Girls have worn less at the beach. So get another job; I'll take yours and sell good coffee, too. I think it is a great idea.

Ridiculous. What a pig - this is a coffe stand not a nightclub.

You go girls!!!

Don't sell yourself short and keep your heads high. Respect yourself and others will respect you as well.

You all made the right decision.

It's a sad day when people are resorting to showing some skin just to increase there business, especially coffee stands. My husband refuses to go to a particular coffee stand very close to his work for one, the girls dress like whores and the coffee is horrible, but they stay very very busy. Watch out Deja Vu, baristas are honing in on your turf.

Great job women! Tell the owner he has to come in each day in a speedo in order to run business. Besides, what weirdos are going to go to a coffee place and oogle and the girls while they make coffee? gross.

You are right chloe, girls do wear less at the beach. The beach is where I'd expect to see it, or a strip club.. But a coffee stand?? Come on. I have to be honest I drive by one of the cowgirls stands and almost always get stopped at the light where you can look into the coffee stand window.. It's embarrasing to have my little girls see that. If you respected yourself enough as a woman or more so WANTED RESPECT you wouldn't choose to wear that attire working at a coffee stand. Frankly to call that stand or all others with that attire 'COWGIRLS', is just plain wrong.. I can think of a few other names it should be called.

You are right chloe, girls do wear less at the beach. The beach is where I'd expect to see it, or a strip club.. But a coffee stand?? Come on. I have to be honest I drive by one of the cowgirls stands and almost always get stopped at the light where you can look into the coffee stand window.. It's embarrasing to have my little girls see that. If you respected yourself enough as a woman or more so WANTED RESPECT you wouldn't choose to wear that attire working at a coffee stand. Frankly to call that stand or all others with that attire 'COWGIRLS', is just plain wrong.. I can think of a few other names it should be called.

These girls rock! I live in Monroe. I assure you I will buy my coffee elsewhere.

I'm sure these girls won't have any trouble finding a new job, and their replacements will make buckets of money. So, everyone wins.

The owner of these stands is sick. Any woman who would abuse herself with this kind of dress and self disrespect is sadly deceived by the fact that sexy is good money (so instead of walking the streets selling herself, she's selling coffee and selling herself). It's bad enough porn is out there on the web and magazine stands, why does the ethical population have to drive by a coffee stand and be subject to it!

Maybe I should apply for a job there, and then sue them for discrimination when they won't hire me. That'd show em. If they did hire me, better yet. They'd be out of business in a week if I were running arround in skimpy cloathing. Or they might get new kinds of customers... on second thought...maybe I should re-think this.

and would he expect male employees to wear bikini speedos? thong bathing suits...no shirt, flex those muscles? or...is he discriminating against males who might want to be a barista there?

I am an easygoing, openminded woman, but he's pandering to the prurient side of men only...he'll get the business, and the community will know who likes to ogle...give me a break, already...

Justin....if you're a good barista, you should apply...I think it's a great idea...see where this employers ethics are...

Thank you ladies for having the decency to respect yourselves and not give in to the demands of a greedy employer!

It makes me sick that young women are continuing to be objectified and exploited for the sole purpose of making some creep rich...does he pay them comparable wages to a porn star or stripper?

I don't believe any woman should have to lower herself just to sell more coffee.

I will let everyone I know hear all about "Lola Bean" and hope that more people will express their outrage by NOT supporting their enterprise!

And does the owner not realize that he's going to lose a lot of business? Think of all the women driving their families around, who want to pick up a cup of coffee. I won't be stopping at Lola Bean!!
I applaud the baristas who had enough self-respect to draw the line.

I hope, for the sake of the new employees, that they figure out how to keep warm... I see where any extra profit could all go towards the heating bill once the weather turns - but, maybe customers who enjoy sexual fantasy with their caffeine won't mind having their drinks made by the sickening replacement baristas... and yes, that pun is intentional!

Is this the best plan the owner can come up with to increase business?

Well, like attracts like, so the owner, the new baristas and any customers attracted to the "new look" will no doubt get along together just fine.

They'll get what they want and deserve what they get - 'nuff said.

Huge applause to those girls for having the class and dignity to stand up for modesty against a sick, twisted, reprobate owner.

