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Board reinstates Camellia Spa massage permit after owner produces state license
Summary
The City of Evansville Board of Public Safety rescinded a prior revocation and approved a massage therapy permit for Camellia Spa after the owner provided a current Indiana license and photo ID for the therapist listed on the application.
The City of Evansville Board of Public Safety on an affirmative vote reinstated the massage therapy permit for Camellia Spa after the business owner produced a current Indiana massage therapist license and photo ID.
The board moved to rescind its earlier revocation of permit number 24-019 and then voted to approve the spa’s permit so the business could resume operations. The motion to rescind was moved by a board member and seconded; the board voice-voted “aye.”
At the meeting, David Ross Grimes, the owner of Camellia Spa, told the board that the therapist listed on the original August 2024 permit application, Zayu Way Cornell, had never actually worked for the spa. Grimes said the spa delayed opening until February 2025 and during that interval “she passed her test” to qualify in Indiana; he said obtaining the therapist’s Indiana license number took about three months because of difficulties transferring or verifying credits from her prior school. Grimes said the business shut down operations after receiving a certified letter requiring proof of current licensure and photo ID by June 24.
Curtis (city staff) told the board staff had attempted multiple contacts with Camellia Spa, and that no response had been received before the certified letter. Curtis later confirmed Grimes provided a current Indiana massage therapist license and a photo ID at the board’s request; the staff verification showed the license was valid and would not expire for about four years.
Board members asked clarifying questions about whether anyone who provides massages must hold an individual license; Curtis and board members reiterated that under Indiana rules “any type of manipulation of soft tissue is considered a massage and has to be administered by a massage therapist licensed by the state of Indiana.” Grimes said the spa will ensure any person providing massages at the location will be individually licensed and posted in the facility.
After the board rescinded the revocation and approved the permit, members offered the owner procedural reminders about state licensing and suggested posting licenses on-site for customer reference. The board did not set additional conditions beyond the requirement that therapists be individually licensed.
The board’s action followed a staff report that the business had been listed as temporarily closed online and that staff had not been able to reach the owner before the certified letter was sent.
