The Stop N Go Mini Mart seen boarded up on March 7, 2025. Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission officials issued an emergency suspension to the stop on March 21, immediately halting its beer and wine sales.
Troy Brynelson / OPB
A convenience store in North Portland that is accused of being a hub of drug activity lost its liquor license Friday.
Officials with the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission issued an emergency license suspension to the Stop N Go, immediately halting its ability to sell beer and wine.
The agency is also proposing permanently cancelling its license, officials said. The process for that sanction could take weeks.
The sanction only applies to alcohol and does not prevent the Stop N Go, which sits at the corner of North Williams Avenue and North Stanton Street, from selling other products.
Related: After major drug bust at Portland convenience store, neighbors ‘wait and see’ for improvements
Officials with the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission have issued an emergency license suspension to the Stop N Go on March 21, 2025, immediately halting its ability to sell beer and wine. The North Portland convenience store is accused of being a hub of drug activity.
Courtesy of Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission
The move follows the arrest of store owner Donald Sharma earlier this month. Sharma faces seven felony drug charges — including delivery of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. He’s pleaded not guilty.
The Portland Police Bureau arrested Sharma on March 3, following an investigation that started nearly a year ago.
The investigation, according to records obtained by OPB, revolved in part on criminal informants. The informants told police that Sharma allowed people to buy drugs using EBT cards, stashed drugs for dealers and fenced stolen goods.
The Stop N Go has also been a frequent concern of neighbors and visitors of nearby Dawson Park.
“We welcome this important next step,” said Laura Fay, co-chair of the Eliot Neighborhood Association. “It’s only the next step in ensuring that Dawson Park becomes the safe, thriving environment that we need it to be.”