SPRINGFIELD – An infamous building on the city’s west side has a new business tenant, and the owner is a familiar face.
The bright pink building at 1560 Wabash Ave. is tucked behind the Famous Wine & Spirits is now home to a new business, IRelax Hair Salon. The building previously housed Jade Spa, a massage parlor that was shut down by the city in February 2025.
Liyun Liu, who was charged with prostitution in Chicago back in 2015, is the owner of the business, according to articles of incorporation found on the Illinois Secretary of State website.
Liu previously operated 88 Relaxing Massage at 526 South Grand Ave. W. in Springfield, which was raided by the FBI on April 11, 2024, and closed in January of 2025.
According to Google Maps, the new salon opened in the last week of May, and offers professional head therapy, haircuts and facial care.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation lists IRELAX SPA INC. with an active salon shop registration first filed back in October of 2025.
The State Journal-Register contacted the business on June 2 about hair services offered, but the call was hung up on.
Fraase connection
The building is owned by Seven Carpenters LLC according to Sangamon County property tax records search.
Seven Carpenters LLC is owned by Greg Fraase, who was charged with operating six “houses of prostitution” according to Magistrate Judge Karen McNaught in March of 2024.
According to a federal grand jury indictment, Fraase owned buildings where women from primarily Asian countries provided sexual services operating massage parlors. Fraase has plead not guilty.
Jade Spa was one of the six massage parlors housed in Fraase’s real estate, before its closure alongside 11 other parlors following the city implementing a massage parlor license in June 2024 to crack down on massage establishments and human trafficking.
While several massage parlors across the city and county have been listed as permanently closed following regulation changes, neighbors at Hawthorne Place still raise concerns about Red Bean Massage on Toronto Road still appearing to take clients, and the closed Golden Relax at 452 South Grand Ave. W.
The neighborhood group claims the Golden Relax building is still being used as a place to house women who work at massage establishments. The house is owned by Ding Xiaolin.
For 526 South Grand Ave. W., which previously housed 88 Massage, the building was sold on May 15 for $82,000 from Springfield real-estate David Zhang to WORKERS PROPERTIES LLC.
Zhang was fined by the City of Springfield $10,650 based on building and zoning code violations during the occupancy of 88 Massage in effort to close the illegally operating business.
Do hair salons need a license to operate in the city?
Yes, under Illinois law, every hair salon must obtain an official IDFPR Salon/Shop Certificate of Registration to legally operate in the state.
Every licensed cosmetologist or hair braider must also hold an active industrial license from the IDFPR as well.
It is unknown if Liu or any potential staff members have their license for cosmetology.
Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for The State Journal-Register. She can be reached at CLGrant@usatodayco.com; and on X (Formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Owner of closed massage parlor opens up hair salon in Springfield
Reporting by Claire Grant, Springfield State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
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By Claire Grant, Springfield State Journal-Register | USA TODAY Network
