No more bikini business in Everett.
A city attorney told the council that the best way to avoid having problems with prostitution, lewd conduct and secondary issues that Everett has had in the past with bikini baristas is to make the business model unworkable.
Owners of bikini barista stands and some employees testified that it was unfair to hold the bad actions of others against them.
They also argued that the ordinance was unfair and asked whether all quick service employees would have someone from the city coming around to measure whether it was three inches or two and a half inches of skin between their employees’ buttocks and bottom of their shorts.
An owner of a family friendly chain of barista stands urged the council to pass the two laws it was considering. The first ordinance, defines facilitating lewd conduct and the other adopts minimum dress requirements and probationary licensing for so-called quick service establishments.
Both laws target enforcement action against the business owners and not the employees.
An Everett Police Lieutenant advised that this will keep an unscrupulous business owner from being able to operate in Everett and exploit their workers.
Both ordinances passed in a unanimous vote by the Everett City Council.
At least one business owner promised legal action.
August 17, 2017
Everett Government