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Tags: Starbucks Alternatives / Sexpresso / Coffee Shops / Bizarre / → All Tags
'Sexpresso' Stands Proliferate; Will They Put the ‘Bux Out of Biz?
We’ve been covering the saga of Maine’s Topless Coffee Shop pretty religiously here on Jaunted, so we’re pleased (and a little perplexed) to report that the concept of barely-clothed baristas has now officially spread from coast to coast.
We don’t know how we missed this one up until now, but it turns out the birthplace of coffee shops itself—Washington State—is pioneering a new trend of so-called “sexpresso” stands like Lakewood’s Hot Hut and the mini-chain Moulin Brew, which has locations in Yakima and Tacoma. The stands all feature lattes served by female baristas who wear outfits that Starbucks most certainly would not approve of. No one is actually topless, but there’s an awful lot of duct tape and not much actual clothing. It's a bit like the thrill of watching scrambled adult cable channels.
Tags: Starbucks Alternatives / Coffee Shops / Coffee / Bizarre / Crime / Maine Travel / → All Tags
Maine's Topless Coffee Shop Reopens as Topless Tent
We've got good news for New England travelers who like their caffeine fix but hate it when their servers wear shirts. Turns out the nation's oddest Starbucks Alternative is down, but far from out.
The Grand View Coffee Shop, which was burned to the ground by a moral crusader last week, has already reopened. Owner Donald Crabtree erected a tent on the site of his destroyed cafe, and the topless waitresses have volunteered to work just for tips (to be fair, we'd bet they get better tips than your local Starbucks barista).
Topless Coffee one; moral crusaders zero.
Related Stories:
· Arsonist Destroys Maine's Topless Coffee Shop [Jaunted]
· Maine Opens Topless Coffee Shop; Hopefully With Frost Bite Insurance [Jaunted]
· Burned topless coffee shop reopens in a tent [Jaunted]
[Photo: AP]
Tags: Crime / Starbucks Alternatives / Coffee Shops / Coffee / Bizarre / → All Tags
Arsonist Destroys Maine's Topless Coffee Shop
Earlier this year we told you about what we thought was a pretty fantastic moment in the history of coffee shops. Grand View Topless Coffee Shop opened its doors in Vassalboro, Maine. As far as we know, Grand View was the only place in the country where you could order a cappuccino and crueller and have it served by a topless waiter or waitress.
An ingenious business plan if you ask us, but unfortunately, not all of Grand View's neighbors were so enamored. A fire destroyed the coffee shop early Wednesday morning, and police say it was set by an arsonist. The fire came just a few hours after the shop's owner, Donald Crabtree, had appeared before the local planning board to defend his operation, and followed several complaints about Grand View.
Undeterred, Crabtree vows to reopen his business, but for now, the nation has lost its most unique Starbucks alternative.
Related Stories:
· Topless coffee shop destroyed in arson fire [Boston Globe]
· Maine Opens Topless Coffee Shop; Hopefully With Frost Bite Insurance [Jaunted]
· Maine travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Boston Globe/AP]
Tags: Races / Athletic Travel / Bizarre / Sports Travel / → All Tags
A Race Only San Francisco Could Run
Not everybody loves San Francisco's climate, but long-distance runners sure do. With mild, never-too-hot weather (this week's crazy-freak heat wave not withstanding) it's no surprise the Bay Area hosts its fair share of 5Ks, half-marathons and full marathons.
But if we had to pick one footrace to fly to SF for, it would clearly be the Bay to Breakers 12K, coming up this May 17. It's the one that tends to bring out San Francisco's—well, San Francisco side. Among the 70,000 runners, there will surely be some participants dressed up as superheroes, ballerinas, or just a guy or gal in running shoes—and nothing else.
The race cuts a perfect cross-section through SF's most picturesque areas, starting just off the Bay by the Embarcadero and continuing across Hayes Street to Golden Gate Park before finishing along the Pacific, where runners are greeted with "footstock," a post-race concert.
Related Stories:
· Bay to Breakers [Official Site]
· San Francisco travel guide [Jaunted]
· Marathon on the Meditteranean [Jaunted]
[Photo: Inkyhack]
Tags: Quirky Travel / Contests / Bizarre / Brooklyn / Bars / → All Tags
Is Your Facial Hair of World Champion Quality?
Aside from the occasional octogenarian who refuses to admit the Dodgers ever moved away, Brooklyn is not known for its sports prowess. But that doesn't mean it isn't a highly competitive place, so we're glad to see the Williamsburg crowd has found something productive to channel their energy into.
The borough's competitive streak will be on display this Saturday at Public Assembly for the New York City Beard and Moustache Championships. Cash prizes will be awarded for the craziest facial hair in a wide range of categories, including goatee, sideburns, patchy beard, full-grown freestyle, and yes, even a contest just for the ladies (who are allowed to fake it).
Who knows? You might even catch a facial hair legend-in-the-making. The best of the best may try their luck at the World Beard and Moustache Championships (no joke), to be held this Spring in Anchorage, Alaska.
Related Stories:
· New York City Beard and Moustache Championships [Official Site]
· World Beard and Moustache Championships [Official Site]
· Brooklyn travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: roendoftheroad]
