03/03/2009
A Visit to Maine's Topless Coffee Shop
A Vassalboro, Maine coffee shop owner is trying to beat the recession by steaming up the product. ID's are checked at the door.
Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 11:43 AM EST by Andy Towle in Food & Drink, Maine, News | Permalink
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I didn't realize there were cute topless guys as well as girls. What a brilliant idea.
Posted by: sam | Mar 3, 2009 11:53:36 AM
I'm struggling to figure out what anyone's possible objection to this could be besides being repressed, intrusive, overly controlling busybodies.
I know I'd spend more money at Starbucks if a particular barista would work shirtless...
Posted by: John M | Mar 3, 2009 12:06:35 PM
I take my coffee with two sugars and a chest pube.
Posted by: crispy | Mar 3, 2009 12:13:35 PM
I don't drink coffee. But I'd be willing to start if this were nearby.
Posted by: David | Mar 3, 2009 12:19:16 PM
Starbucks are you listening......
Posted by: alan brickman | Mar 3, 2009 12:26:51 PM
Sign me up !
Posted by: Hephaistion | Mar 3, 2009 12:40:30 PM
I think its a novel idea and shouldnt offend anyone. But having been a barista for several years, I can tell you he's likely in violation of several health codes. I mean, I had to wear gloves to serve bagels--I cant imagine you can be shirtless. Plus, I still have scars on my hands from the scalding hot milk--I dont wanna think about a hot cappuccino splashing on that twink's six-pack. (Okay, maybe I do a little bit.)
Posted by: dizzyspins | Mar 3, 2009 12:42:53 PM
It's kinda depressing and dull inside there. After all this hoopla about the "topless coffee shop", the last thing I was expecting was something that looked like a church basement.
Posted by: Steve | Mar 3, 2009 12:55:01 PM
Cute idea, although that looks like a pretty terrible coffee shop. If I'm gonna pay $2 (or, as the sign says, 2$) for a donut, my gas-station-quality hot chocolate better come with a slap on the ass.
Posted by: Billy | Mar 3, 2009 1:20:20 PM
Unless it's Jason Momoa (google his fine ass), I'd rather my food and beverage servers wear clothes.
Posted by: Derek Washington | Mar 3, 2009 1:44:56 PM
I'm not against it but it just seems stupid. Coffee and topless servers? Meh.
Posted by: D.R.H. | Mar 3, 2009 3:00:53 PM
I have to agree that it looks like a pretty bleak and miserable place, as coffee houses go. The staff aren't attractive enough to warrant my paying anyone for gas station quality coffee. Plus, that can't be safe or hygienic.
More power to him for finding something to get customers in the door, but honestly, I think it's a pretty dumb idea, and won't last.
Posted by: Desideratum | Mar 3, 2009 3:25:07 PM
1) Slow news day in Maine?
2) What are they burning in the fireplace? Is firewood scarce in Maine?
3) It doesn't look like the security guard has much work to do.
Posted by: GS | Mar 3, 2009 3:27:57 PM
Uh huh...one or the other; food or sex, not food and sex. That assocation can turn into problems, I've heard tell. The church basement line summed it up pretty nicely--the the cigarette dangling from the owner's lips also adds some nice local character, too (nothing says class like marlboro lights and a moustache! Throw in some dv, and coffee bradny and you're halfway to the county fair). I mean, who wants osha interfering with your sex life? I find this concept absurd; though it's not original (in maine). And the human food tables are just...I'm not a stripper person. I don't get it, and I don't wanna get it.
Posted by: TANK | Mar 3, 2009 4:22:14 PM
i don't see any difference between this place and any other restaurant/bar/coffee place where the waitress is either wearing a tinny top and/or short mini skirt (i.e.: hooters).
i would love to see that first thing in the morning with my hot coffee though. Its all about equal opportunity honey.
Posted by: amy | Mar 3, 2009 5:35:18 PM
there are topless servers at bars everywhere in this country...sometimes wearing just a thong...serving coffee is no different...they just need to jazz up that place and make it more loungy...no amount of pecs is going to get anyone to hang out there for long if the decor is so depressing.
Posted by: Marica | Mar 3, 2009 5:36:14 PM
Coffee?
Posted by: Todd Marsh | Mar 3, 2009 6:04:55 PM
Is it only the staff or do the customers also have to be topless. "My body's all right, but not in perspective and not in the light." (LOL)
Posted by: Tom Lawrence | Mar 3, 2009 6:58:05 PM
Is it only the staff or do the customers also have to be topless. "My body's all right, but not in perspective and not in the light." (LOL)
Posted by: Tom Lawrence | Mar 3, 2009 7:01:16 PM
Wished Starbucks did this. They could hire that guy.
Posted by: dm | Mar 3, 2009 7:41:27 PM
That owner was icky greasy.
Posted by: anon | Mar 3, 2009 8:35:03 PM
Hey i know that guy, he's actually over 30 so he's no twink
Posted by: biggayneil | Mar 3, 2009 8:51:06 PM
Starbucks will one-up them. Totally nude staff.
Called.....wait for it........Starbucknaked.
Posted by: gr8guyca | Mar 4, 2009 5:08:01 AM
Doesn't look like they're very busy... How good is the coffee?
Crispy: That was hysterical!
Posted by: Chris | Mar 4, 2009 1:16:22 PM