Unlicensed massage parlors may face additional legal actions in Springfield - The State Journal-Register

[Claire Grant]

AI-assisted summary

Despite the closure of 11 massage parlors in Springfield for failing to apply for necessary permits, some businesses, like Q2 Asian Massage, are reportedly still operating.The city is aware of these violations and is prepared to seek civil court orders to prohibit occupancy.This closure is part of an ongoing effort by the city to address concerns about human trafficking and prostitution, ensuring that all massage parlors adhere to local laws and licensing requirements.
The door may still be swinging at least one of Springfield’s now closed massage parlors, and the city’s next step toward keeping the business closed could be coming soon.

On Feb. 4, the city of Springfield released the names of 11 massage parlors across the city which closed on Jan. 31 after a slew of inspections.

More:'An easy way to handle this': Six massage parlors have still not responded to city demands

Red Bean Spa, Fitness Massage and Q2 Asian Massage were among the near dozen businesses shuttered for failing to apply for necessary permits. Each business shut down was stamped with a bright green plaque for order to not operate.

Q2, one of the closed spas on West Lawrence, however, may still be operating. Images of the parlor were posted on social media of cars in the parking lot with people accessing the building.

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City attorney Greg Moredock said the city was aware of the situation and has put another sign on the building for no operation. The business owners by choice plastered to the building window their 2024 business license, but according to Moredock, the license is expired for the previous year, and was issued before the new inspection process was rolled out.

“We are aware of what’s being said and what they’ve posted on their doors,” Moredock said about Q2 massage. “We have the ability to seek civil court orders at any time now to prohibit occupancy moving forward.”

Moredock said the city has received reports on other closed parlors and has followed up on the calls, but could not comment further on the subject.

“On the civil side we can’t get an injunction over the weekend,” Moredock said. “We are keeping an eye on that location and all the locations we have placards at.”

The closure restricts the parlor from operating in Springfield, as result of ongoing efforts by the city to make sure the parlors are adhering to local laws and licensing requirements.

The new licensing process comes from community concerns about a rise in human trafficking and prostitution in the city of younger women from Asia being brought to the parlors. The regulation passed the city council in May and by June, inspections began being conducted.

The ordinance allows parlors once closed to reopen once they meet code compliance with the ordinance such as having all licensed massage therapists, but may face fines ranging from $250 up to $750 per offense.

Moredock also confirmed a city inspector had gone Friday morning to inspect the location of 452 S. Grand Ave., the closed Golden Relax Spa, which locals have called in recent activity at the closed spa in connection to 88 Relaxing Massage and Fitness spa.

Golden Relax and 88 Relaxing Massage on South Grand were raided by the FBI on April 11, 2024; Golden Relax closed shortly following the raids which lead to no arrests, while 88 Massage remained open until the building owner, David Zhang, was fined a total of $10,650 based on building code violations in mid-January of this year.

Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for The State Journal-Register. She can be reached at CLGrant@gannett.com; and on X (Formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted