OXNARD : Protests Over Sales at Liquor Store

Chanting “Stop breaking the law!” about 30 students, community activists and Ventura County officials protested an Oxnard liquor store that has been cited repeatedly for selling alcohol to minors for years.

“Alcohol is destroying our youth,” said Felipe Santana, director of community services for the county Alcohol and Drug Programs. “We cannot tolerate that in Ventura County.”

The state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is trying to revoke the license of the Stop N’ Save Market, 1037 S. Ventura Road, after an investigation uncovered numerous violations, said Ed Macias, supervisor of the local departmental office.

“We had a hearing Monday to revoke the license,” Macias said outside the store. “Apparently they didn’t think they needed to make an appearance.”

Lynrose Dimalanta, the store’s owner, has been cited a dozen or more times since February for selling liquor to minors, authorities said. Before that, her father, T. Roman Paras, was cited nine times for the same offense, Macias said.

Store workers shut the door and would not comment Thursday.

ABC officials were trying to revoke Paras’ license when he canceled it. His daughter then obtained a permit to sell alcohol at the same store.

Rogelio Boteoo, a 17-year old student at Ventura College, said the store was well-known to teen-agers as a place where they could buy booze.

“Everybody knows about it, that they can walk in and buy it here,” he said.