By Associated Press, 7/17/2003

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Controversy is brewing over a cafe that bills itself "the Hooters of coffee" -- complete with scantily clad waitresses, a foosball machine and a macho motif.

Owner Tony Nunez believes city officials are unfairly targeting his coffee shop, Sugars, blaming it for parking hassles in the family oriented neighborhood and alleging that the mobster-themed cafe is a den of prostitution.

Since the cafe opened in February, city inspectors and police have ticketed Nunez, his business partners or his landlord for playing live music and sponsoring lingerie shows, and for failure to properly maintain the building's plumbing and patio.

Michael Hannon, deputy director of code enforcement for San Jose, says officials are merely trying to get Sugars up to compliance. He denies any harassment.

The cafe, a former record store decorated with posters from gangster movies, has perked up neighbors -- including many who want it closed.

"The desire of the neighborhood has always been for a Starbucks," said Ted Cunningham of the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association. "I feel they snuck in."