Sure, others will take their jobs, until the disease of their skanky lifestyle overwhelms them or their too old to be 'desirable' enough as eye meat. But these girls will leave an indelible print on the lives of girls and impress on those they meet that women are to be valued, not shopped.

Yet another business trying to set women back 50 years. Why would they need to do this for the small amount of pay and embarrassment they get? What a pain. Go to the strip bars guys if you want to see that. At least the women get paid better there for you to ogle them.

Good for them! I'm a barista and I've spilled freshly steamed milk, or an americano on myself wearing an apron and regular clothes. I can't tell you how awful that would be if you spilled one of those on you when you weren't wearing very much. Hopefully this news story will encourage other baristas at the other stands that have tacky bosses to stand up!

Next time I visit northwest Washington, I'm going to Lola Bean. The guy in the piece is right. Coffee is coffee. If I'm going to pay five dollars, I want to get something extra. If they want to sell themselves as they claim, they wouldn't be working at a coffee stand where no one knows or cares about them anyway.

I'm a senior and a coffee lover. I'm far from being a prude but these girls have taken a moral stand and for that, they should be commended. I admire them for collectively taking a position and wish them success in what ever they do.

The employer has the right to require a dress code and the employees have the right to quit. That's the American Way and thats freedom!

I'm still not sure why Americans want to pay $4.00 or more for a cup of coffee anyway (never mind the amount of money it costs for gas to drive to a coffee stand), since you can buy a whole can of Maxwell House for about $8.00--AND watch your sig other make it for you in his/her underwear for free, if you're both into such things--but barring that...
Pornifying women to get one's jollies during a coffee break is beyond pathetic. And "Schoolgirl Thursdays"? Isn't this a country where pedophilia is illegal? On one hand we are arresting pedophilic men regularly on "Dateline" shows, yet we want to cater to men who like to look at women dressed as "schoolgirls"? What the hell is this country coming to? Are there any American men out there who can have normal relationships with adult women? Is this part of the "freedom" we say our enemies hate? The freedom to sexually objectify women and children? Not that wearing a burka is any better, but if we want to be a good example to the rest of the world, America should offer women a better choice.
BTW--August 26th is tomorrow. On that day in 1920, women got the right to vote. How about that? We are actually supposed to be considered HUMAN in this country!

I like the idea. In fact, I wish more outlets would implement that dress code, especially offices. Fat and ugly people should stay home. Maybe they'd skip a meal and work out more.

I was shocked when I stopped for coffee at a drive through in Auburn. I guess it was "military day" I had my two daughters in the car with me. The young woman was dressed in a very small bikini with a military print. (it was a cold day) There should be some kind of warning for parents so we can avoid exposing young children to this.

I applaud these women for standing up for themselves and for not allowing themselves to be treated as sexual objects. It's refreshing to see young women who have pride.
I would be happy to contribute to a fund to help them pay their bills if needed.

Contrary to the opinion that the owner has a "right" to establish this dress code, he does not. These girls need to file complaints at the EEOC office in Seattle. They didn't show up at Hooters knowing they had to dress skimpy. He changed the rules on them, and hasn't stated what the rules are for men working there. AND he doesn't even have the franchise yet. He cannot prove business necessity. He has no case. They then need to report him to Labor & Industries. Anyone who's ever made espresso knows how hot those machines are. Bikini Wednesday isn't going to protect his employees from workers comp injuries. Idiot. I'm dismayed that King5 just reported this as a T & A story instead of actually explaining to the public what employment law entails.

You're right Emmy. That's assuming he's even paying Labor and Industry insurance and all else. Heck, half of the little stores out there (not meaning espresso stands exclusively, but little corner stores), uh, well, I don't want to infer anything, but I suspect a lot of them aren't even giving the sales tax to the state.

First I do not think the owner should have changed over to this type of coffee stand. If you have a good following then go with it. If he wants a stand with women who wear skimpy outfits then start another one and hire women who will wear them. And second, good for you girls there should be no reason you have to do that if you do not want to. Personally I don't mind the look, but that is only if the person wearing it doesn't mind it.

BRAVO! These young women did the RIGHT thing. They stepped up and stepped out to do it. Good for them. Their lives will be blessed as they continue to live with dignity and teach others. I say to each of them - "Thank you, thank you, thank you. It's about time we hear the great things people do. We need to hear more of it. Best wishes to you."

