$1.22 billion Mega Millions jackpot gas station in Cottonwood, California comments on grand prize win

The owners of the California gas station that sold the fifth-largest Mega Millions ticket in history on Friday were delighted to learn their store had a small share of the $1.22 billion jackpot winnings when they closed the deal after a devastating fire three years ago.

Jaspal Singh’s family has owned Circle K (Sunshine Food and Gas) in Cottonwood, California, for two decades, and they received news of the store’s good fortune just over an hour after the drawing.

According to KRCR, Singh’s son Ishar Gill – the store’s operations manager – was informed by lottery officials at 9:30 a.m. local time that the store had sold the winning ticket, which he couldn’t believe.

Gill said he had to watch the message several times before he could share the life-changing news.

“I had to read it two or three times,” Gill told the outlet. “I told my wife, and then we ran into my dad’s room and told him, and he said, ‘Are you sure? … Did we really win?’”

“Everyone knows about it. Everyone is excited,” he added.

The winning numbers were 3, 7, 37, 49, 55 and the golden mega ball 6.

Gill received confirmation from officers at 11:30 p.m. and was told they would visit the store on Saturday to “dot our t’s and dot our i’s,” Gill told Record Searchlight.

Singh and his family received an incentive from the California Lottery for selling the billion-dollar ticket.

According to the state lottery, retailers receive one-half percent of the jackpot amount for selling the winning ticket, up to $1 million.

The store staff has no idea who the mystery jackpot winner is or what day the ticket was sold.

The unidentified lucky ticket holder can choose between the $1.22 billion jackpot, paid out in installments over 29 years, or the one-time lump sum of an estimated $549.7 million.

A buyer advised the owners to leave Cottonwood — a town of 6,000 people 145 miles north of Sacramento — and enjoy their new financial gift.

“Good job, man,” said Christina, a Shasta County resident, according to KRCR. “I hope you live the rest of your life in peace and happiness. Just ride off into the sunset and forget about this podunk town.”

In August 2021, the gas station was destroyed when flames engulfed the entire building, forcing the family to embark on a “long and difficult” two-year “road to recovery.”

The family reopened the station in March 2023.

Circle K’s owners say they’re not going anywhere and will return some of the money to their Cottonwood community.

“To our amazing community – thank you for supporting us and making us a part of your daily life. Whether for gas, snacks or just a friendly hello, you all mean a lot to us,” the store wrote on Facebook Saturday morning.

“To dreams coming true and to the wonderful people who make Cottonwood so special.”