Owner of closed spa in Northampton said unaware of laws

NORTHAMPTON — The wife of the owner of a Locust Street spa shut down last month by city officials told police that “her husband is new to business and did not know about the laws.”

Records from the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development obtained by the Gazette revealed that and other new information about the closing of Oriental Foot Spa which had been doing business at 41 Locust St., Suite 201. 

The business, owned by Robert J. Benjamin, was condemned on Oct. 26 by the Northampton Board of Health because employees were illegally living there, and was issued a stop-work order by the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure because it lacked workers compensation insurance.

Police, fire and health officials arrived at the business around 12:30 p.m. Oct. 26 where investigators found two female employees, one of whom identified herself as Benjamin’s wife. Investigators told the woman they were unable to find any active workers compensation insurance for the owner, address or business. A stop-work order was issued at that time.

Surveillance revealed that employees of the spa were living in the building, according to Northampton Police. The spa was on the second floor of “Building Two” on the property, though the name of the business was not listed on the building’s facade or its door. 

Investigators also found that there was no business certificate for the spa, but there was a lease for Robert J. Benjamin doing business as Oriental Spa. 

Investigators tried to reach Benjamin that day but were unable to do so and left a voicemail. The following day, one of the investigators received a phone call from Benjamin asking to speak about the stop-work order. Benjamin also told the investigator the landlord had canceled his lease  and he was closing his business, according to the state report.

On Friday, the building was locked and there was no sign of anyone inside. A call to the phone number listed  for Benjamin in the state documents was not returned Friday.

Benjamin paid a $200 fine, according to the documents.