I think these girls did the right thing as well. Of course the owner has the right to do what he wants, but I do think it's tacky and sexist. Speaking of tacky, the whole community of Monroe has completely turned into a disgusting strip mall over the last decade. I drove through on the way to E. WA a couple weeks ago and couldn't believe the changes. The city should be ashamed. When you let that sort of ugly slap-dash construction sprawl define your community, you end up with places like strip-club-coffee stands.

Why are we sexualizing baristas? How low do you need to go guys? This goes straight to the men who patron these places, YOU SUCK, and thats sad!

Ummm... did you people actually watch the piece? The girls interviewed are quite attractive, and they aren't wearing modest clothing. Face it, most coffee stands hire on the basis of looks. I still applaude them for standing up to the new owner and his ridiculous demands, but they weren't completely innocent, either. Oh, and Carrie, YOU SUCK. We're men, we're visual creatures, get used to it. It's not low, it's biology, do some research.

YOU do some research and get over it, Byrone. Women should not exist to fulfill men's "visual" (or otherwise) biological imperatives. Wow--I hate to remind you again that we are actually human beings, supposedly equal under the law (today in 1920 we got the right to vote)! Yet we spend our lives trying to win male approval, and fighting with each other to get it (witness the gaggle of girls willing to take over as half-dressed baristas while their sisters--who DARE to take a stand for ALL of us--go without paychecks). At some point, we have to say, ENOUGH! And don't think FOR ONE MINUTE that pandering to men's base sexual needs constitutes "freedom" OR "choice". That's EXACTLY what men want all young women to believe, so that we continue to fight for their approval, on their terms. It's still the "good girl"/"bad girl" dichotomy--some "choice". They want us to think that "choosing" to show them our bodies for their jollies somehow makes it "empowering". It's still the same old hogwash--the need for male approval to get anywhere in our society. And again I say it--this is the "freedom" America wants to offer to women in fundamentalist Islamic countries--the freedom to throw off your veil and put on a "battle dress" bikini so that you can titillate men while serving them coffee. Have we nothing better to offer to the women of the world?
And BTW--you want to talk "biology"? Men are pretty much done biologically when they hit 19. After that, the majority of men are not much to look at--or get into bed with--either. Does this sound offensive to you? Maybe now you understand why the "biology" argument holds no water when we are discussing HUMAN BEINGS. Get used to THAT.

Veronica, might I say.....WELL SAID! And Byrone, better start the therapy fund. If you ever have kids, especially a daughter, they will need it. And Emmy is right, these gals have a legal leg to stand on.

You know what’s really low? How a man-child will say that he is in no way to blame for his actions, because he is ruled by ‘biology’, whereas the women who he finds “quite attractive” are not “completely innocent” when they complain about being mistreated, or stand up for their dignity.

How do people who are so obviously messed up function? Are they completely oblivious to their hypocrisy (not to mention misogyny)? I second (or possible third) the call for byrone to start a therapy fund. Buddy has some seriously twisted personal issues to address.

Congratulations to the baristas for not putting up with an exploitive employer, and to the majority of commentators who see what’s going on.

The owner has the right to change the dress code for his buisness, and EVERYONE is replaceable, if they don't want to work there, then they quit, obviously none of them wanted to work there. However there is always going to be people who are, you aren't proving anything by quitting on principle, the woman who didn't know how shes going to pay the mortgage should have got her finances straight before making a stupid decision.

Seems to me that the owner made a stupid decision, since his staff would rather walk than work under his conditions. He can talk as big as he wants about how he so easily found replacement parts, I mean, workers, but that doesn't change the fact that he has managed to lose all of his staff, draw public attention to his sub par management skills (not to mention lack of ethical thought), make a negative name for his business, and isolate the customer base of the stand. All the man-child fantasizing in the world cannot justify his stupidity.

As for his imagined 'right' to demand that the workers wear skimpy clothing they do not have any interest in wearing to work, check your facts (or just read Emmy's post above, as she clearly lays it out).

He chose to:

a) mess with the rules after the baristas were hired (possibly in violation of contract)

b)implement the new (un)dress code before he secured the franchise with Cowgirl's (making the rules his personal choice)

c)failed to mention how male employees were affected, or on what criteria they would be hired (multiple types if discrimination).

