A small eatery on a wealthy Massachusetts island is gaining national attention after producing yet another millionaire. Old South Diner has now sold its fifth lottery ticket worth $1 million or more in just two years, and this time, a local woman is celebrating the life-changing win.
The most recent jackpot came from a $2 million Powerball ticket purchased at the diner in March 2026. Initially, lottery officials said the winner had not yet come forward and could take up to a year to claim the prize. However, within days, that changed when a longtime Nantucket resident, Mary Haley, stepped forward to claim her fortune at the Massachusetts State Lottery headquarters.
Raised on Nantucket, Haley matched the first five numbers in the drawing and used the Power Play option to double her winnings from $1 million to $2 million. The winning numbers secured Haley a multimillion-dollar payout, though she did not hit the jackpot.
Meanwhile, Haley’s win marks the fifth major lottery success tied to the same diner, an extraordinary streak, earning the location a reputation as one of the luckiest lottery ticket retailers in the country.
Old South Diner lottery winners
The diner’s streak began in March 2024 and has continued at a remarkable pace. March 11, 2024, Boston resident Jose Fontanez won a $1 million prize from a “$4,000,000 Bonus Bucks” scratch ticket purchased at the Old South Diner.
Then, on June 10, 2024, Garen Downie of Hyannis won $2 million “Lifetime Millions” when he purchased a scratch at the same location. And on August 20, 2024, Nantucket chef Sean Durnin won $1 million on a “$10,000,000 Bonanza” ticket.
Earlier in March 2026, Island resident Yancy Contreras Menjivar claimed a $2 million prize from a “$2,000,000 Stacked” scratch ticket, opting for a lump-sum payout of about $1.3 million before taxes.
Together, these wins total at least $8 million in prizes, all tied to the same place.
Why this diner keeps producing winners
While the streak may seem unbelievable, lottery officials say there’s a simple explanation: volume. The diner consistently ranks among the top lottery retailers in the region, meaning it sells a high number of tickets, increasing the odds that winning tickets will be purchased there
Still, five million-dollar wins in two years are rare enough to garner widespread attention and even speculation about how it happens. The diner has also benefited financially, earning tens of thousands of dollars in bonuses for selling winning tickets.
For locals and tourists alike, the diner has become more than just a place to grab food; it’s now a destination for hopeful lottery players chasing the next big win. With five major prizes already claimed, one question remains: will lightning strike a sixth time?
Published: Mar 30, 2026 02:38 pm