Burned Maine topless coffee shop seeks donations

[June 08, 2009]  VASSALBORO, Maine (AP) -- The owner of a Maine topless coffee shop destroyed by fire says he plans to have clothed waitresses collect donations in the parking lot to raise money to rebuild.

Under town zoning rules, Donald Crabtree would need a new permit to start operating his business from a trailer or other structure on the property in Vassalboro, just north of Augusta.

Crabtree tells the Kennebec Journal newspaper he's going to set up a tent instead and have employees hand out free doughnuts and coffee next to a collection jar.

His home and business were destroyed Wednesday in a deliberately set fire just hours after he had talked with local officials about making the business more like a strip club.

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Information from: Kennebec Journal, http://www.kjonline.com/

[Associated Press]

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