Upper Marlboro winner will launch HVAC business
A Prince George’s County resident is planning to use his $1 million Lottery prize to speed up a life transition he and his fiancé started working on long before he bought a $1 million winning Mega Millions ticket.
“I’m going to try to start a business and buy a vacation property,” the new millionaire said on Jan. 24 while claiming the prize at Maryland Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. The business venture – he is a heating, ventilation and air conditioning tech – has been in the works for years. Meanwhile, his fiancé already has her own information technology business in operation.
It’s not all work and no play at their home, though. The couple plan to take a vacation in Las Vegas.
The Upper Marlboro man purchased the winning quick-pick ticket for the Jan. 6 drawing, but it almost ended up forgotten. Nearly two weeks after the drawing, the player was sitting on his bed when he remembered to check his Lottery tickets.
Shocked by how many numbers he matched in the Mega Millions drawing, the lucky player took the $2 ticket to a nearby store to check it with the ticket scanner. Sure enough, the ticket was a $1 million winner.
“I still don’t believe it,” he said, adding, “I’m glad I didn’t just throw it (the ticket) away.”
He’s been playing “on and off” for about 25 years, the winner said, and his previous personal best win was for $200. He plans to keep playing, adding, “You never know.”
Also having a reason to celebrate is Marlboro Liquors at 5725 Crain Highway in Upper Marlboro. The Prince George’s County business picks up a $2,500 bonus from the Lottery for selling a second-tier winning Mega Millions ticket.
