10 months ago
VASSALBORO (NEWS CENTER) -- A proposal to open a topless coffee shop in Vassalboro has been approved for permit by the town planning board.
The board voted unanimously Tuesday night for Donald Crabtree's coffee shop, saying his application had everything it needed.
The coffee shop will be open between 6am and 6pm, which has many residents concerned about children in the area.
Many townspeople stood up during the meeting to say the topless coffee shop had no place in a small town. They say it may attract business, but not the kind they're looking for.
The coffee shop would be located at the former location of Mac Daddy's Pub at The Fat Cat Grille - just beyond the Augusta town line.
Crabtree says it will be a small shop, only taking up the middle section of the large building, and seating 25 people - and while food may be served there, none of it will be cooked at the site.
The planning board says the only thing the town can do to close down the shop is to create an ordinance, but that wouldn't be voted on until Town Meeting in June.
Other than that, Crabtree's next step to open is to meet with the State Fire Marshal and then Health & Human Services.
NEWS CENTER
