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[QUOTE=SePuede;2379640]I stopped by today around 6:00 pm. Place was closed and no cars in the parking lot. Memories, good memories. Bebe, where are thou?[/QUOTE]I hope that isn't true. I've been going to Admiral st / Lily's for years. To me it was by far the best run spa and the best service. If it is closed, I hope only temporarily.
Went by both NMS and Admiral yesterday around 10:00 AM and both were closed. No vehicles in either parking lots, no lights on, no one answers the phones (only goes to voice-mail) and doors that would normally be open for business are closed and locked. Sad. Very sad to see. Also note that all of NMS posts on BP have been removed and CL has nothing recent. Admiral has not posted for some time now. I suspect the FS places have had in increase in business recently. Well those that are still open. I hope this is temporary in order to get in compliance with the new ordinance but I suspect it's just not so. Too bad they could not hire an attorney to fight the ordinance on some legal standing like it was not approved by the AG's Office or some technicality.
[QUOTE=Laconic;2379457]I called the old number yesterday but no one answered. Has the number changed as well?[/QUOTE]The last ad I can find is from 2/20 and it has the old number.
[QUOTE=Alover;2379917]I hope that isn't true. I've been going to Admiral st / Lily's for years. To me it was by far the best run spa and the best service. If it is closed, I hope only temporarily.[/QUOTE]The new law says something about the staff being trained & licensed for bodywork, I'm hoping that's where they are and why the spas are closed. I'm hoping, but not optimistically.
[URL]http://providenceri.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?MeetingID=2504&ID=4371[/URL]
This is just my personal opinion, but if you read the ordinance as passed, it will be very difficult for the spas to remain open. This is all dependent upon the level of enforcement, of course. I suspect they are scrambling right now to obtain licenses, etc. The hours have been curtailed, and there are rules about draping etc. Also a ban on electronic equipment to warn of the inspectors arrival etc. And displaying license numbers in any ads, as well as on the premises. I think the ultimate goal is to shut them all down, but it remains to be seen if the city will go that far.
My goodness, doesn't that ordinance go on and on. Mika needs to have it translated in order to even figure it out. I agree with SMS, the ultimate goal is to end them. Period. If no one challenges this ordinance in court and it is allowed to stand, then it's open season on the SPA's for sure and they will end pretty quickly. After all, they continue to advertise so locating them (if they have not done so already and I am sure that they have) is not going to be difficult. In my opinion, I see them migrating to the Cranston / Providence line and setting up shop anew, or, as things begin to get hot in little PVD, setting up private, non advertised clubs. Kinda like what Mika was doing during the last period of trouble. If they go this route, then look for the prices to go up and if it does not work, then a whole bunch of Asian posting for private parties on BP.
[QUOTE=SMS54;2381096][URL]http://providenceri.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?MeetingID=2504&ID=4371[/URL]
This is just my personal opinion, but if you read the ordinance as passed, it will be very difficult for the spas to remain open. This is all dependent upon the level of enforcement, of course. I suspect they are scrambling right now to obtain licenses, etc. The hours have been curtailed, and there are rules about draping etc. Also a ban on electronic equipment to warn of the inspectors arrival etc. And displaying license numbers in any ads, as well as on the premises. I think the ultimate goal is to shut them all down, but it remains to be seen if the city will go that far.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=SMS54;2381096][URL]http://providenceri.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?MeetingID=2504&ID=4371[/URL]
This is just my personal opinion, but if you read the ordinance as passed, it will be very difficult for the spas to remain open. This is all dependent upon the level of enforcement, of course. I suspect they are scrambling right now to obtain licenses, etc. The hours have been curtailed, and there are rules about draping etc. Also a ban on electronic equipment to warn of the inspectors arrival etc. And displaying license numbers in any ads, as well as on the premises. I think the ultimate goal is to shut them all down, but it remains to be seen if the city will go that far.[/QUOTE]Thanks for posting the link, everyone should read the full ordinance. I must say it looks pretty bad but it seems that getting the actual license is no where near as difficult as getting a massage license. The section about electronic equipment seems particularly harsh. So a body rub establishment is the only business in the city that it not allowed to video monitor their establishment?
"(k) Devices which can be utilized as an early warning system to alert Personnel, Supervisors, Owners, or any other persons to the presence of law enforcement or local authorities on the premises are prohibited in Establishments. Such prohibited devices include, but are not limited to, light or music dimmers, electronic detection devices, external or internal video equipment and alarm systems other than those used for fire alarms. ".
