SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane City Council is expected to vote soon on an ordinance to regulate so-called nearly nude baristas. City leaders said they are taking a different approach that is working with those businesses.
Some council members have tried in the past to regulate nearly nude baristas but they were not successful. An effort by citizens did not do much better. But city leaders said the complaints never went away, so they are trying again.
This time, they are trying to find a broader approach that is not so specific on regulations.
Instead of focusing on the employees and what they are wearing, the effort is now on the businesses and how they are notifying the public of the adult theme inside.
So now instead of worrying about the uniforms or lack of clothing, the ordinances focus more on what can be seen from the outside and signs that warn customers that nearly nude baristas work at a specific coffee stand.
"I think what we have got is something that is very well balanced, I think that it takes a lot of concerns into consideration and again enforcement is all about priorities," said Mike Fagan with Spokane City Council.
And city leaders admit part of the challenge was making this ordinance easier to prosecute. Staff said now they will be able to hand out penalties a lot easier. Those will include fines of about $250 for a first offense.
Businesses will have 180 days to meet the requirements of this ordinance. Some already have required their employees to cover up more whenever they step out of the stands.
The owner of one business told KREM 2 News she thinks it is a great idea requiring signs that clearly state that nearly nude baristas work at the store. She also hopes she has done enough to limit public view of her stands like the ordinance would require.
