Whittier liquor store sells $10 million lottery ticket

ABC7

WHITTIER — A lucky customer is $10 million richer after purchasing a winning Scratchers ticket at Barley Bin Liquor, a beloved corner store that’s been part of the Whittier community for 35 years.

The family-run shop, managed by brothers Raymond and Tony Boulos, has long served as a neighborhood staple since their father Leon first opened its doors. Now, it’s the site of one of the largest Scratchers wins in recent memory.

“I see adults that I used to know as children,” said Raymond Boulos. “They were 8 years old, and now they are in their 30s. It’s the kind of place that people, once they come here, they never leave. Everything you could want is here in Whittier.”

For selling the $10 million winning ticket, Barley Bin Liquor will receive a $50,000 bonus from the California Lottery—a reward the Boulos brothers say will be reinvested into the store.

The big win comes on the heels of another major prize sold at the shop earlier this year: a $750,000 Mystery Crossword Scratchers ticket in March. Prior to 2025, Barley Bin had never sold a winning ticket of this magnitude.

“As longtime Whittier residents,” said Tony Boulos, “we are proud of the community we have that calls us their local corner store. So many people have come to this store for so many years.”

The identity of the newest multimillionaire remains a mystery. California Lottery officials say the winner must still go through a standard vetting process, including a review by law enforcement to verify the claim’s legitimacy. The process typically takes six to eight weeks.

“While we won’t know who won just yet, we can certainly celebrate right along with the Boulos family, and their Whittier community,” said Daniel Kelly, a spokesperson for the California Lottery. “We want to send a big thank you to all our players who support California public schools every time they play.”

To the Boulos family, the win is not just about the money—it’s a reflection of the loyal community they’ve helped build.

Barley Bin Liquor is located at the corner of Hadley Street and Greenleaf Avenue in Whittier. Who the lucky winner is may still be a mystery, but one thing is certain: Whittier is celebrating.