Maryland Visitor Nearly Forgets $1 Million Scratch-Off Scored At Detroit Liquor Store

A quick liquor-store run in Detroit turned into a seven-figure shocker when a $1 million Michigan Lottery instant ticket was sold this week at a Woodbridge convenience shop. The winner, a Maryland resident in town visiting family, did not realize right away what they were carrying around, then later claimed the prize in Lansing, opted for a lump-sum payout and chose to stay anonymous.

According to MLive, the winning instant ticket was bought at Forest Liquor in Detroit. The player, identified as 46 years old, told lottery officials, "I was in Michigan visiting family and stopped at the store on my way to the airport." They then forgot about the ticket, scratched it days later and discovered it was worth $1 million.

As listed in state licensing records, Forest Liquor is located at 4535 Trumbull St., confirming the retailer is tied to the winning ticket. The store appears in official state licensing and liquor-control documents covering Detroit businesses.

The winner later showed up at Michigan Lottery headquarters in Lansing and took a one-time lump-sum payment of about $634,000, MLive reported. The player told the outlet they plan to take a trip and save the rest of the windfall.

Small Stores, Big Headlines

When an instant ticket hits a top prize, the shop that sold it usually gets at least a few days of neighborhood fame. For regulars, it is a small morale boost, and for the owners, it is a rare burst of free publicity. Forest Liquor now joins the growing list of Michigan corner stores connected to seven-figure instant wins, a reminder that life-changing tickets can come from the most ordinary spots.

How To Check And Claim A Big Prize

Michigan Lottery explains in its FAQ that players can scan tickets using the mobile app, send in mail-in claims and see what tax withholdings apply to larger prizes. Winners of significant amounts are instructed to follow the Lottery's guidelines for submitting signed tickets and identification when claiming at prize claim centers.

For now, the Woodbridge shop can tack another "million-dollar winner sold here" line onto its history, and an anonymous visitor from Maryland is heading home with a payout that will reshape their plans for the year. The Michigan Lottery maintains a running list of winners and prize-claim resources for anyone who wants to double-check the stack of tickets on the kitchen counter.