Spring Break
Bikini Cuts Not a Cut Above the Rest
Gerald Narcisso
Issue date: 5/25/05 Section: Opinion
When it comes to morals and standards, no state is more conservative than here in Utah. That is why it is surprising that Bikini Cuts, a hair salon where the stylists wear bikinis, originated in this very state. So, it's probably not a shocker that the business has fired up a little controversy since its doors opened two years ago.
Bethany Prince, is one of three owners of Bikini Cuts, which has a location in each Sandy and West Jordan. Both those locations caused a bit of an uproar in their respected communities when they first opened. But those obstacles are minor compared with what Prince has to deal with now that she plans to open a location in the Orem/Provo area sometime this year. The highly religious area has not exactly embraced the idea of having a sexually driven hair salon in their town. Residents are fearful that the business will fill the young men in the community with sexual thoughts. Prince and her associates tried to explain at a recent Provo City Council meeting that what their employees wear is not any different than what a person would see at a beach or public swimming pool. From what I have heard, Utah County residents weren't buying it.
I had heard about this controversy for quite some time, so I decided to go and see for myself what the big deal was. When I entered the Bikini Cuts in West Jordan earlier this week, I was definitely shocked. I was shocked at the fact that people actually made a big deal out of this place. The way this salon was made out in the media, I was expecting to see thongs, a stripper pole, and hearing the rap song "Tootsie Roll" echo in the background. Sure the women I saw were in fact wearing bikini tops. But all women were wearing either sarongs or shorts to cover their bottoms. I have honestly seen more scantly dressed workers at the mall. The only thing that offended me was the prices they charged. Since I buzz my own head, I guess I'll have to wait for my hair to grow out before I can justify shelling out the $25 to get the "ultra-scandalous" and "X-rated" Bikini Cuts hair cut experience (a little sarcasm, in case you didn't catch it).
Despite the hullabaloo, Prince and her associates still plan to keep expanding in Utah. They have received offers from some Las Vegas hotels to expand there, but they plan to have around 10 locations in Utah before venturing out of state. So I guess that means they will have to endure around 7 more silly protests.
This is just another example on how people in this state continue to find the most ridiculous little things to get upset over. Now it's not like I didn't grow up with any values or morals. The day they decide to open a brothel house or open the KKK Museum here, you can give me a picket sign and tell me where to march. But Bikini Cuts? I think the kids will survive.
Bethany Prince, is one of three owners of Bikini Cuts, which has a location in each Sandy and West Jordan. Both those locations caused a bit of an uproar in their respected communities when they first opened. But those obstacles are minor compared with what Prince has to deal with now that she plans to open a location in the Orem/Provo area sometime this year. The highly religious area has not exactly embraced the idea of having a sexually driven hair salon in their town. Residents are fearful that the business will fill the young men in the community with sexual thoughts. Prince and her associates tried to explain at a recent Provo City Council meeting that what their employees wear is not any different than what a person would see at a beach or public swimming pool. From what I have heard, Utah County residents weren't buying it.
I had heard about this controversy for quite some time, so I decided to go and see for myself what the big deal was. When I entered the Bikini Cuts in West Jordan earlier this week, I was definitely shocked. I was shocked at the fact that people actually made a big deal out of this place. The way this salon was made out in the media, I was expecting to see thongs, a stripper pole, and hearing the rap song "Tootsie Roll" echo in the background. Sure the women I saw were in fact wearing bikini tops. But all women were wearing either sarongs or shorts to cover their bottoms. I have honestly seen more scantly dressed workers at the mall. The only thing that offended me was the prices they charged. Since I buzz my own head, I guess I'll have to wait for my hair to grow out before I can justify shelling out the $25 to get the "ultra-scandalous" and "X-rated" Bikini Cuts hair cut experience (a little sarcasm, in case you didn't catch it).
Despite the hullabaloo, Prince and her associates still plan to keep expanding in Utah. They have received offers from some Las Vegas hotels to expand there, but they plan to have around 10 locations in Utah before venturing out of state. So I guess that means they will have to endure around 7 more silly protests.
This is just another example on how people in this state continue to find the most ridiculous little things to get upset over. Now it's not like I didn't grow up with any values or morals. The day they decide to open a brothel house or open the KKK Museum here, you can give me a picket sign and tell me where to march. But Bikini Cuts? I think the kids will survive.
