along with the county’s attorneys and the departments of environmental health and planning have looked into whether there are any state codes that could potentially prohibit Pink Pantherz Espresso from opening at the former Caffino site at 2797 El Camino Real. However, there is no state law that sets any particular clothing requirements.

Slocum is the supervisor who represents the North Fair Oaks neighborhood, where the coffee shop would be located.

Slocum also says that he’s learned that other cities and counties that have fought the opening of bikini coffee shops have lost in court.

If the coffee shop’s employees wore anything less than what’s required, Pink Pantherz would be considered an “adult entertainment business” under the county code, and such businesses are not allowed in that area.

Slocum said the county has not heard back from the owners.

Public outcry

The uniforms of Pink Pantherz employees is what sparked the ire of North Fair Oaks residents who showed up at the board of supervisor’s meeting Aug. 7.

“Even though I am 9 years old, I know what’s right and wrong, and it is not appropriate to use a woman’s body to sell coffee,” said Juiletta Martinez, who was one of seven residents who spoke at the meeting.

Ana Avendano said she’s concerned about the messages that her young daughter will get from the coffee shop, which will serve up drinks called the “Panty Dropper” and the “Bootycall.”

“I believe women ought to have a diverse set of opportunities that includes employment, however, I don’t believe in opportunities that will continue to objectify women (for) capitalism,” Avendano said.

Slocum said that he spoke to the residents who came to the meeting, and has been sending letters to residents who write to him about the coffee shop.

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