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| Owners posted this sign on the door of Café Aroma in Ridgecrest |
The city of Shoreline closed Café Aroma in Ridgecrest for operating without a valid business license and accused the cafe of hosting adult cabaret events without a license.
According to a search on the city’s website, the Café Aroma’s business license expired on 12/31/2023. The city requires businesses to have an Adult Cabaret license to host exhibitions and performances involving unclothed people or sexual activities.
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| A section of the Cease & Desist notice on the door of Café Aroma |
The cease and desist order posted on the door of the cafe said: “Pursuant to information provided to the City, business activities occurring at Café Aroma's location at 509 NE 165th Street necessitate both a General Business License, for the operation of an eating and drinking establishment (café), and a Regulatory Business License for the operation of an Adult Cabaret. Café Aroma currently does not maintain such licenses.”
The issue came to the attention of the city when a long-time Ridgecrest resident submitted a See-Click-Fix notice. In part, it said:
"I discovered that these events appear to be adult-oriented parties involving group sexual activities and BDSM practices.
"These events are particularly concerning given that they take place in what is typically used as the "kids' room" during the day, a space designed for children with toys and play areas."
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| Café Aroma in the Ridgecrest business district |
Tickets to the after-hours events were offered on Brown Paper Tickets with explicit details. That site has been taken down and neighbors have observed equipment being removed from the premises.
When the city investigated the issue they discovered that Café Aroma's Shoreline business license had expired at the end of 2023.
A second letter on the door is a Cease & Desist notice for operating without a food & drink license, as well as operating an unlicensed "cabaret".
Both notices state that the owners have 14 days to appeal the action.
Café Aroma is located at 509 NE 165th st Shoreline, WA 98155
Short or grande?
ReplyDeleteI’ll start with this: Having a dedicated space for the extracurricular activities is something that should exist. The puritanical beliefs that try to sweep it all under the rug are not helpful.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I’m not sure I want my kid in that play space. Nor would I want to play like that in a kids’ space.
Pretty sure the common sanitary etiquette in those groups would make it much cleaner than if just kids used it or your average Café.
DeleteWhy would this change whether or not you would want your kid in a play space? Does your kid go into different rooms in your house after you’ve been in them “after hours”? Do you, as an adult, move through spaces and then manage them to maintain safety for your kids during “kids hours”? Why would you assume this wasn’t being done in the cafe? A space is just a space, it can be used for different things at different times, and because of these actions a community staple is now closed.
DeleteThat space already exists, it’s called a hotel room.
Delete***To be clear the cafe was shut down because their business license lapsed. The company they were renting out the space to was hosting events and the owners of the cafe were unaware the events had moved to a more physical nature. They were told they were discussion groups, support groups, and LGBTQ+ and kink community safe place groups.****
ReplyDeleteWhat's the basis of this assertion, Anonymous poster? How do we know that the owners weren't aware? How are you sure of it?
DeleteDon’t do that. Do not make a statement as fact when you don’t have the necessary information. Everything being hosted was discussed and consented to, no one was deceived or in the dark about the after hours events. The events were not of a performative nature, they were not harming anyone, and they were kept discreet.
DeleteThey for sure knew what was going on, they just did not care.
DeleteThey absolutely knew- they were THERE while it was happening.
DeleteExcept that the event listings say that the space will be selling food and drinks and to consider supporting the business owners. So it seems they did know it was happening.
DeleteIn addition to be unlicensed to operate any business at all, whether that be food or “adult cabaret”.
What is wrong with people? Time for a re-branding!
ReplyDeleteA little too much aroma of the wrong kind 🤮
ReplyDeleteSo if they apply and get the required licenses then they will be able to re-open?
ReplyDeleteYeah right that the owners didn't know! That is a lame excuse. They knew. They removed a darn HUMAN CAGE from the building over the weekend. They knew and were a part of it. They allowed it. The owners violated their lease agreement likely, they may have broken the law, they may have caused a huge liability issue for the land-owner, and now who wants to get coffee from this place after you read the details of the event invite. The community needs them gone and for new owners to make the cafe just good coffee! A cease and desist is not given lightly, clearly that was ample reasons beyond that their business license lapsed.
