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PROVO, Utah (AP) -- Bikini Cuts owner and CEO Mike Fuller told the Provo City Council that his hair salon business is not sexually oriented.
Bikini Cuts, at which the stylists wear bikinis, has one operation in Sandy and is planning to open another in Provo or Orem within the next two months.
"We're not here to try to offend anyone or bother anyone," Fuller told the council Tuesday night. "It's just a bunch of good girls trying to make a living."
There were muffled sounds of disapproval throughout the chambers as Fuller spoke, but none spoke out from their seats.
Council Chairwoman Cynthia Dayton advised the public that cheering, booing or clapping after comments was inappropriate.
She also discouraged any public presenters from removing clothing in front of the crowd. However, the manager of Sandy Bikini Cuts, DesirÄee Foster, did just that later outside the chamber. She wore a bikini with a wrap around the bikini bottom.
Fuller said he's getting calls from people saying "over their dead body" would a Bikini Cuts open in Utah County.
"We just wanted to show them it's not that big of a deal," Fuller said. "We knew that it was going to cause a big fuss."
Resident Kim Holley suggested the city pass an ordinance that would require employees of any business involving children or teenagers as clients to be properly clothed.
"It just seems like we need to look at community standards," said Jacqueline DeGaston, the assistant chair of the Little Rock Canyon neighborhood. "We should put a freeze on such business approvals until we get thorough citizen input."
The controversial business already has shops in Sandy and West Jordan, and Fuller plans to open one in downtown Salt Lake City the same week the Utah County salon opens.
Miki Grant, a Provo marriage and family therapist, said the salon poses a risk of putting sexual thoughts in the minds of children at a young age.
City Council members did not comment during the meeting, but Councilman Paul Warner said outside the chambers, "I just think it's totally inappropriate for our community. It's a sad commentary on what people think they need to do to make a splash."
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
