A sign advertising $20 massages on the sidewalk. A civil rights complaint made to the state by a former employee at a sister location. Professional licenses are not displayed on site or located in an online registry.

These are among the details Falcon Media found through an investigation that included public records, interviews and visits to Tropical Touch, a business that opened late last year on East Wooster Street just steps from campus. Social media messages obtained by Falcon Media from at least one Bowling Green State University (BGSU) student show that Tropical Touch is reaching out to BGSU students about being employed at the location.

While Falcon Media found no evidence of active criminal activity, lawsuits or complaints linked to the Bowling Green location, our investigation found inconsistencies in how the business describes its services and answers to some of the questions about the business raised by students and area residents.

The business, which is one of 10 locations across Ohio, Michigan and Canada, advertises “non-therapeutic relaxation techniques,” including offerings like a $90 “full body acupressure session,” and a “4-hand bikini full-body acupressure” session on a page describing services at all of its locations.

The business also has a designated page on its site clarifing “Tropical Touch is not a state licensed massage establishment…Tropical Touch does not provide services rendered under the ‘practice of massage therapy’. Tropical touch does not employ ‘massage therapists.’ Tropical Touch provides non-therapeutic relaxation techniques in a calming environment for customers to unwind and relax.”

On Tropical Touch’s Bowling Green location page, there is text that reads, “At Tropical Touch, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional massages that go beyond the ordinary. We believe in creating an oasis of relaxation for our clients, offering a personalized experience that leaves them feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the world. We believe that the customer experience goes beyond the massage itself. Our staff goes the extra mile to ensure that every visit is exceptional. Choose from: Full Body Tropical Massage, Couples Tropical Full Body Massage and 4-Hand Full Body Massage.”

However, photos taken by Falcon Media in March and posts from the Bowling Green location’s own Instagram account show signs advertising “massage.” This inconsistency is notable, as Bowling Green city laws prohibit the “unlawful advertising of massage” under Section 133.24 of the city’s code. That law stipulates that “No person, by means of a statement, solicitation, or offer in a print or electronic publication, sign, placard, storefront display or other medium, shall advertise massage, relaxation massage, any other massage technique or method or any related service, with the suggestion or promise of sexual when activity. ”

No violations of the massage advertising ordinance have been linked to Tropical Touch’s location in the city.

When contacted by Falcon Media, Bowling Green Deputy Chief of Police Adam Skaff said the business is not operating as a licensed massage therapy provider.

“They are not licensed massage therapists and are not operating as that classification of business,” Skaff said. “Essentially they are not claiming to be licensed massage therapists.”

Skaff added that, based on the business’s website, Tropical Touch provides “non-therapeutic relaxation techniques,” which separates it from regulated massage therapy services that require state licensing.

Falcon Media obtained images of a direct message sent to a BGSU student via Instagram asking her to work for Tropical Touch. The direct message included them saying “No training is needed” and “The spa style is similar to Hooters/Twin Peaks.”

While businesses offering therapeutic massage are required to employ licensed professionals, Tropical Touch is exempt from these requirements, as they provide “non-therapeutic relaxation techniques.”

Tropical Touch’s social media accounts list the names of employees and accompanying posts from each woman. Records from the State Medical Board’s online massage license registry show that there are no active licensees in Bowling Green that match the first names of the employees whose photos are shared online—a finding consistent with Skaff’s assessment of the business.

Falcon Media reached out to Mae Hunt, partner-owner and manager of the Bowling Green Tropical Touch location, who said the business does train employees before they begin working with clients.

“We fully certify and train all of the girls here… they have online classes they need to pass and then go through a training process before working with us,” Hunt said.

Documents about other Tropical Touch locations across the state show a legal history connected to the businesses’ owner before the opening of the BG location. Records from the Ohio Secretary of State’s LLC search website show that the Bowling Green location of Tropical Touch is owned by Chen Lei. Lei is also listed on the site as the “agent” of five other Tropical Touch locations across the state, and as the “agent” for Tiger Lei, LLC.

Records previously filed Franklin County District Court show that Lei and Tiger Lei, LLC were listed as defendants in a 2022 lawsuit from a former receptionist who alleged “gender discrimination, sexual harassment, quid pro quo sexual harassment and unlawful aiding, abetting, and inciting of discrimination.” Meeting minutes from an Ohio Civil Rights Commission from 2024 show that the commission approved a request by the same employee to withdraw their complaint against Lei and Tiger Lei, LLC in order to pursue a civil lawsuit.

The Franklin County District Court website provides no updated information on the civil suit, and no indication of a finding of liability on Lei or Tiger Lei’s part. Falcon Media reached out to Tropical Touch following our investigation for comment on our findings. They did not respond despite multiple attempts to reach out.

While Falcon Media’s investigation was prompted by online discussion about Tropical Touch on the anonymous social media platform Yik Yak where users described the business as “sketch” or unusual, online reviews of the business are overwhelmingly positive and employees said they enjoy working there. Hunt said she has had a positive experience working at Tropical Touch and joined the company after a friend who worked at the Toledo location encouraged her to apply.

“I knew it would be a relaxing job… and I love talking to people and being able to help people with body pain,” she said.

Hunt told Falcon Media that she hopes to continue making Tropical Touch part of the Bowling Green community—a location they chose because of its population and proximity to nearby cities such as Toledo, which helps maintain a steady customer base.

“It is a bit tough to get fully established here, but we promote events and do collabs and stuff like that to really get our name out there,” Hunt said.

Tracy McGinley of the BGSU Labor Trafficking Education and Research Initiative said it is important not to assume all massage businesses are illegitimate but noted there are warning signs people can look for to determine whether a business is safe.

“I would like to start by saying that there are many massage parlors that exist and are legitimate businesses,” McGinley said. “I don’t want anyone in the community to make assumptions that all massage businesses are illegitimate.”

McGinley said potential concerns could include restricted access to the business, lack of proper licensing display, covered or blacked-out windows or advertisements on illicit websites. She also noted that if employees appear to be living in a business, it could be a sign of labor trafficking.

BGSU’s initiative does not investigate crimes but works with law enforcement agencies when requested. McGinley said anyone who suspects trafficking should contact the Ohio Human Trafficking Hotline.