You know the type: “Asian Massage”, etc. Someone, somewhere had to actually issue a license to establishments like this to be able to open their doors to the public. Can anyone really claim with a straight face they don’t know they’re fronts for prostitution? Is it payola?
(slowly raises hand, looking around…)
(massage therapist raises hand, looking around…)
Dude, why didn’t someone tell ME I’m a prostitute? No wonder my tips suck! :rolleyes:
Funniness aside, there are definitely massage therapy establishments, and there are (har-har, wink-wink, nudge-nudge) massage parlors, and most people have no trouble distinguishing between the two. One has to imagine that the cops don’t either, so…how do they stay in business?
I’m thinking maybe a local judge that is a regular.
You should have no problem, then 
In what ways are the “obviously prostitution” places different, on a business license application, from the legitimate massage place?
Gee, I hope this thread doesn’t crash and burn.
In other words, I hope …
Wait for it …
I hope it has a happy ending.
Until something illegal can be found to be going on, there’s no reason to deny the license.
Around here, there used to be a lot of “candy stores” that were clearly bookmaking establishments. For instance, there was only one rack of candy, and a half dozen newspapers/magazines for sale. Clearly there was no way they were making money selling their stock.
Now, they probably did have friends with the police, but even without that if a cop came in, there were plenty of reasons to be suspicious, but no evidence of any crime.
It’d be the same: there’s no way to see if anything illegal is going on unless the cops raid them or perform a sting.
Even then, the owner will probably say that he had no idea that this girl was doing that sort of thing. In fact, there is probably a sign out front saying that there is to be no sexual contact on premises. Not that I would know, or anything… 
Bricker Nailed it in one.
Business licences rarely if ever require any proof of licencure or legality of your businesses methods. It is up to the business owner to aquire needed licencing for fear of citation/arrest by police and or licencing agencies.
I could walk into my city business licence office and claim to be Drachillix MD Neurosurgery Associates, and they take my $17 and forms and mail me a business licence.
In the case of massage places at least in my area, they have to have a permit issued by local PD vice dept. If you have been busted before, don’t expect to be issued a new permit from them which means if they don’t know your shop, and its not on the list, prepare to be busted. They also will do undercover checks now and then.