Maine- from www.mpbn.com – The owner of a topless coffee shop in Vassalboro destroyed by arson says he hopes to reopen his business in an office trailer. Donald Crabtree told the Kennebec Journal he plans go before the Vassalboro Planning Board tomorrow to get a new business permit for the controversial operation.
The original Grand View Topless Coffee Shop was burned to the ground in June in a fire authorities determined was deliberately set. The fire broke out after Crabtree proposed making the coffee shop more like a strip club. Crabtree also lived in the building, which was not insured.
Crabtree told the paper he’s hoping to get the business going again in a trailer that’s been set up on his property on Route 3. He said he hopes to eventually save enough money to get into a newer building.
The original coffee shop opened in February in a former motel, and featured topless waiters and waitresses serving doughnuts and coffee. It got complaints from residents, but did a brisk business.