Winning lottery ticket means ‘wonderful’ day for Simpsonville

Press event for $1.6B ticket was ‘joyful,’ Mayor Curtis says

Simpsonville, S.C. — The City of Simpsonville was the site of a media frenzy on Wednesday after officials announced the winning Mega Millions lottery ticket worth $1.6 billion was sold at a Simpsonville convenience store.

National and local reporters gathered at the KC Mart #7 on Lee Vaughn Road at 1 p.m. for a press conference held by the South Carolina Education Lottery. Simpsonville Mayor Janice Curtis attended the event.

Mayor Curtis said afterwards the press conference was “joyful” with lots of smiling faces.

“This was a once in 300-million-lifetimes event,” Curtis said with a laugh, referring to the odds of winning the $1.6 billion ticket. “Simpsonville is a wonderful city, so it is fitting for such a wonderful thing to happen here.”

S.C. Education Lottery Chief Operating Officer Tony Cooper said at the press conference the winner has 180 days from the date of purchase of the ticket to validate it. Cooper added whoever has the ticket should sign their name on the back because the person who turns in the ticket gets to claim the prize.

 “Welcome to Simpsonville, S.C.,” Cooper said. “It is a big, beautiful day for one lucky ticket owner. We don’t know at this point if it’s one person or group of persons or anything about the identity of the player."

Cooper introduced store owner C.J. Patel, who said he was glad to be at the press conference on Wednesday. Patel said the experience has brought “good attention” to the community.

“Hopefully, the (winner) will spend the money locally and do some good for the community,” Patel added.

After a round of TV interviews, Mayor Curtis said at Simpsonville City Hall reporters asked her if she knew who the winner was.

“I told them, ‘I don’t know who the winner is, but I know I’m not,’” Mayor Curtis said with a laugh.

Mayor Curtis said she and the City of Simpsonville wish the winner or winners nothing but the best.

“Today was a great day for not just the winner but also for Simpsonville and South Carolina,” Mayor Curtis said. “Let’s remember who makes this all possible: the S.C. Education Lottery, which helps support academic scholarships and grants for our residents. I guess you can say we’re all winners.”