Yamir Bryant of Arden almost went to his regular store to buy a lottery ticket on Thursday night, but decided to try a different store where the change of habit brought a chance of fortune with a $1 million prize.

“I always say I’m going to win a million dollars,” said Bryant. “I like to get a $30 ticket once in a blue moon”

The new spot where Bryant bought his lucky Millionaire Maker ticket was the CitiStop on Sweeten Creek road in Asheville.

He waited a few hours, then scratched the ticket with his wife, saw the big win, and started a celebration.

“I ran around the house screaming like a little girl,” laughed Bryant. “I thought I was hallucinating and said, ‘I’m tripping’!”

When Bryant arrived at lottery headquarters Friday afternoon, he could choose to receive his prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump-sum amount of $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $426,069.

Bryant, a chef, plans to pay off his wife’s car, move, and prepare for his sons’ athletic expenses for next school year.

The Millionaire Maker game launched in March 2021. Bryant became the 31st person to win one of the $1 million prizes.

Ticket sales from scratch-off games make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $900 million per year for education. For details on how $11.6 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Buncombe County in 2021, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.