A fastpitch player and friend in San Diego passed along a bit of interesting news today — that the winning lottery ticket – – worth a cool $40 million — was purchased in Vista, California, at a place familiar to all who have followed fastpitch in San Diego – “Slick’s Liquor”. (Click here for the story in the North County Times)
“Slick’s Liquor” was established by its namesake, Carl “Slick” Davis, founder, owner, sponsor and manager of the Vista Bombers, one of fastpitch’s premier franchises during the 1970’s, when it competed in the Western Softball Congress and ISC World Tournaments. Slick’s Vista Bombers boasted the likes of pitcher Cary Weiler, slugging catcher Steve Turigliatto, slappers Steve Miner (now coaching the women’s team at SDSU), Jimmy Williams, Dickie Campbell, Slick’s son Cory, and a long list of San Diego greats. I had the privilege of wearing the Vista Bomber uniform during the 1980’s, after Slick’s son, Cory took the reigns, and again in the 1990’s, when I had the team, along with Slick’s sons Cory and Tommy.
The store was sold in 1986 after Slick passed away, but his name lives on, and, apparently, so does his magic…
From the:
VISTA —- Six numbers add up to $40 million for someone who purchased a $1 Super Lotto Plus ticket from Slick’s Liquor at 333 S. Santa Fe Road last week.
On Sunday, state lottery officials announced that one person held a ticket with the numbers picked Saturday night: 6-8-11-25-29 and Mega number 4.
That person —- whose chances of winning were 1 in 41,416,353 according to officials —- had not come forward as of Sunday afternoon, lottery spokesman Al Lundeen said.
“At this point we know where the ticket sold and that’s all we know,” he said.
The soonest the winner can officially stake his or her claim is Monday, when the lottery’s district offices reopen after the weekend, Lundeen said.
While most winners come forward within a day or two of the drawing, they have 180 days to claim their prize, Lundeen said. Though some may be anonymous because they are unaware they hold a winning ticket, others have practical reasons for waiting, he said.
“It is common for someone who has won a prize of this size to reach out to some financial advisers,” Lundeen said.
Lottery winnings are subject to federal taxes but are not taxed by the state. How much money winners get depends on whether they choose to be paid with an annuity or a lump sum.
Jeff Kim, whose family has owned Slick’s Liquor since 1986, said he doesn’t know the name of the ticket holder, but he’s sure it belongs to a familiar face. Nearly everyone who comes into the store is a repeat customer, he said.
“I’m glad it’s one of my regulars,” Kim said.
Vista resident Celeste Moran said she’s been shopping at Slick’s for 10 years and has been buying lottery tickets from the Kims just as long. She has yet to hit it big, but that didn’t take away from her excitement Sunday.
She enthusiastically congratulated Kim on his cut of the winnings —- half of one percent of the jackpot, or about $250,000 before taxes —- before thanking him for ordering special popcorn for her.
Then she ran to her car to tell her husband Manny about the Kim family’s luck.
“The only way I’d be more excited was if it was me who won,” Moran said. “It’s such a nice family business.”
Kim said he was working Saturday night when a lottery official called the store to say a jackpot ticket had been purchased there.
“At first I thought it was someone giving a practical joke,” he said.
In the 21 years his family has owned the store, a handful of people have won $1,000 prizes playing scratch-off games purchased at his counter, Kim said.
Never had the “Millionaire made here” banner hung above his door.
Kim said he’s not a gambler himself, but that he’s happy about the money he’ll receive.
“Not bad for one day’s work,” he said.
Kim, who owns the store with his wife and has two children, will share the proceeds with his parents and a brother and sister, he said.
Eight other tickets throughout the state are worth $11,000 following the Saturday drawing, Lundeen said.
Six weeks ago, a $31 million ticket was sold at a San Diego store, he said.
“The two most recent jackpots of significant size have been in San Diego County, which is pretty remarkable,” Lundeen said.
Contact staff writer Colleen Mensching at (760) 739-6675 or cmensching@nctimes.com.