Wayne permanently shuts downs massage parlor for 'numerous' violations during pandemic - NorthJersey.com

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WAYNE — A local massage parlor has been forced to close after health inspectors repeatedly caught its owner operating without a license.

But, here is the rub: This happened as the coronavirus pandemic was raging all across the township and throughout the country.

The spa's attorney has now upped the ante, saying his client will not rule out the possibility of an appeal of the township's action to state Superior Court in Paterson.

Head 2 Toe Massage & Spa on Route 23 south in Wayne was dark inside on Nov. 5.

(Photo: Philip DeVencentis/NorthJersey.com)

"That's still under consideration," said A. Michael Rubin, the attorney. "We believe that we're absolutely entitled to a license."

The situation involves Head 2 Toe Massage & Spa, a tenant of a strip mall, at 1581 Route 23 south. Its owner, Lihua Ding, of Queens, was fined $600 for the violations, officials said.

The Township Council, responsible for approving licenses for massage parlors, denied Head 2 Toe's application in September. Rubin asked its members to reconsider their decision five weeks later.

"There's no question my client made a mistake," Rubin said. But, he added: "I'm respectfully asking the council to allow my client to operate her business. She's a professional, and she has all of the right credentials."

Council members were not swayed by the attorney's plea.

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"It appears to me that you feel not operating with a license, and then paying a fine, is simply the normal cost of doing business," said Councilman Joseph Schweighardt.

Spas obtain licenses by completing applications through the township clerk's office. A license costs $500; it has to be renewed each year for an additional $500.

There are six licensed spas in the township.

Fees can vary widely. Spas in Hawthorne, for example, have to shell out $2,000 and another $250 for each year they remain in business. In Clifton, the annual cost is $150.

Massage therapists need to get their own licenses through the state Division of Consumer Affairs.

Head 2 Toe existed under the same name, and posted satisfactory health inspections, before its run-ins with the township.

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But, as the state shutdown began in March, an inspector visited the spa to find it was operating as usual.

The inspector found an "abundance" of food in a refrigerator, documents show, and a woman, later identified as Ding, who said she was its new owner. The health official asked her to immediately shut down.

Ding submitted paperwork for the facility and paid the license fee in June, documents show. Gov. Phil Murphy allowed barbershops, nail salons and spas to reopen on an appointment-only basis later that month.

But, Head 2 Toe had yet to pass an inspection.

In July, a health official spent an hour there and found that it was operating in spite of still being unlicensed. Fourteen violations were reported during that visit, documents show, including no disinfection plan for hot stones and towels and pillows covered by unlaundered sheets.

Documents show that all issues were abated before the council met in September.

Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: [email protected]

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