CHARLOTTE — A massage parlor and day spa manager in southeast Charlotte was charged for violated the state’s stay-at-home order after police asked her twice to voluntarily comply.
On April 1, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police got a tip the Cool Cave Day Spa at 5533 Monroe Road was violating the order.
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They went to the spa twice that day to warn the owner and employees to voluntarily comply.
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The next day, the spa was conducting business as usual so since they did not comply, the manager, Cheree-Alexia Hercule was cited for violation of emergency prohibitions and restrictions.
On Friday, the spa said it has not open for service. (See tweet below)
Cool Cave Day Spa released this statement. Earlier today CMPD charged the on-duty manager of the spa. Police say the spa ignored two warnings and continued to operate despite the stay at home order. The business says they were not open for spa services @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/IyDKksiKdY
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) April 3, 2020
“We’re here on site different hours than the business hours because we’re not operating as a business," owner Kim Wu said.
Wu said they’re operating as a donation center, collecting supplies to give to those in need.
“We have Lysol wipes, baby wipes, alcohol, toilet paper, paper towels, masks we have all types of items that are scarce in the stores from people panic buying," said Wu.
Wu said the spa partnered with a nonprofit metro foundation to collect items.
“A lot of them have been donated from a lot of our customers and a lot of our staff," Wu said.
[FAQ: Cooper’s Stay-at-Home Order]
Police have a different story and said the business has been operating as a massage and day spa.
“The CMPD is continuing to manage the order through voluntary compliance, but the department will enforce violations through citations and/or misdemeanor arrests if voluntary cooperation is not gained,” CMPD said in a news release.
Wu said the business plans to stay open and give out supplies and lunches for the next few weeks.
“We’ve been in business for 11 years we always strive to partner with the community. That’s what we’re going to continue to do," Wu said.
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