Listen To Story Above
A California gas station’s fortune turned around dramatically when they sold a winning Mega Millions ticket worth $1.22 billion, marking a remarkable recovery for the family business that had been devastated by fire just three years earlier.
The news reached the Singh family, owners of Circle K (Sunshine Food and Gas) in Cottonwood, shortly after the drawing. Ishar Gill, the Director of Operations and son of owner Jaspal Singh, received the notification from lottery officials at 9:30 PM local time.
Gas Station in Cottonwood that sold the 1.3 billion dollar lottery ticket talked to local who lives right down street his why or life said hopefully it is friend who plays every-time at that store pic.twitter.com/hSGFjxRlKy
— HessMediaGroup (@CaliTrumpHess) December 29, 2024
“I had to read it two, three times,” Gill told the outlet. “I told my wife, and then we ran over to my dad’s room and told him, and he’s like, ‘Are you guys sure?… Did we really win?'”
“Everybody knows about it. Everybody’s excited,” he added.
The winning ticket matched the numbers 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, and the gold Mega ball of 6. Officials planned to visit the store the following day to finalize the details.
Located approximately 146 miles north of Sacramento, the Circle K stands to receive a substantial retailer incentive from the California Lottery. According to state lottery regulations, retailers earn one-half of one percent of the jackpot amount, up to a million dollars, for selling the winning ticket.
The identity of the fortunate winner remains unknown, as does the specific day of the ticket purchase. The winner faces a choice between receiving the full $1.22 billion paid over 29 years or accepting a one-time payment of approximately $549.7 million.
Winner of $1.22B Mega Millions jackpot still unknown, Sunshine Food & Gas owner reacts to selling winning ticket https://t.co/JpE6Lax9p1 via @actionnewsnow
— Justice ✨⚖️ (@MadameJustice_) December 29, 2024
Some locals offered congratulatory advice to the store owners. “Way to do it, man,” Christina, a Shasta County resident said, according to KRCR. “I hope you live the rest of your life in peace and happiness, just ride off into the sunset, forget this Podunk town.”
This windfall marks a significant turnaround for the business, which had faced severe setbacks after a devastating fire in August 2021 forced its closure for nearly two years. The store only resumed operations in March 2023.
Despite suggestions to leave the 6,000-person town, the Singh family plans to stay and share their good fortune with the community. The store expressed their gratitude on Facebook, writing: “To our amazing community—thank you for supporting us and making us part of your daily lives. Whether it’s for gas, snacks, or just a friendly hello, you all mean the world to us. Here’s to dreams coming true, and to the wonderful people who make Cottonwood so special.”