ReplyDeleteYou are making huge assumptions here. The lease was not violated with any of the actions taken. It sounds like the business license had expired, the communication is that this was unintentional and in error, and the cafe owners are currently working on fixing this. I can’t imagine that you truly think a community staple needs to be closed and a family needs to be removed from their source of income because you saw a cage and that makes you uncomfortable? These are your neighbors and they were not causing any harm.
DeleteWell, I suppose the crew frequenting Café Orgasma could always meet after dark at Ridgecrest Park for something clandestine. There’s also the nearby Crest Theatre. Hint hint
ReplyDeleteYou are suggesting that instead of using a private space that kept events from being witnessed by passersby they use a public space that would almost certainly be visible to families or be disruptive to neighbors? How is that better? What would be a more acceptable way to have events rather than use the exact space that was being used to host with signs that designated a “private event”, kept windows covered, and warned “do not disturb”?
DeleteAt a recent after hours event, the organizers kindly asked patrons to "place a barrier between their genitals and any surfaces." I assume the surfaces in question are the overstuffed couches in back.
ReplyDeleteI don't care what consenting adults do in private, but foodservice by day/orgy by night is not gonna fly.
Sounds kind of like you care what consenting adults do in private. If there’s a barrier protecting surfaces, then that keeps things about as clean as is possible. There are plenty of folks spilling or sneezing or sweating into those couches without a barrier during the day, and you wouldn’t think twice about it because that’s just normal life. But when adult parties get mentioned with more than adequate hygiene practices that’s suddenly a step too far?
DeleteThe "Cease and Desist" notice seems pretty clear and refers to a lack of adult cabaret license, rather than the lack of a business license. The tickets for these "events" sold on Brown Paper, and viewable on NextDoor are explicit in describing the events (eg: "be creative with the couches, tables chairs and spaces. Please place a barrier between your genitals and any surfaces"). It's hard to imagine that the owners were unaware of what was taking place. Or that they failed to notice the equipment that was being installed.
ReplyDeleteBlackOnyx is not the cafe.. it was a group using the cafe
ReplyDeleteAfter a long bike ride I stopped there and sat my sweaty ass on the couch and felt bad. Not anymore
ReplyDeleteI asked for whipped cream! Not whipped.
ReplyDeleteThe employees knew exactly what was going on. Their online presence is easily found. It's easy to see these were the same people making me coffee.
ReplyDeleteThe Brown Paper Ticket event description mentioned potentially disturbing scenes of bondage, pain, begging, and screaming of a sexual nature. Sex dungeon equipment was also mentioned and protection requirements regarding the shielding of genitalia as a safety precaution. This sounds like pretty heavy kink to me and not something I’d want to be occurring in my local cafe especially in a kids play area.
ReplyDeleteAnd why would that be a problem if it was shielded from the public and not affecting daytime hours? These were private events, not events that were forced upon you, there is nothing happening that changes the nature of the cafe or that forces you to participate in something that clearly makes you uncomfortable.
DeleteThis was a problem because it’s an event that is a biohazard. When bodily fluids (semen, blood, fecal matter,etc) are spread in a non clinical setting, this is a public health concern. C-Diff, Ecoli, Hepatitis, Herpes... Does this make you comfortable while you enjoy your latte and pastry? Perhaps there are guidelines for removal and sanitation procedures that can be shared with the public to alleviate concerns? The owners and party attendants prioritized their own personal desires over that of the larger community and families that have supported the cafe. However, the closure noted a lapse in licensing which has nothing to do with anyone’s personal concerns, health concerns or opinions. (Please refer to the CDC and OSHA guidelines as to what constitutes a biohazard if you have further questions)
Deletehttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1C1fFpRgSKMJ5xdT5qI595LMRZAdYo0fQ/view?usp=drivesdk
ReplyDeleteThis cafe was lackluster for years. Definitely in need of someone to overhaul it and made it a more neighborhood friendly spot.
