COLUMBIA, Md. — A Columbia woman took home a $50,000 top prize from a Maryland Lottery scratch-off after a store clerk’s reminder led her to buy the winning ticket.
The Howard County resident, who goes by the nickname Winston/Rock for publicity, visited the Quick Stop Food Mart on June 17 to buy her regular terminal games. She nearly exited the store without purchasing scratch-offs when the clerk called out, reminding her of her usual routine.
“He said, ‘you forgot to get your scratch-offs,’” Winston/Rock recalled while claiming her prize at Lottery Headquarters in Baltimore. She returned to the vending machine and purchased a selection of $5 tickets, including the lucky Mosaic Money scratch-off.
She scratched and scanned the tickets inside the store. After multiple losing tickets, she scanned the final one and got a surprising message. “I had given up hope at that point and then the message said to take it to the Lottery,” she said. The clerk confirmed it was a $50,000 winner.
Winston/Rock, who works for the Howard County School System, held on to the ticket, secured it in a safe, and claimed her prize on Monday.
Retailer receives bonus for winning ticket sale
The Quick Stop Food Mart, located at 10750 Hickory Ridge Road in Columbia, will receive a $500 bonus from the Maryland Lottery for selling the winning ticket.
Winston/Rock told lottery officials she plans to invest the prize money, support her family, and set aside some for a new great grandchild expected soon.
The Mosaic Money scratch-off is a $5 game from the Maryland Lottery featuring multiple $50,000 top prizes.