Not to mention the fact that he was clearly trying to take advantage of a power-over relationship.

Basically, despite the fact that the cards were stacked in his favour, he managed to mess up big time, and let the public know what a pig he is.

I'm with Emmy on the baristas filing with the EEOC .

To Veronica, Sharon, and al:

Did you not read the part where I said, I "applaude them for standing up to the new owner and his ridiculous demands"? Or are you all so hateful of men that you ignored that part? I was trying to point out that each gender has their own point of view.

Veronica, I didn't say that women "exist to fulfill men's 'visual' (or otherwise) biological imperatives". I was merely trying to point out the fact (badly, apparently) that men, as a general rule, will tip better when faced with an attractive young woman. That is how a barista makes her (or his) money; it is usually a minimum wage (or under the table) job. How you equate that with America telling Islamic women to throw off their veils and put on bikinis makes no sense. Personally, I've never heard any American make such a statement. And no, you don't have to remind me that women are human beings (not sure where the AGAIN came from; I don't know you, nor have I ever spoken with you). Also, I have no desire for women to try and gain my approval, nor do I believe that if they show me their bodies it is empowering for them (or me, for that matter). If you read my original post, you will find no statements to that effect.

So, I can state clearly for your own edification, that this man does NOT want women pandering to my "needs" (actually, you should have said "desires") and I do not want "all young women" to believe that they need to do that. Oh, and BTW, not all men are "done" at 19, nor something YOU wouldn't want to look at (again, you don't know me and you haven't seen me, on the street OR in bed)(which I doubt, from your attitude, you ever would).

al, I don't believe I claimed to be irresponsible for my actions. Although I never stated my actions. I was merely stating REALITY, as in, how do these girls/women make so much money making espresso drinks for minimum wage? Think about it; how many men do you see working the coffee stands in comparison to women? The only drive-through, single-owner espresso stand I have ever seen with a man making the coffee was the one that I used to own a few years ago. And it was me. And I made crazy tips off of all of the soccer moms coming through. Face it, folks, sex sells. Again, the new owner of this stand is an idiot and a jerk for his attitude and (see al's SECOND post, very astute) SHOULD be be investigated by the EEOC.

However, I am a normal person, and my 24-year old Microsoft executive daughter is doing quite well and is a productive member of society without taking off her clothes. And al, for you (in your first reply to my post) to call me a man-child and misogynistic is, well, pathetic. You should stop and read ALL the words that are posted before you go off like that. And check your facts; it's easy to do, just scroll up, you were only the second person to call for me to start a therapy fund. Which is not needed (see above).

And lastly, for Veronica, are you an American? Your first post states, "I'm still not sure why Americans want to pay $4.00 or more for a cup of coffee". BECAUSE IT'S BETTER THAN MAXWELL HOUSE. Although I've never paid more than $3.25 for a flavored latte (which is much different than drip coffee). Sounds like you're quoting Canadian (Starbucks) prices to me.

Wymen (by that I mean Veronica, Sharon and al), I bid adieu. I hope that your hatred of men finds a higher purpose.

I don't usually go to expresso stands, but if there was one operated soley by shirtless hot guys, I might find a reason.

Byrone, do you not recall typing the following?

"I still applaude [sic] them for standing up to the new owner and his ridiculous demands, but they weren't completely innocent, either."

Perhaps you mistyped, but you claim that the women "weren't entirely innocent, either" on the basis of the view that "The girls interviewed are quite attractive, and they aren't wearing modest clothing".

This line of reasoning suggests (or even just outright states) the opinion that, as attractive women who you assume were hired chiefly for their looks, they must on some level bear responsibility for their manager's actions (which you have correctly identified as inappropriate).

This type of attitude is typically defined as being misogynistic (note I said the attitude is misogynistic) as it still judges the women based on their appearance, and then goes on to say that they are somehow complicit in the negative actions of others. In layman's terms, it is known as victim blaming.

Furthermore, you aggressively wrote

"Oh, and Carrie, YOU SUCK. We're men, we're visual creatures, get used to it. It's not low, it's biology, do some research".

It was correctly pointed out to you that biology is no excuse for bad behaviour (in fact, I believe it may have hit a nerve, which, oddly enough, is exactly how it feels when men sling this false reasoning at women). It was also pointed out that what you have misidentified as biology is merely a sad attempt at justifying the poor treatment of women.

