See $90 million lottery ticket sold at Union City NJ store
A $90 million lottery ticket was sold at Garden State News store on Bergenline Avenue in Union City and NJ Lottery celebrates Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025
Many people think that birds are signs from the heavens. One lucky lottery player sure is a believer now.
“I was up [the night of the drawing]. Hoping for something. Then − whomp − a bird hit my window. I knew something was coming for me, but I didn’t know just what,” the winner of the $90 million Mega Millions jackpot earlier this month told New Jersey Lottery officials when they claimed their prize.
One ticket sold at the Garden State News on Bergenline Avenue in Union City matched all six numbers on Dec. 2 to win the jackpot. Lottery winners in New Jersey are allowed to remain anonymous under state law.
The winner, who opted for the cash value of almost $42 million, didn’t even realize they had won until days later and a return trip to the Garden State News.
“People were all about asking ‘Who do you think won the prize?’ I just stood there, watching and sipping my coffee,” the winner said, unaware they were about to learn their fortuitous fate.
The store clerk scanned the winning ticket, but didn’t say anything right away – waiting for the crowd to leave the store.
“I showed the player that they won,” the clerk told lottery officials. “They still didn’t believe. Then they cried.”
The lottery player said: “This will allow my family to be financially free, but, I want to be careful. I don’t want this to change my life.”
The winning numbers
The lottery player said they usually play the NJ Lottery’s Pick-4 game, but on the last Sunday in November decided to change it up and played the Mega Millions.
The numbers were individually selected and all hold significance for the winner, such as life milestones.
“I finished work and I came in and played the Mega and used all of my numbers,” the winner said.
“I have dreamed of those numbers.”
