Bottoms Up Espresso, a bikini barista coffee business, is looking to hire women to work at a planned Hanford store that has drawn some pushback. Bottoms Up image

Hanford residents appear to be mobilizing in an effort to stop a new coffee shop coming to town.

Modesto-based bikini barista franchise Bottoms Up Espresso has applied for a business license to operate at 2431 N. 10th Ave. in the Northwood Plaza strip mall in Hanford, according to a city official.

Other tenants at Northwood Plaza include a smoke shop and a children’s learning center;.

A post from November 2023 on the Bottoms Up Espresso’s Hanford Instagram states the company is looking to hire “awesome ladies to spice up our new coffee stand location.”

That Instagram link was included in a flyer circulating online encouraging Hanford residents to attend the 7 p.m. City Council meeting on Tuesday to express their opposition to the drive-through coffee stand to be run by women (typically) dressed in lingerie or bathing suits.

 

Posted on the popular “Hughes Newz” Hanford news Facebook group, the flyer generated 365 comments and 138 user reactions.

Deputy City Manager Jason Waters said the city does not have a timeline as to when the coffee stand could open. A message left at the Bottoms Up business office was not returned Monday afternoon.

City Community Relations Manager Brian Johnson said they are aware some residents might have strong opinions about a bikini barista stand opening in town.

“We hear them, but ultimately they are a coffee shop and planning to open in an area where coffee shops are allowed,” Johnson said.

Hanford, like most cities, does have an adult oriented business ordinance. Johnson said under the ordinance, Bottoms Up business proposal does not fall under the definition.

Waters said the city did not actively recruit Bottoms Up to open in Hanford, but they have been proactive in attracting business activity to town.

“As far as this business goes, what they are proposing to do is allowed in that location, and as a city, we are not going to say, ‘we don’t like that’ or ‘you can’t do that’,” Waters said.

Susana Gonzalez is the Hanford resident that created the “No to Bottoms Up” flyer.

As an art teacher and artist herself, she said it wasn’t a lot of work to put the flyer together to let the community know a bikini barista coffee stand is coming to town. 

Gonzalez said she is concerned that children could be exposed to “pornographic” images, and that the women working at the stand could face harassment from male customers. 

“I’ve listened to a few woman who work at places like this who are disrespected and talked to in a way that’s demeaning to them. Sex sells and that’s what they are selling,” Gonzalez said. 

As an art teacher for the last 15 years, Gonzalez said she has seen first hand the effects images could have, especially on young boys. 

She also has concerns regarding an elementary school located just down the street of the strip mall. 

According to the company website, Bottoms Up Espresso has 12 locations including one in Clovis on Shaw Avenue.