Additionally, in the context of what you typed earlier (when you suggest that as attractive women the baristas were in part to blame for their managers action) this comes off as a threat.

Basically, while you pointed out that the manager was indeed scummy, you still posit that the baristas, as women you feel to be attractive, are in part to blame. You then excuse the hyper-masculine judgment of women's appearance (which you connect to their being partly at fault for their mistreatment) by saying that it's biology, and that men cannot help it.

Has that cleared up a few things for you?

ps in the future, should you try to end your posts with a clever passive aggressive put down, at least spell the word correctly. I believe you were trying to type womyn?

Monroe is a great place to live, it's very FAMILY focused! To bring this type of business to our city would be disrespectful of our community, our children, and most of all the young ladies that would be working there. How many people would you want to see you patronizing a business that sells a young ladies respect at the low price of $4.00?

I am glad that most of us are healthy people, who stops at coffee stand to get coffee, not to ogle at young ladies, and Byron should see his psychologist, if he wants to avoid being registered as a sex offender with all the consequences, or maybe he is already one, and/or should be registered.

The guy's an ****... unfortunately, the job market being what it is, he can get away with it as there are several people chasing each job who would demean themselves just to have the job... I'll bet he's ageist, fatist, and discriminates against the disabled as well, only employing those who look good in the outfits

Paul Gloucester, England, UK.

High 5 Girlfriends!

And a strong kudo to the fellow (likely a gentleman) on the video who is taking his business elsewhere. Coffee is just coffee.

Picture this same scenario in an office setting. All women employees told to show up to work in their underwear. They must comply or quit. What the hell? They should have some sort of legal recourse because this is some messed up stuff.

Well I have to say that I am so proud of these women. Especially my 16 year old younger sister who worked for this man until he told her she had to dress skimpy. I think he should be out of business and I can only imagine that he declined comments because he realized that it would take one woman that used to work there to tell the real things he asked them to do. He is disgusting and should not be allowed to ask such things of such nice and caring women.I live in Monroe and I will be protesting the welcoming of Cowgirls in my hometown. We have children that need to be allowed to be children here. Thank you ladies for standing up in what you believe in. You make the town of Monroe proud!

All I can say is where is this Cowgirls? I'm there! It totally astonishes me at the way these women think this guy is a sexual preditor or something. If he wants to try and out do his compition and one of his ways are to come up with a dress code then more power to him. And for the girl whining about her mortgage, she would probably make more wearing the new uniform than she was before. And let me guess the women bitching 1.Don't have a slut brand on thier back. 2.Don't wear low rider jeans. 3.Don't wear tight tank tops. 4.Don't wear make up. 5. Don't flirt with the guys that come through the stand. Give me a break. One of these girls didn't like the guy and got the others on the band wagon for thier 10 seconds of fame. I'm for the owner, screw you girls.

"All I can say is where is this Cowgirls? I'm there!"
Good luck trying to find someone to serve you, as no one wants to work for a skeezy boss.

"It totally astonishes me at the way these women think this guy is a sexual preditor [sic] or something."
Yeah, just because he tries to use his position as their employer to illegally dictate that his female employees wear skimpy clothing to their place of work and all (see above posts by Emmy and al re: how his actions are in fact illegal). Astonishing.

"If he wants to try and out do his compition [sic] and one of his ways are to come up with a dress code then more power to him."
Yes, naturally the best way to outdo one’s competition is to implement sexist and sexualized policies at your place of work, and watch as your employees point and laugh at you before quitting. Real power play there.

"And for the girl whining about her mortgage, she would probably make more wearing the new uniform than she was before."
I don’t recall any whining, just a statement of fact that even though she has a mortgage to pay, she would rather work under better conditions with a more competent employer. Smart move in the long run really.
Also, considering that the customers interviewed said they would rather follow the baristas to new coffee stands rather than risk buying sub par coffee, and the fact that people in general said they would rather not buy coffee there, your theory holds no water.
Horny as a certain portion of the population may get over the thought of real life baristas wearing pornified costumes, I doubt they have enough money to make such a venture economically feasible. That, and I can’t imagine the irritation that dealing with en-hornied adolescent men who have had way too much caffeine would be like.

