Neighbors split on topless coffee shop

VASSALBORO, Maine, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- People living near a former motel in Vassalboro, Maine, give differing opinions on a plan to transform the venue into a coffee shop with topless servers.

Donald Crabtree's request for a business permit to open a topless coffee shop in the former Grand View Motel is scheduled to be considered Tuesday by the Vassalboro Planning Board, the Kennebec (Maine) Morning Sentinel reported Tuesday.

Crabtree said he does not want to discuss the proposal before the planning board has made a decision, but neighbors of the derelict motel had mixed opinions.

"This is a rural town," neighbor Becky Young said. "It's country. People move here to be quiet. I think it would bring a bad crowd."

However, Mike Provencher, who's lived on the same road as the motel for 20 years, said previous bars and topless establishments at the location did not cause problems.

"I'm hoping whatever takes place, hangs in there," Provencher said. "There were entertainment gals there before and it didn't seem like it was problematic."