Sunday was a big day in Clearlake Oaks for a family-owned market where someone bought a winning SuperLotto ticket.
There was a flurry of excitement at the small market after the owner learned $70,000 was coming his way. That's the store's share for selling a winning ticket in Saturday night's $28 million state lottery jackpot.
"Woohoo," said one store clerk who answered the phone before passing it to longtime owner Gary Nylander.
"I got a call at 6:30 this morning from the lottery saying we had a SuperLotto winner here," said Oaks Red & White Store owner Nylander. "It's exciting."
But it's a bigger day for whomever bought the ticket at the small full-service market. That person did not come forward by Sunday evening, store staff said.
"They may not even know yet. Somebody is going to get a big surprise," Nylander said.
The Clearlake Oaks ticket buyer was one of two winners, so he or she will split the $28 million, minus taxes, with someone who bought a ticket at a Milpitas store.
"I'm hoping it's one of my regulars," said Nylander, whose family has owned the store since 1933.
The market is on Highway 20 in the small Lake County community.
While many tickets are sold to regular customers, the store's location on the highway means folks from anywhere stop in and buy tickets, Nylander said.
Word got out quickly early Sunday, bringing out a curiosity about whether a local winner was in the community and a desire to wish the market well.
"People have been coming in saying 'congratulations,' " he said.
Nylander already was figuring out to spend the money, which, he said, would really help in light of the recent economic downturn.
"It'll go right back to the store. We're needing some things, things are so tight," he said.
One thing he regretted cutting out in recent years was employee health benefits.
"Now maybe we can get that back," Nylander said.
The Oaks Red & White Store has been part of Nylander's family history since 1933 when his grandmother was the owner.
The 5,000-square-foot market is old style, like a big supermarket but smaller with produce and meat and regular groceries, said Nylander.
He's now run the store for decades and was happy to say his daughter soon will take it over.
"I'm getting ready to retire," said Nylander. "It's getting to stay in the family for another generation."
You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com.
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