"And let me guess the women bitching 1.Don't have a slut brand on thier [sic] back."
I should hope that they haven’t had their backs branded, as that painful practice tragically is employed by organized crime rings that traffic women. Seriously, what a nonsensical comment that is Don.

"2.Don't wear low rider jeans."
Relevant how? Now women must take on responsibility for the fashion industry as well? Perhaps you should take a long hard look at India’s Dirty Laundry Project, or London’s I Did Not Ask For It campaign before you too try to justify degrading actions against women and girls based on your lazy and entitled judgment of their appearance.

"3.Don't wear tight tank tops."
See above.

"4.Don't wear make up."
See above.

"5. Don't flirt with the guys that come through the stand."
Hmm, perhaps you are one of the socially inept who thinks that people who work in customer service are flirting with him? I can guarantee they are not, they’re just being sociable and polite. Seeing as they are paid to interact with the public they would probably be fired if they acted on their instincts told you to shove off. Why, oh why does a segment of the population refuse to understand this?

"Give me a break. One of these girls didn't like the guy and got the others on the band wagon for thier [sic] 10 seconds of fame."
Yeah, it must be about the ten seconds of fame, rather than the desire to work with a competent employer and under decent working conditions.

Frankly, wouldn’t wearing skimpy outfits more easily buy you ten seconds of this fleeting fame?

"I'm for the owner, screw you girls."
Well, certain laws in place prevent this, much to the relief of female workers everywhere.

Who I can guarantee are pointing and laughing at you and your silly comments as I type this.

Especially since when push came to shove, they basically said screw you to the fool with the wet dreams.

Geez I forgot about this til i was looking through the blogs.... Last night I had a conversation with a cocktail waitress about her dress & mannerisms. She is a beautiful litle thing, & a good waitress, I try to compliment her & always make sure I tip her for her service. After a few of the customers made some very rude comments about her, I sat her down & asked her why she felt she had to dress the way she did, when she was in fact a pretty girl who was good at her job, well evidently a couple of the wildebeast girls at work told her she had to do this to get any tips, she also said she goes home & cries almost every night. I got her a cute little shirt out of my van, (& trust me she doesn't need to show men anything for them to notice her figure, I had to give her the shirt because it will never fit me right again)she came up to me not even 2 hours later & showed me 180.00 from just that time! She was so excited I thought she was going to cry. My husband came in later to meet me & I told him the story & he made sure to compliment her, he even tipped her for the first time. His thinking he felt since she was running around providing a peep show he didn't ask for he was going to pay for it too. I heard those girls whining about now they weren't going to get any tips since they all share them, & I told her to give me 100.00 & meet me out at the van. So she only had to share 80 with the pimp squad, the added bonus she said is she can stick a few tips down her bra if her b**bs weren't popped out. This kind of behavior takes a toll on the person, even if they engage in it willingly, to know that sure guys are visual creatures & most will look (using that as thier excuse), but it does something to your soul after a while, no man is going to want you except for one thing because the truth is that guys will look & they will touch but 98% of the time they don't keep. I wanted to tell everyone here where she works at but I don't want some of you up there eyeball-molesting her. looks like we wrangled a few pedifiles & sexual deviants up in this blog...

I think everyone is making a big deal out of nothing. If they want to work there then who cares don't go there. I am sure they make great money and it probably helps them throught school. It would be no different than working at hooters. If it is required attire to work there then they have the choice to work there or not.

Very true and well-thought out speech.

Well feamles have fought so long to be treated the same as men so we give it to them and it seems they cant handle it. See what happens. Come on now other females have great jobs so stop giving them a bad name.Put some clothes on

If its fair to require a dress shirt and tie at an office job. Then it's perfectly acceptable to require a dress code at a coffee stand. In america Buisnesses have been free to choose what the required attire is for ages. If i dont wanna wear a suit i wont work in an office. So if you don't want to wear a bikini then dont work at that coffee stand!

The only girls I know that work at a stand like that are just out of highschool and they just like the attention they get from the old men that come around. The only problem I really have with these stands is that there is a Cowgirls in our neighborhood that is RIGHT NEXT DOOR to Panther Lake elementary school. Kids can walk home right by it. I don't want the men that like that to come around the school. Gross! I'm a 23-year-old woman and I don't want men like that thinking all girls around here want attention from them! I really hope places like this can be moved out..