Not being able to get around too good because I now have to use a walker figured my options were limited. With Providence spas seemingly out of the question I considered venues in other places and remembered that Palm Tree Spa has a reserved spot in the lot across Sheridan and a back entrance that would be doable.
Was warmly greeted by Mamasan Venus who I've known for years from the old Lily Spa in Providence before it got closed down in 2012 and more recently the former Evergreen Day Spa in Cranston. Even though I didn't bring donuts like usual she helped me in the back door after I managed the stairs and understood why I didn't come bearing gifts.
Provider was Jenny, a pleasant, but not beautiful South Korean lady probably in her late 30's or early 40's, with natural bees and speaking fairly good English. TS was okay, as was the body rub, ST and everything else. Very accommodating, always smiling, helping me undress and then dress afterwards, trying hard to assist where she could, good CBJ nice hot towel cleanup and actually went a bit over the hour without complaint. $60 to the house and $100 tip for a good and helpful performance, rating this a 3 of 5 as much do to my own infirmity as anything else.
On the way out talked a bit with the mamasan, who said Pawtucket was going to try enacting an ordinance like Providence did. Central Falls has decided to leave Palm Tree alone, but will not permit any more spas in their city.
[QUOTE=SmokeScreen;2379903]Believe what you want, I'm not going to argue about it, but I know what I'm talking about.[/QUOTE]You might think you "know" what you are talking about but when you talk about people from Flushing, NY having to work at a RI spa because they would have trouble getting back to 'China or wherever' you have illustrated prety clearly that A) you don't even know a basic fact like workers in AMPs are almost exclusively Korean, and B) you didn't even read the comment you were replying to.
[QUOTE=PwHerman;2381139]Thanks for posting the link, everyone should read the full ordinance. I must say it looks pretty bad but it seems that getting the actual license is no where near as difficult as getting a massage license. The section about electronic equipment seems particularly harsh. So a body rub establishment is the only business in the city that it not allowed to video monitor their establishment?
"(k) Devices which can be utilized as an early warning system to alert Personnel, Supervisors, Owners, or any other persons to the presence of law enforcement or local authorities on the premises are prohibited in Establishments. Such prohibited devices include, but are not limited to, light or music dimmers, electronic detection devices, external or internal video equipment and alarm systems other than those used for fire alarms. ".[/QUOTE]I doubt anyone is going to take it as far as the courts, but the city can't single out a business and say they can't use a legal security system like videoicameras that any other business in the city can use. The city doesn't make laws, they just make ordinances. They can write ordinances that make it hard for a business to exists and they can fine the hell out businesses theat don't comply anjd shut them down but they can't put someone in jail for breaking an ordinance. The state passes laws. If video security systems are legal for businesses to hafve in RI then they are legal in Providence regardless of what providence inflated-ego city board members think. All a spa would have to do would be to get a lawyer to argue that the video system is for security. Which I am sure they are. And any case by the city would be thrown out.
I think places like NMS and Admiral should go to FS to make up the money they will loose due to the new restrictions on the amount of hours they will be open daily. Its not like the girls in these places have not done FS at other spas.
[QUOTE=iamioman;2381349] A) you don't even know a basic fact like workers in AMPs are almost exclusively Korean, and B) you didn't even read the comment you were replying to.[/QUOTE]A. My friend, you have a lot to learn. Maybe the workers in the spas you frequent "are almost exclusively Korean". But don't think for a minute that there isn't a large number of Chinese workers in AMPs all over, and many rotate from Flushing, just the same as the Koreans. Chinatown has more AMPs than Providence, a lot more. How many Koreans do you think work in Chinatown?
Be. I thoroughly read the comment I replied to.
See. If you're looking for an argument, this is the wrong thread for it.
[QUOTE=Yellowfever023;2381488]I think places like NMS and Admiral should go to FS to make up the money they will loose due to the new restrictions on the amount of hours they will be open daily. Its not like the girls in these places have not done FS at other spas.[/QUOTE]Oh no, are you saying they are not virgins? Not a bad idea though, I'm all for it.
I just don't understand why people care so much about dudes getting a handy. Yea, it's not legal, but it's not nearly as awful as say, spitting gum on the sidewalk, or parking on the grass, or fireworks on July 4th.
I can't get one spa to pick up the phone. At least two the other day were still operational but this is getting serious now. Basically it may be a show up at the door situation at this point. I'm not making the trek for that chance though.
Good luck guys. I guess it's back to otc with strippers and dealings with civi girls. Damn.