ROSWELL, Ga. — Updates to massage and spa establishment ordinances in Roswell were approved at a city council meeting on Monday night.
For months, Mayor Kurt Wilson said the city worked on the amendments alongside licensed, legitimate massage therapists to ensure the changes wouldn't hurt businesses but add protections.
"Thank you for everything, each and every one of you for being open-minded," Jo Taylor, a Roswell-based massage therapist who worked with Wilson, said at the Monday meeting. "Hearing what we needed from you guys has been amazing."
Wilson said the updated regulations are another tool the city can use to keep illicit businesses out and help the hard-working local business owners who abide by the rules.
"It's dicey," Wilson said. "I can tell you it's not like they shut them down. It's a lot more difficult than that."
Just over two months into 2024, Roswell Police shut down seven establishments for not having a valid massage establishment license.
Those establishments included:
- Mei Massage, 10779 Alpharetta Hwy #150
- Pamper Your Feet, 880 Holcomb Bridge Rd #105B
- Katy Massage, 463 Atlanta St #D
- Jin Spa, 1020 Woodstock Rd #2112
- Foot and Body Massage, 861 Holcomb Bridge Rd #102
- Star Massage, 11235 Alpharetta Hwy #133
- Enjoy Massage, 1580 Holcomb Bridge Rd #21A
In December 2023, 11Alive reported a previous investigation by the Roswell Police Department following a September search in which these spas were shut down.
- Alpha Massage, 11235 Alpharetta Hwy, Ste. 133, Roswell, GA
- Ease Massage, 1085 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Ste. 140, Roswell, GA
- Enjoy Massage, 1580 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Ste. 21A, Roswell, GA
- Iris Massage, 880 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Ste. B-105, Roswell, GA
- Barefoot Massage, 5920 Roswell Rd, Ste. A-113, Sandy Springs, GA
- Rose Massage, 2409 Piedmont Rd. NE, Ste. B, Atlanta, GA
A month later, the owner of the Iris Massage was arrested, facing charges relating to a sex trafficking ring according to warrants.
"We can't solve the entire problem of human trafficking, but what we can do is say that the city of Roswell is going to eliminate it," Wilson said, adding that the city would continue to update ordinances to keep illicit behavior out of the city.