Arlington Hts. massage parlor gives up business license before hearing

Arlington Heights Prosecutor Ernest Blomquist arrived at Singapore Salon's business license hearing on Wednesday armed with files he didn't need.

A few minutes before the hearing that would determine if the salon would ever reopen, a lawyer representing the salon handed over its business license to Blomquest and Village Attorney Jack Siegel.

"He didn't want to go through the hearing," Siegel said. "The village is in physical possession of the license at this time."

Singapore Salon is located at 308 E. Golf Road in the International Plaza. Six people were arrested there for prostitution-related charges after an undercover sting on July 10.

Several Arlington Heights police officers were ready to testify in front of trustees and Village President Arlene Mulder on Wednesday. Instead Mulder adjured the hearing a few minutes after it began.

However, the afternoon wasn't a total waste.

Blomquest and Siegel announced that starting this week there would be special rules applying to any business that wants to open at the Singapore Salon storefront.

"That facility in a sense has been tainted," Siegel said. "Seven years ago, we were here at a similar hearing. It was the same name in the same facility engaged in the same type of business. It will not happen again."

From now on, any business that wants to open at 308 E. Golf Road must be reviewed by Blomquist and Siegel before getting approval. Most business licenses only need village board approval.

Singapore's business license has been suspended since July 10 when six people including the store's manager, were arrested on prostitution-related charges when an undercover officer was given a basic massage and then offered additional services for an additional fee. Police also seized $4,000 from the salon.

In 2001, the same salon was raided and the same salon manager - Kil Sun Fara - was arrested for prostitution.

Back then clients came in, took a shower and received a massage, according to police reports from 2001. Toward the end of the massage, the women would offer sex for money, with prices ranging from $25 to $100, according to a police report.

Police arrested Fara for operating a house of prostitution, and in February 2001, the village board revoked Singapore Salon's business license.

A few months after the village board voted to rescind Singapore's license in 2001, a new owner with a clean record applied for a business license. The business license was reissued.

Then the owner rehired Fara.

"Twice is enough for something like this to take place in Arlington Heights," said Mulder at Thursday's brief hearing.

The six arrested in July have a Sept. 2 court date at the Rolling Meadows courthouse.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=217156">Six charged with prostitution in Arlington Heights <span class="date">[07/11/08]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>