The city of Bath has ordered a recently opened spa to close and change its operations, after officials found that its staff were not licensed as masseuses and that the business was best classified as an “adult relaxation spa” that’s not allowed under the zoning in that downtown area.
The business, Xinye Spa at 65 Centre St., initially informed the city that it would operate as a massage establishment, according to City Manager Marc Meyers.
But it was only open for about a week when officials heard concerns about its operations, prompting an investigation by Codes Enforcement Officer Scott Davis.
In a cease and desist letter on April 12, Davis told a representative for the spa, Richard Qiu, that it had to close immediately and that it can’t keep offering similar services in that part of the city.
In the letter, Davis said he’d been informed by Qiu that employees, “sometimes two at a time, rub oil on customers.” Davis then explained that Xinye Spa should be defined under local codes as an “adult relaxation spa,” because it offers “rub-down” or other “pseudo-massage services” by people without the state licensing to provide massage therapy.
Because it’s an adult establishment — a category that also includes businesses such as strip clubs and stores selling sex toys — the spa cannot legally operate in the commercial downtown zoning district, and it’s also located too close to an apartment building and a church, Davis said. He also said it’s not licensed as an adult business.
The spa has since closed. Meyers said the owner has been cooperative and communicative with the city. He noted there are other sections of the city where licensed adult businesses can open.
The owner of Xinye Spa could not be reached for comment, and no one answered the door on Monday afternoon.
There have been no allegations of criminal behavior by the business, so the police department has not started an investigation, according to Meyers. But he said he takes the concern of Bath residents seriously, so he’s been communicating with surrounding agencies to learn more about the owner of Xinye Spa.
