Bikini-themed coffee shop opens in Chatsworth

Published 6:26 pm Tuesday, July 14, 2009

CHATSWORTH — Even though it serves coffee and cold drinks to go by women in bikini tops, the owner says the Bikini Beani Coffee and Drink Hut was “covered up” last weekend.

“You couldn’t have gotten another car in the parking lot on Saturday,” said Josh McClain, who opened the business at 917 N. Third Ave. “We didn’t have time to breathe.”

Iced coffee and “bikini sodas” may have accounted for some of the trade, but the bikini car wash with the help of the bikini “baristas” — properly defined as coffee shop employees — probably didn’t hurt either. This Saturday, Bikini Beani will host a classic car cruise-in from 5 to 9 p.m. No applications are required and car owners participating in the cruise-in receive half-off drinks.

McClain, a 2000 graduate of Murray County High School, realizes his business may be out of the mainstream for a conservative, Bible Belt town in the South.

“People may think it’s edgy and risqué, but nothing’s going on here that shouldn’t be,” he said. “We’re not breaking any laws, and we’re in compliance with all the city ordinances. I checked it out. It’s a niche business, (and) this is actually real, real big out west. It’s the only niche competing with Starbucks and the other chains around the Seattle area.”

Mayor Tyson Haynes said the city’s latest addition to a chain of eateries on North Third is “in compliance” with all city codes and permitting.

“Unless they do something besides what their license says — and that is to serve coffee to go — there’s nothing he’s in violation of,” Haynes said. “Bikinis may not be to some people’s liking, but he’s not in violation of any public indecency statute.”

But Haynes said police officers and city authorities will be “keeping an eye on” the enterprise.

“We’ve had no complaints, but we will monitor closely,” he said.

Open since July 3, Bikini Beani employs five women and a maintenance man, said McClain. His parent company, McClain Enterprises, also does real estate sales including “flipping” houses for resale and creating coupon books for retailers.

“I’ve had eight people contact me about franchising,” he said, emphasizing his coffee shop is a stand-alone business. “Three of them are dead serious, so I’ve got an attorney working on that.”

Plans include spending $15,000 on landscaping to make the property look like a beach scene, building a miniature golf course and even buying the lot next door to install a go-cart track.

But non-alcoholic drinks drive the economics of the business, and they range in price from $2.25 to $4.50, with the big sellers being the lemonades and bikini sodas. On the porch, barista Cassandra Shoemaker waved a homemade sign promoting the business at passing motorists.

“It’s too hot out on the sidewalk,” she said, dollar bill tips stuffed into her bikini top. “And if anyone pulls in I have to run back here to fix their drink.” She said they have around 50 to 60 regular customers.

“I love working here,” she said. “The environment’s good, my co-workers are great and the drinks are amazing.” She added there has been no harassment from the public due to her work outfit.

“We do make our girls wear shorts,” said McClain, “and all the girls are drug tested. We have not had any complaints, and we have several city officials and deputies who drop in on a regular basis. As far as the outfits go, you’re going to see more at the community pool or Carters Lake or the beach. Around there no one says anything about it.

“I’m actually a Christian, and we (with wife) have Bible study at my house every single weekend.”