SHORELINE, Wash. — A popular neighborhood cafe is expected to reopen Friday after being closed following complaints about a bondage event held there after-hours.
Shoreline's Cafe Aroma calls itself a safe gathering place for the entire community, but some neighbors argue they've taken things too far.
A cease and desist order was taped to the shop's window. It came from the City of Shoreline Sept. 13 after a neighbor complained about a bondage event that was held there after the cafe closed for the day.
The city says the issue wasn't the event itself but that the café operated without the proper licenses.
Owner Jonathan Tracey walked into Cafe Aroma Wednesday, worried he might never serve coffee there again.
"I'm scared of whether or not we'll be able to recover from this, to be honest," he said.
When the city investigated the complaint, it determined the cafe was operating without a business license and without the proper license to host so-called "adult cabaret events."
Tracey disputes this. He provided a print-out to KING 5, which he says is proof that his business license is valid until the end of the year. KING 5 has not been able to independently verify that claim.
Tracey also believes it was up to the organization putting on the event to procure the cabaret license.
He says the cafe had nothing to do with the event except for providing the venue.
Regardless, Tracey contends nothing illegal was happening inside.
"What I do know is there weren't sex parties or anything like that," he said. "They were BDSM and kink events that included demonstrations for educational purposes."
Still, some online have taken issue with a bondage event "happening in the same place food and beverages are sold, and where people bring their young children."
Most in the community, like Patrick Daly, who brings his 2-year-old daughter to Cafe Aroma, seemed to support the coffee shop.
"I know the place is very clean," Daly said. "I don't have any qualms about what was going on other than, yeah, you probably should have a license to do those things."
The organization that ran the event, Black Onyx, said they weren't aware they needed a cabaret license and asked the City of Shoreline for more information but didn't get it in time.
The cafe is able to reopen after coming to an agreement with the city. They will not be able to host events that require an adult cabaret license.
"That makes me sad," said Tracey. "We pride ourselves in being here for everyone."
Tracey estimates the ordeal will cost his business around $20,000 in lost income and product.
Friends have started an online fundraiser to help.
"I have a wife and three kids," Tracey said. "We're worried about paying the mortgage."
For now, Tracey and his wife read notes of support and encouragement taped to their front door. They take solace in the support from their community -- a community they vow to continue supporting themselves.
"It's not gonna stop my wife and I from being an ally to those communities," Tracey said. "We just have to find a different way to do it."