While some residents are getting steamed up over bikini-clad woman serving coffee in Brighton Township, Hot Spot Coffee Co. co-owner Brenda Zelda said people shouldn't knock her place until they actually try it.

If the shop, which opened Monday, isn't your cup of tea, well, Zelda has some advice.

"If you don't like it, don't come," she said.

Longtime Brighton Township resident Bill Russell is one of them.

"It sleazes up the area," Russell said. "It really is the worst image you could have for a community like Brighton."

While he's not against the business itself, Russell took exception with the banner which stated, "Topless Tuesday." One can only imagine what he might think of the next theme day, which is "Bottomless Wednesday." It refers to free coffee refills.

Russell said the township should be able to get rid of the shop's "objectionable signage." If the township doesn't have that authority, he said the township needed to create some community standards so it could.

"That stuff is offensive," Russell said.

So far, Zelda said, business has been going well at the coffee shop, where the baristas — slim, attractive women typically in their 20s — wear lingerie, bikinis and other sexy outfits while serving customers their choice of beverages and items such as pulled pork sandwiches and breakfast burritos.

She unabashedly said "sexy sells" but made it clear nothing "inappropriate was happening at any of our locations."

The shop opened Monday, and she said many female customers have stopped by and were excited about the new business, which she runs with her husband, Gary.

However, she said, this store has generated more controversy than her other two stores, and she took issue with the tone. She said the more distasteful comments on Daily Press & Argus story chat forums imply she can't be a good Christian woman running this type of business.

"We are not allowed to be Christian people because we do this?" she said. "Really? I'm a Catholic."

She also said her parents don't have a problem with her running this shop.

"I don't believe people should be judging, hating, until they come by and see what we're doing," she said.

Brenda and Gary Zelda treat their nine female employees like family, taking them to a cabin up north during the Labor Day weekend and having family dinner nights. The Zeldas have two sons who are currently attending the University of Michigan. She said they've been active volunteers in their Oakland County community, serving as troop leaders for Boy Scouts and coaching their sons' baseball teams.

She said the theme days are a play on words and part of their "game plan."

"We are shaking things up a little in a town where things needed to be shaken up," she said.

The shop, 4608 S. Old U.S. 23 near Spencer Road and Interstate 96, represents Hot Spot Coffee Co.'s third location. There are also locations in Waterford Township and Troy.

While the owners believe they're bringing some fun to the township, Brighton Township Hall has been flooded with telephone calls and e-mails complaining about the new shop. Dan Bishop, township manager, said the township has received 50-60 calls and e-mails from residents upset about Hot Spot.

"They just think it's not appropriate for the community," Bishop said.

He said the township attorney has reviewed the sign and dress issues, and the shop is legal. He said the owners received a permit for their theme banner.

"(The location) was approved as a coffee shop since 1990, and so long as this use continues, they need no approval from the township," Bishop said.

He said the business is legal so long as "specific anatomical areas are covered."

Source: BusinessLansing.com

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100728/NEWS03/307280003/1001/news/Coffee-shop-opens-in-Michigan-with-bikini-clad-baristas-%28w/-video%29