CHICO — A proposed coffee business known for scantily clad employees is coming to Chico and that has some residents upset.

A sign announcing Bottoms Up Espresso is displayed at the former Java Detour at East First and Mangrove avenues, one of the busiest intersections in Chico.

The Modesto-based company touts its “bikini-clad baristas,” which has some residents concerned over what children will be seeing, according to the owner of a nearby dance school.

“The concern is that Hype Dance has 300-plus students coming in and out weekly and their exposure to the business is out of the kids’ control. This is their home, where they feel safe and comfortable,” said Hype Dance studio owner Sarah Schneeweis of Chico.

Schneeweis feels how women are being portrayed by the business is not appropriate and hopes the City Council looks into it.

“This dance studio is full of impressionable children,” she said Wednesday.

She’s also worried about the kind of customer who might be attracted to the business. Some parents said they will wait in their vehicles during class for the safety of their children, rather than dropping them off and heading out.

But company founder Nate Wilson of Modesto points out the attire is no different from beachwear.

Saying he was aware of the controversy surrounding the new location, Wilson pointed out, “It’s not anything you wouldn’t see at a swimming pool, or beach.”

Schneeweis said her students often would go to Java Detour for a beverage or snack.

“We’re at a time of going forward with how women are viewed. (This business) doesn’t align with that,” she said, adding there were issues with some of the menu items’ names.

“What if there’s a little girl seeing that asks what that is?” she said.

According to the website, there are items such as “The Big O” and “The Screamer.”

The property was purchased by an investor and is being leased to a franchisee out of Sacramento, Mudwater LLC, according to Wilson, who started Bottoms Up in 2011.

While other stores are farther south in the Central Valley, including Modesto, Tracy and Bakersfield, Wilson said the Chico location was probably pursued for “opportunity.”

“They could acquire the location and take it over,” he told his publication Wednesday, explaining it was easier to move into the location, which had been a drive-up coffee business.

Wilson said other locations have shown “30 to 40 percent women clientele because it’s a fun, outgoing business.” Some bring their children to get coffee, he said.

“We’re trying to keep it classy, not trashy,” Wilson said, saying there was a strict dress code.

“There are no G-strings. We have a handbook and employee policies. Those policies help keep employees presentable.”

For appearance and safety reasons, employees aren’t allowed to leave the kiosk to take orders, he said. The business will bring one to two full-time employees with about eight or so part time.

Calls to city

City Manager Mark Orme said the city has gotten numerous emails and calls about the business.

“There’s nothing we can do. It hasn’t opened,” said Orme on Tuesday.

The business is set to open about mid-September.

Orme also noted that the business conforms to the designated use of the property, which has been a drive-thru coffee seller for years.

The firm has applied for a business license from the city, explaining it’s a coffee, pastries and smoothies drive-thru business.

Orme said some critics are pointing fingers of blame at the city, but the city really isn’t involved. The coffee business is a conforming use from the previous occupant, and as long as it serves coffee and pastries, it’s within city regulations.

Orme said the only reason it needs to come to the city is for a business license, which it has, and for any different kinds of signs. The business license doesn’t allow it to operate, Orme noted, just sets up the taxing process that allows local sales. Signs would need to conform with the city’s regulations.

Orme said if it breaks the Municipal Code, the city can take action, but nothing can be done because it’s not open. Orme said there are rules in the Municipal Code about the amount of anatomical coverage of clothing,

The Bottoms Up website describes the business as “bikini-wearing baristas serving coffee.”

Wilson said that the franchisee isn’t planning on 24-hour operation, but could expand depending on the response. In addition to hot and cold coffees and teas, the drive-thru also serves smoothies, muffins, bagels, breakfast sandwiches and oatmeal, he said.

Asked about the situation, Chico Mayor Sean Morgan wrote in an email: “It’s unfortunate someone would come from out of town and put a business like this on one of our busiest intersections. Because the business doesn’t violate any City Code — they make money selling coffee — there isn’t anything ‘immediate’ that government can do. I can’t imagine the people of Chico will support such a concept, especially in that location. I expect the business to flame out and do so quickly as Chico already has a number of very successful, tasteful, well-run coffee houses.

“I’ve received many calls and emails from outraged citizens, most of them I suspect are parents of students at the next door dance studio. I am also aware of at least one council member that intends to add an item regarding Bottoms Up to the council agenda to see what may or may not be done.”