Harmar beer distributor sells $1 million scratch-off ticket

It’s not unusual for owner Linda Wilson to sell scratch-off lottery tickets to customers at Willy’s Beer and Beverage in Harmar.

What is unusual? Having a million-dollar winner.

That’s exactly what happened June 22, when one of Wilson’s regulars scratched off a “$1 Million? Seriously” ticket at the store.

“I was really happy for her,” Wilson said. “It’s a lot to take in, in just a few minutes.”

Pennsylvania Lottery officials Monday announced the beer distributor at 1343 Freeport Road sold a winning “$1 Million? Seriously” scratch-off ticket.

“$1 Million? Seriously?” is a $20 game that offers five top prizes of $1 million. The Lottery distributes scratch-offs randomly, and officials and retailers don’t know where winning tickets will be sold, according to lottery officials.

The lottery’s website states there are four outstanding million-dollar prizes for the game.

Wilson said the winner is a frequent customer but declined to give her name, saying she seeks to remain anonymous.

“It’s nice to know it’s somebody well-deserved,” said Barry Hughes, the store’s manager.

Willy’s Beer and Beverage is a family-owned small business, and Wilson has been its owner for 29 years. The store has been at its location since 2008.

The business will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the ticket.

“I think that’s great,” Wilson said. “It will definitely help the store.”

Wilson said she has had big lottery winners before but never as big as $1 million. She recalled a $25,000 winner more than 13 years ago.

The win is part of a recent lucky streak rolling through Western Pennsylvania.

A Gilpin woman won $1 million on a scratch-off ticket in June, a Latrobe woman won $1 million in May and a Shop ’n Save in Shaler sold a $3 million ticket this spring. According to lottery officials, $1 million scratch-off tickets also were sold this spring at retailers in Charleroi and Robinson.