By Bethany Overland

Miranda, Bridget, Jen, Kendra and Chelsea-it almost sounds like a new era dawning of "Sex & the City." But the five ladies of Sweet Cheeks Espresso want the public to know they're peddling more than just sexiness in this city, despite community complaints about racy advertising and too-skimpy attire.

The controversial espresso stand, located on Pacific Highway South and 262nd Street in Des Moines, says it is no "Cowgirls" or "Bikini Baristas," simply there for the ogling.

"Of course our feminine appeal alone can only keep you around for a while," croons the Sweet Cheeks website. "That's why we are trained to understand coffee as a culinary art and are considered the 'tops of our field' (with the bottom to go along with it.)"

With a "Corsets are not a crime" tagline, the girls wear burlesque-type outfits, a throwback to sassy Mae West or sensual Betty Page, they say. Though there's definitely some cleavage, some leg, and a bit of tummy, you won't find any see-through clothing in this stand. It's their means of advertising that seems to be causing the majority of the bitter coffee complaints.

The Des Moines City Council has been receiving objections to Sweet Cheeks' "style" of suggestive advertising-the girls hanging out of the stand windows to wave at passing cars, as well as the double-entendre reader boards. The stand's frequently changing sign suggests this week, "Stop by and get whipped," referring to their specialty flavored whipped-cream ... or wherever your imagination may take you.

"Many of us wish they wouldn't do that," said Des Moines city councilman Matt Pina. "But it doesn't appear they're wearing anything illegal they couldn't wear on the streets, or acting in a way they couldn't act on the street."

Because of repetitive complaints, City Manager Tony Piasecki requested that the Des Moines Police Department go undercover, posing as customers, to see if Sweet Cheeks employees were breaking any laws.

Sexy coffee stands like Sweet Cheeks are no strangers to legal battles. Everett's Grab-n-Go Espresso made national headlines last fall when some of its baristas were caught in a prostitution scandal during an Everett Police Department undercover sting operation.

But at Sweet Cheeks, the short answer is no, Piasecki said, nothing illegal was happening.

"They are very well-versed in what they are allowed to do and what they are not allowed to do," said Piasecki. "They go right up to the [legal] line but not cross it. There's not much else we can do other than to ask them to tone it down. But I think a good way to put it is it would probably fall on deaf ears."

Though the advertising may be offensive to some, Sweet Cheeks Espresso owner Alison Abel says she has had only compliments from the public. And, she says, she was shocked to hear there were complaints against the stand.

"I'm just surprised-I mean I understand it's a fear of the unknown," said Abel. "And if the city wants me to tone it down with the girls in the windows, I'm happy to. It's done. It just upset me that they thought it would 'fall on deaf ears.' They don't know me or my business."

Abel, 34, opened Sweet Cheeks just under a year ago. She says people need to lighten up and understand the theme is about fun and pin-up fashion.

"People don't like these types of stands because their kid might see cleavage," said Abel. "I felt like changing the board this week to 'We have fair trade, organic coffee-how's that for ethics?' Is cleavage really worse than getting your coffee from a bigger place that pays workers pennies in trade?"

Pina reminded the public that if there are businesses the community is upset by, people should "vote with your dollars."

Sweet Cheeks Espresso, a franchise, recently opened a second stand on International Boulevard in SeaTac, located three miles north of the original.

Bethany Overland is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.