ReplyDeleteNO it wasn’t. It was the best coffee shop in neighborhood and turned into disaster after it was sold
DeleteNo, it was great family friendly coffee shop
DeleteI agree it was lacking in coffee quality for years. Never understood how Fidalgo Bay (coffee supplier) would allow the cafe to reflect their brand.
DeleteAgree
DeleteI am hopeful the business makes it through this hard time. I attended the discussion groups (held privately after hours), and have frequented this coffee shop for years. It is a safe place run by welcoming people, which is largely why I felt at ease attending the discussion groups. I am deeply sad that the moral outrage of a few has so much sway and sought to destroy a supportive safe space for members of the lgbtq community and sex-positive/consent-positive folks.
ReplyDeleteDISGUSTING. The neighborhood shoul NEVER, EVER support this people. It was a great family friendly coffee shop before.
ReplyDeleteThey need to be transparent about people having sex on the furniture that daytime cafe people sit on as well as the blood and fluid play that happens within this eating establishment. Hiding this information from clientele is dishonest and shady. Children climb all over the upholstered furniture and they need to give information on how well they clean everything. Laying down a towel is not enough, fluids soak through fabric easily and splatter far. Blood and semen has the potential to carry a variety of diseases and customers deserve to know. So gross.
ReplyDeleteHow sad.
ReplyDeleteLeave it to the nanny laws of Seattle. Let the adults play! Live and let love. They should rename it Cafe Leather Aroma!
ReplyDeleteIt’s Shoreline, not Seattle.
DeleteHow can an event which involves physical and mental abuse of individuals for the sexual gratification of others be construed as being a “safe space”?
ReplyDeleteYou know some people like being hit for their own sexual gratification, too, right? It's a safe place when they ask to stop and play stops, it's safe when rules are posted and followed, and it's safe when the owners have the proper licenses to protect their customers and themselves.
DeleteWithout your sex parties the neighbors can’t survive and they are really stressed about it:)
ReplyDeleteSo have a party at your own house.
DeleteWhere is the Ridgcrest Neighborhood Association? How come they don’t say or post anything about this issue? Is this caring for neighborhood? Hmmmm, SMH
ReplyDeleteI don’t think the RNA should be expected to comment or provide opinion on such matters. These are private business affairs that involve licensing, permitting, and regulatory issues.
DeleteI’m curious how many of the people mourning the closure of Cafe Aroma are from the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteProbably not many
DeleteThis isn't about being NIMBY.
ReplyDeleteYOU CAN'T ALLOW FECES, EJACULATE, AND BLOOD IN A DINING ESTABLISHMENT! Let alone think that you can 100% clean these fluids off furniture. And the fact that this was also done in the "children's' play area" is disgusting. It's hilarious to me these same employees wore face masks for covid, but see no issue with this.
On the brown paper ticket site it said "flaming poop guns" weren't allowed, but accidental feces was okay. Pretty sure I'm not gonna want to get a coffee and bagel the next day there. I'm not against what they were planning, but bad location. And now the owners are acting like it's just discrimination against LGBT people and themselves. Not even keeping your business license updated is against the lease and law.
ReplyDeleteOn the brown paper ticket site they said "flaming poop guns" were not allowed, but accidental feces was okay. Even if they had their food and beverage permit up to date, I'm fairly sure I wouldn't feel comfortable eating there the next day. And the owners were totally aware. They have a polyamorous family ,and this was not their first event similar to this. They just finally got caught. I say do whatever you want, and I'm not judgmental until it comes to things like this in a food and beverage establishment..
ReplyDeleteOh brother. Who cares? Really who cares? So what? I've been to a Denny's at 2 in the morning and seen worse! I think the real question and one to ask the Shoreline City Council(Especially if you are so passionate about it) is why was a business allowed to operate months without a business license? Makes you wonder how many more are operating this way in Shoreline...
ReplyDelete