Green Bay denies license renewal for massage businesses

GREEN BAY, WI—(WGBW)— In a meeting that saw the appointment of a new alderperson for District 8 and a memorandum of understanding regarding relocating coal piles, the Green Bay Common Council also tackled an issue surrounding massage licenses and liquor licenses in the city. Fourteen massage establishments were up for license renewal at the June 10, 2025, Council meeting. Only seven got the nod to continue.

Seven massage establishments had their request for license renewal denied. Those establishments are as follows:

• VIP Spa at 842 S. Military Avenue
• Seven Day Spa at 131 S. Military Avenue
• East Spa at 1235 S. Military Avenue
• Moonlight Spa at 1740 E. Mason Street
• Cherry Spa at 1639 Deckner Avenue 
• Green Bay Spa at 2685 W. Mason Street
• Sunrise Spa at 503 S. Military Avenue

The reasons for denying the renewals varied by establishment. Still, they included things like being cited for violating massage regulations, having unlicensed or unqualified personnel, advertising on sites known for listing sexual services, advertising for massage therapy that involves sexual acts or contact with intimate parts, sexual contact with clients, or criminal history. 

All businesses were initially granted licenses last year when the city instituted the ordinance requiring permits for massage establishments.

Lacey Cochart, the city’s legal counsel, said the next steps would be for the city to send the businesses notices of denial. Businesses can then request a hearing to appeal the decision.

“ So this is staff recommendations that will then, if approved, send out an official notice that says there’s an opportunity to request a hearing,” Cochart said. “And then we proceed to a quasi-judicial hearing if that person so elects to do so.”

Bar loses license

In addition to the massage licenses, the Common Council also voted to deny a bar, Stage 1 at 231 N. Broadway, a renewal of its liquor license. In its recommendation for denial, the Green Bay Police Department listed 18 violations of stipulations for the license or disturbances at the bar. 

Alexander Graziano, the owner of Stage 1, said it would appeal the decision.

“We would appeal that decision if for no other reason than to publicly make known our side of the story. One, which we believe, highlights a pattern in the city of shutting down establishments deemed to serve a demographic that the city seems to view as a problem,” Graziano told the Common Council.