Tamer look for Pink Pantherz

“We want to show the community that we still care by making these changes and, at the end of the day, I’m OK with it,” said Carmona, who owns three other drive-thru bikini coffee bar establishments in Fremont, Fresno and Modesto.

Pink Pantherz drew the ire of residents from the North Fair Oaks neighborhood, county officials and others earlier this year with plans to open a shop built around adult themes.

Initially, women dressed in bikinis were planned to sell drinks such as the panty dropper, booty call and threesome at the former Caffino location at 2797 El Camino Real. But under the revised plan, Carmona said the menu will be toned down with names such as the aloha, jaw dropper and triple threat. Gone also is the sign displaying an evocative female silhouette and the risqué dress code.

With a decision from the county Board of Supervisors last month, Pink Pantherz baristas were restricted from wearing bikinis, or it would be considered an adult entertainment business, which is not allowed in the site’s zoning code. Clothes must completely cover employees’ bottoms and breasts, per the mandate.

While the exact amended dress code is still yet to be determined, Carmona said he hoped the company’s tamer look and feel will be more acceptable to those put off by his initial plan.

“I really hope they don’t get offended now,” he said.

Sister Christina Heltsley, executive director of the nonprofit St. Francis Center at 151 Buckingham Ave., was among several community members who raised concerns about the business at the county’s Board of Supervisors meeting last month.

She said she appreciated Carmona’s willingness to acknowledge the frustrations raised by locals who felt the business was sexually exploitative and promoted themes incompatible with the community’s values.

“He’s gotten the message very loudly and clearly that the community does not find this appropriate and doesn’t want this,” she said. “And to his credit, he’s trying to hear the voice of the community that his business wants to join.”

Heltsley added she believed Carmona was unprepared for the mighty opposition directed at his company after announcing plans to open in Redwood City.

“I think that he was surprised by the reaction of the community, and he said he’s never had this kind of opposition before,” said Heltsley, who discussed with Carmona his revised ideas for the company.

Heltsley organized a march opposing the shop on its opening day, and said the event will still take place — with Carmona’s blessing — despite the amended business plan.

She noted the march will take place after the business closes, and said she felt it is important for the community to have a chance to celebrate its victory in pushing back.

“This is not a march about rubbing his nose in it or anything. It’s not like he lost, we won. It’s not a we versus they thing. It’s a celebration of community achievement,” she said.

For his part, San Mateo County Supervisor Warren Slocum, whose district includes North Fair Oaks, commended Heltsley’s work with Carmona.

“I think the owner felt the community pressure and I would say it is the power of people organizing and also the work of the county and I think in the end he wanted to be a good neighbor, hence the decision,” he said.

Slocum also credited Carmona’s willingness to kowtow to the community’s concerns.

“I respect his decision, and I think it was the right decision for a person in the business world,” he said.

With a commitment to assure Carmona follows through on his promises, Slocum even expressed a willingness to patronize Pink Pantherz once it opens.

“I’ll drive through in the future, assuming he keeps his end of the bargain,” he said.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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