(WWJ) A party store stop turned out to be life-changing for a Waterford woman, who's now a multi-millionaire.
The Michigan Lottery says 40-year-old Cristy Davis matched all of the winning numbers — 14-47-54-55-68, and the Powerball 25 — in the February 12 drawing to win the $70 million Powerball jackpot.
Davis bought the winning ticket at her favorite party store: Huron Plaza Liquor, located at 694 West Huron Street in Pontiac.
"My friend and I stopped at the party store that day to buy some Lottery," Davis said. "I bought a couple scratch offs and decided to get one Mega Millions ticket and one Powerball ticket, too.
Davis, a mother of two and grandmother of one, talked about her big win in a remote video interview with Lottery officials during the coronavirus stay-home order back in April.
"I remember when Cristy was a teenager, we were at a family gathering talking about what we would do if we ever won big in the lottery," said Davis's mother, Patricia. "She said: 'I'd get my car fixed.' Now, she'll never have to worry about having a broken-down car again."
"I am so happy for Cristy and her family," said Yousef Antoo, owner of Huron Plaza Liquor. "We are thrilled to have sold her the winning ticket and I am looking forward to sharing the $50,000 bonus commission with my employees and church, and doing some improvements at my store."
Davis chose to receive her $70 million jackpot as a one-time lump sum payment of about $50 million, rather than 30 annuity payments for the full amount. After tax withholdings, she received about $36 million.
With her winnings, Davis plans to buy a new house and a new vehicle, then invest the remainder.
"Winning has caused me to feel overwhelmed, grateful, and relieved all at once. I won't have to live paycheck-to-paycheck anymore," Davis said.
Davis is the second Waterford player to win a multimillion-dollar Lottery jackpot. In 2017, Kevin and Stephanie Blake split a $42 million Mega Millions jackpot with a Rhode Island lottery player. Blake bought his winning ticket at the 7-Eleven, located at 3461 Airport Road in Waterford.
