Bikini Cuts drawing heat in Provo

PROVO — Provo City Councilman Paul Warner asked city police officers Tuesday night if there was anything they could do when a Bikini Cuts employee took off a coat and stood in the lobby of City Hall in a bikini.

The answer was no. And the exchange might prove to be a preview of how powerless city leaders might be if they try to keep the controversial hair salon out of their conservative city.

"Our thing is we'll do nothing more than PG," Bikini Cuts owner Mike Fuller said after addressing the City Council on Tuesday.

The manager of his Sandy location, Desiree Foster, posed for television cameras with a wrap over the bottom half of her bikini. When the interviews were over, she put on an overcoat.

Fuller told the council he might have a signed lease by the end of the week and could open the doors of a Provo Bikini Cuts within 30 days.

"The Provo location is an actual finished salon," he said, so that would accelerate the opening. However, Fuller also said the salon still could end up in Orem and that he was being purposefully vague.

"We were going to open a store in Murray, but the location was sabotaged because people threatened the landlord. Now we wait to announce a location until everything is completely wrapped up."

Two Provo residents urged the council to pass ordinances that would keep Bikini Cuts out of the city.

"Provo is a place people move to for a good environment for their children," said Jackie DeGaston, a Utah Valley attorney and neighborhood activist. "This is a place with religious standards. We need to come up with ordinances to prevent any erosion of that image."

"I would suggest an ordinance in Provo that workers in any business that includes kids and teenagers in its clientele be appropriately dressed," said Kim Hawley, a mother and family law paralegal.

Outside the meeting, Hawley added, "I hate to see Provo become like the rest of the world. We need to keep it a place where children don't need to hide their eyes in a shopping mall."

Provo's code allows sexually oriented businesses in a portion of the city's East Bay area or in the Ironton development, spokeswoman Raylene Ireland said.

Bikini Cuts will have to apply for a business license and operate in parts of the city that allow businesses like Bikini Cuts.

However, Fuller said Bikini Cuts doesn't fit the definition of a sexually oriented business.

"Our girls are cutting hair in the same type of outfit you see girls in at the swimming pool or the gym," he said.