Articles & Letters
 
A Cheeky Tactic: Vendors Up to Buns in Trouble
Dean Chang, New York Daily News, 1992

Two bikini-clad hot dog vendors in Yonkers may be dishing out their last dogs.

The Yonkers City Council president yesterday vowed to ban the nearly bare-bunned workers from selling any more wieners.

"You have to draw the line," said Vinni Restiano, one of two women on the council. "This is exploitation of women. They're supposed to be selling hot dogs, not cheesecake."

The women, who operate on Yonkers or Central Avenues, are easy to spot, said Restiano. Just look for a crowd of men or listen for honking horns.

Hot weather wear

Michelle Miranda, 23, clad in a polka-dot bikini and cutting the mustard at the corner of Yonkers Ave. and Williams Street, said, "Business is great" and that her attire was "perfect for the hot weather."

Sales were hot for Miranda, but a nearby luncheonette owner blamed the girls for a 20% drop-off in his business.

"They're probably making tons of money," said Restiano. "If this were a beach town, that would be one thing. But it's Yonkers."

Restiano said she plans to introduce legislation in August that would prohibit the city from licensing vendors who wear swimsuits. The city attorney is researching whether such a ban is constitutional.

Matter of rights

"We have to be careful not to infringe on anyone's constitutional rights but I think we can legislate against Yonkers condoning this exploitative business," she said.

The owner of the hot-dog stands, Yonkers Police Officer John Hayes, was recently commended by Restiano for breaking up a videotape piracy ring.

"He's still a good cop," said Restiano. "I just question his business practices." 

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