Tucked between 39th Street and the Interstate 5 onramp, the multi-unit building greets people as they enter the Shumway neighborhood via H Street.
But about six months ago, the business at H St. Vancouver police reported finding an employee practicing reflexology at the business without a license, a misdemeanor, though the case remains unresolved. In a Dec. Zhu said his English is limited, and the previous owner convinced him the business was operating legally. He had packed up everything inside the building.
Police say they have not proven prostitution was taking place. And according to police, health officials and the sexually oriented websites where the Shumway business advertised, these businesses exist in all corners of the state. Lisa Ghormley first learned about the foot massage business about six months ago while getting a pedicure at a nail salon. The business only accepted cash payments and was open late into the evening. The business — which most recently operated as Rainbow Massage, but has also operated as Oriental Foot Massage and Regal Foot Spa — advertised on Craigslist and Backpage, as well as sexually oriented websites.
Alarmed by what they saw, the neighbors contacted Vancouver police Cpl. Drue Russell, the assigned neighborhood police officer his six-year rotation on the beat ended Dec.
Over the next several months, Russell went to the business several times. He talked to the women working there and stopped customers as they left. Russell confirmed the men drove to the business, then circled the block a few times before parking down the street. State law requires massage practitioners and reflexologists to be licensed in order to practice.
