Topless Maine Coffee Shop Reopens in Tent

VASSALBORO, Maine — The Grand View Topless Coffee Shop, which was destroyed in an arson fire last week, has reopened in a tent with fully dressed servers handing out free doughnuts and coffee and collecting donations for a rebuilding fund.

The fire caused $500,000 in damage to the shop and adjacent former motel where shop owner Donald Crabtree lived, and he did not have insurance.

"We're under a tent but we're still here," Crabtree told a local TV station. "Everybody's safe, so it's just material. So, we'll rebuild again and get going."

Under local zoning rules, Crabtree would need a new permit to operate his business from a trailer or other structure on the property. The tent is exempt from those rules.

Crabtree said the tent will remain open all week, rain or shine.

At a town meeting Monday night, Vassalboro residents voted almost unanimously to restrict adult businesses in the town, with only five people out of more than 400 voting against the ordinance.

The new rules will set guidelines on how close an adult business can be to schools, homes, churches and parks, and regulate signage and the exterior of buildings.

After the fire, town officials said that the Grand View Coffee Topless Shop would be grandfathered if Crabtree rebuilds the shop exactly as the planning board approved earlier this year. If Crabtree tries to build anything else, it would fall under the new guidelines of this ordinance, which takes effect immediately.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

XBIZ Honors Retail Edition to Light Up Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the pleasure industry’s biggest night, the retail edition of the annual XBIZ Honors, set for Saturday, Jan. 18, will be held at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

Pipedream Expands 'Anal Fantasy Elite' Collection

Pipedream Products has expanded its Anal Fantasy Elite collection with two new stimulators.

Orion Expands 'Couples Choice' Line With New '2 in 1' Vibe

Orion Wholesale has added the 2 in 1 Vibrator + Butt Plug to its Couples Choice collection of pleasure products.

Lovense Unveils 'Mission 2' Long Distance Vibe

Lovense has introduced the new Mission 2 vibrating suction cup dildo to its long-distance collection.

Male Power Debuts 'Pack & Play' Collection

Male Power has introduced its new Pack & Play collection of men's underwear.

Orion Debuts New Styles From Cottelli Lingerie

Orion Wholesale is now shipping new styles from its Cottelli Curves plus-size lingerie line.

Sportsheets Unveils Rebranded 'Edge' Line, 9 New Products

Sportsheets has debuted its reimagined Edge line featuring nine new products.

Our Erotic Journey's James Guo Profiled on Wired.com

James Guo, founder of pleasure brand Our Erotic Journey (OEJ), is profiled in a new feature on Wired.com titled "The Toymaker Who Wants to Be the Next Willy Wonka of Sex Tech."

Williams Trading Unveils 'Christmas Giftables' Catalog

Williams Trading Co. has released this year's edition of its "Christmas Giftables" digital catalog.

Magic Silk Debuts 'Leather + Lace' Collection

Magic Silk has introduced its new Leather + Lace lingerie collection.

Show More