There's a new drive-thru coffee place that recently opened in North Seattle. (If you've ever been to Seattle, you're familiar with drive-thru coffee: little huts usually housing two women steaming milk, brewing drip and taking your money with their black-tipped fingernails.)
This new one is called "Chicka Latte" and the tagline is "Beautiful Coffee".
Upon first glance at their sign, I thought it featured mudflap girl. Kitty Cat and I took a closer look this morning, though, and found this:
Garumph. I'm prudish, I guess.
I think part of the problem is that I am familiar with the man who opened this place. I don't know him, really, or know his name, but he was getting his hair cut once when I took Fruit Bat in for a trim. He talked on his cell phone while the poor stylist tried to snip at the fringe wreathing his skull. He explained that he was starting a business, and loosely what it was, but didn't shorten (or, dog forbid, FOREGO) his call to accomodate the stylist or those of us in line behind him.
He came across as an arrogant fool, and I don't suffer those well.
When I first saw the Chicka Latte sign, I thought, Of course. Of course.
Next I wondered if the business name and sign were merely meant to catch the eyes of, well, anyone careening past, or if it was some gimmick, like Hooters, where the baristas would be dressed in shredded t-shirts and daisy dukes (not that I know what Hooters' waitresses wear, I'm only surmising).
Yes, indeedy, Chicka Latte is Seattle drive-thru coffee's answer to the Hooters of the world. Though they've twisted the premise a bit. The first woman I saw wore a tall, pink victorian wig, with Raggedy-Ann like spots of crimson on her cheeks, heavy eye makeup and (surprise!) a low-cut barmaid-ish dress. Her cohort was ragged out in something similar, only she sported pigtails and freckles.
I asked if the costumes were for Halloween or everyday. They said they wore them everyday. They said it was lots of fun. They were extremely friendly and helpful and even gave Kitty Cat a giant lollipop. I gave them a 50% tip.
It may be fun. It may be campy and even a little cool, but at the same time, I keep picturing that doofus baldy getting his hair cut and talking on his cell phone, continually referring to his girls, and I can't help think of a wannabe Hugh Hefner.
I can't help shaking my head a little and wanting to shield Kitty Cat's eyes everytime we drive that way to Target.
My best and oldest friend lives in Bremerton. On my last visit, she took me to her fave coffee-hut every morning Everyone working there looked like models, including the guys. Must be a prerequisite. The coffee was damn fine. Haven't had a decent cup since.
Love your blog, BTW. I clicked on your name after the response you left at Julia's, Here Be Hippogriff's. You funny, girl!!!!!
Posted by: Dara | October 17, 2007 at 02:21 PM
I've heard of this place! There was an article in our local newspaper awhile back, but I could never remember the name. I love the "beautiful coffee" tagline. I don't think I've ever heard coffee described as such. Interesting.
Posted by: kerrianne | October 17, 2007 at 06:47 PM
I don't like it at all. I think your instincts about this man were spot on.
Posted by: slouching mom | October 17, 2007 at 07:14 PM
Ahhhh...drive through coffee...only in my dreams.
Posted by: Kari Welch | October 17, 2007 at 07:59 PM
That guy sounds like a total tool. You described him perfectly -- I can just see him sitting there in the stylist chair. Was he wearing a leisure suit by any chance?
Beautiful coffee my a**! More like slutty (slightly weird) coffee. What's with the costumes?!
Posted by: Madame Queen | October 18, 2007 at 03:12 AM
Oh dear God. Well, at least the pervs now have their coffee joint (and it's all about the coffee isn't it? Like Hooters is about the chicken wings and Playboy is about the interviews).
As for the guy, karma's waiting. He sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Posted by: Paula | October 18, 2007 at 06:36 AM
Sex sells. I want drive-thru coffee places. We only have Mickey D's!
Posted by: meg | October 18, 2007 at 08:46 AM
Wouldn't you love to live via your inner child just one day? Then I would have taken his phone, dumped it in a sink and turned the water on full blast. Then I'd calmly say, "Nice cul-de-sac on your head, buttmunch."
But no, we have to play nice - even to people who don't deserve it!
Then again - thank goodness for them because you gave me a good laugh!
Posted by: Lyssa Ireland Thomas | October 18, 2007 at 09:17 AM
Sex will sell anything. First hot wings now coffee. What's next? Ice cream?
Posted by: Tootsie | October 20, 2007 at 08:06 PM