Luck was with Larry Dawson when he purchased his $9.09 million winning Hot Lotto ticket last week. That lottery ticket was also lucky for the store that sold Dawson the winner. Representatives of Doc's Stop convenience store on Superior Street in Webster City accepted a $5,000 bonus check Tuesday morning from officials of the Iowa Lottery.
Kendall Doolittle of Doc's Stop said he was pleased with the $5,000 bonus and that funds will go toward improvements at the store.
This is the third big winner for Doc's Stops in Webster City. The store on West Second Street had a $100,000 winner, and the Closz Drive location had a $25,000 winner.
Article Photos
Officials with Doc's Stop convenience stores accepted a $5,000 check from the Iowa Lottery as a bonus for selling the winning Hot Lotto ticket recently. Those pictured are Chuck Ellis, Iowa Lottery, Diane Weber, Doc's Stop, Terry Rich, CEO of Iowa Lottery, Kendall Doolittle, Doc's Stop, Tracey Drube, Doc's Stop, Kevin Claxton and Doug Orr, both with the Iowa Lottery.
Terry Rich, CEO of the Iowa Lottery, was on hand to present the ceremonial check to Doolittle.
"One of the things the Iowa Lottery tries to do is to help Iowa," said Rich. "We donate around $60 million back to the state's general fund. But as important as that are some of the hope and aspirations people have in playing the lottery for entertainment."
"I know Webster City has had ups and downs recently, but you know, we are really working hard through the state to bring Iowa back in full swing and look for ways to help businesses and people," he said.
Lottery sales have hit record levels this year, according to Rich.
"There are a couple reasons for that. One is you don't have to travel very far. You can stop at your local Doc's Stop or other convenience store and pick up a ticket or two for a couple of dollars," he said. "That's the other thing, for a couple of bucks, you can dream a little bit. In this economy, people need the opportunity to dream and think of what could be."
Having said that, Rich encouraged Iowans to "play with your head, not above your head."
"It's important that people play with discretionary dollars or entertainment dollars," Rich said.