Pierce County spa owners say ‘lazy’ enforcement damaged reputation

The Brief

  • The owners of Sun House Spa are slamming a Pierce County enforcement sweep that shuttered 50 businesses, claiming their skincare shop was unfairly “raided” and labeled as an “adult business” despite offering no illegal services.
  • County officials closed the spa for lacking a valid certificate of occupancy, though the owners argue they were never given prior notice and have since worked with the county to reopen.
  • Family members of the owners questioned the lack of due process and broad nature of the sweep, fearing the public “red-tagging” has caused lasting reputational damage.

GRAHAM, Wash. The owners of a Graham skincare business are speaking out against Pierce County officials after being swept up in a massive enforcement operation that shuttered nearly 50 local businesses last week.

Trey Maldonado, a Navy veteran and co-owner of Sun House Spa, said the April 28 visit from the Pierce County Fire Marshal and code enforcement felt more like a raid than a standard inspection.

The spa was one of dozens of locations “red-tagged” for fire, life safety, and building code violations, a move Maldonado claims has unfairly tarnished his family’s livelihood.

Dozens of local businesses shut down after operation

The backstory:

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