Ventura Religious Groups Hold Prayer in Opposition to Proposed Strip Club

Religious groups in Ventura are fighting back against a proposed strip club in the 4700 block of Market Street.

Many people gathered at the proposed location Tuesday afternoon to say a prayer against the opening of the strip club, and are determined to stop this project.

“We are declaring this property this building will be used for God’s purposes and not what it’s proposed to be which is a nudist bar,” said Port Hueneme resident Marijo Reine King.

The owner of the proposed strip club has been identified as Agassi Halajyan, of Los Angeles. He also reportedly owns the building. The City of Ventura says Halajyan took the initial steps to apply for a permit, but there is no active permit on file at this time.

“Lots of these requirements are to make sure the building is open so a manager can see all the places. There are no private rooms. The performers and customers have to be separated by six feet,” said Jeffrey Lambert, Community Development Director for the City of Ventura.

Despite the number of requirements Halajyan has to meet to comply with the City’s adult ordinance, many concerned citizens say that is not enough to prevent the proposed strip club from opening. Those opposed to the adult club prefer that location be turned into a church or school.

“If they could be off in a remote area where those types of entities can be exposed then so be it,” said King.

Some of the business owners in the area say they are raising funds to buy the building back from the owner before it gets converted into a strip club.

Location of proposed strip club in Ventura. Alys Martinez photo