Topless Coffee Shop
photo credit: WTL photos
Here’s an idea that I didn’t think would pop up in a small town Maine: a topless coffee shop.
On Tuesday morning, a small sign hung in front of the log cabin-style building, listing the hours: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
The outside windows were covered with promotional posters for New England Coffee. Up the entrance ramp to the front door, another sign: “Over 18 only” — and another at the door: “No cameras, no touching, cash only.” A man in a white dress shirt kept watch at the front door.Inside, two men sipped coffee at their booth; the rest of the tables were empty. There are 15 tables, with room enough for 58 people.
On Tuesday, inside were three topless women, one topless man and owner Donald Crabtree in a dress shirt and tie. Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper” was playing.
What other kind of coffee shop can employee waiters and waitresses and not have to pay them a wage?
Crabtree said he does not pay his staff a regular wage; all their earnings come from customer tips, mostly ranging from $5 to $20.
On Tuesday morning, Kelley brought coffee to a male customer, who gulped down about half of the cup during a couple minutes, handed Kelley a $100 bill and left without saying a word.
Angela Shupe on February 26th, 2009 11:20 am
I was going with it until he said he doesn’t pay the waiters or waitresses. Great idea, taking the strip out of the club and into the coffee house, but tips do not seem like enough. They should get some form of traditional pay for their time too.
By the way, A topless man doesn’t seem like a fair exchange. Not when men go and see topless women. I get topless men at the beach every year for free.
Maxim on February 27th, 2009 1:50 am
I think the bigger effect you can reach if you open such coffee shop for gays and ladies (with topless men) and for straights and lesbians (with topless women) separate )).
Also it is good idea to open coffee shops with private coffee rooms and personal assistants ))) but i think it sounds more like some kind of house of prostitution, but if “no touching” rools are working – its totally legal :-).
Jaclyn on February 27th, 2009 11:19 am
first…that is definitely a out there kind of idea, but good in the sense of it’s a controlled area and the same concept as a strip bar…but more elegant and tasteful i’m sure. but i do agree with angela…tips are not enough. i use to be a waitress, and even in an upscale restaurant that is booming in business all the time, you do not make enough in tips to support yourself little own a family or car payments, etc.
Scott Quitter on February 27th, 2009 7:00 pm
Topless coffee shop?? Why didn’t I think of that? I had toyed with “topless” ideas before but none of my ideas really had that spark:
Topless weight-loss clinic
Topless plumbing service
Topless telephone consultant
Topless web designer
The only idea I had that I thought might actually have a chance was topless auditor. Think about it…you might actually WANT to get audited!
Billy on March 15th, 2009 10:42 am
Actually, I live in this small town in Maine and I hear that the waitresses are making plenty with tips… they are topless after all and that seems to equate to a much larger tip than your typical “topped” waitress would get. I’ve heard one of them made $500 in a single day. While I’m sure that’s not typical, I think $200 a day in tips would be closer to the norm. I’m on my way there now, that’s why I found this blog, I was trying to find their hours! :P
Scott Quitter on March 15th, 2009 3:25 pm
Billy,
Be sure to report back here. I’m interested in how good customer service is. :-) And how well you tipped.
Do you think this business model is (seriously) a good one?
Cheers,
Scott
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