CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — It's considered one of the luckiest stores around, Pittman's Qwik Mart off McArdle Road where customers have been known to scratch their way to big bucks on Texas lottery tickets.
However folks showing up the last couple of days have found the doors closed and locked.
Turns out, they've opened a brand new spot and loyal customers are hoping the luck will follow.
The new and improved Pittman's is now open and just feet away from its original spot.
"This is my first time walking in here, tried to open the door next door, and it was locked," customer Paul Morales said. "The place is open, really, this is fantastic, a big upgrade from what they had."
Morales isn't the only one who was caught off guard.
"I think it's cool new stuff in there, bigger than the old one," said another customer Noah Trevino.
Employees told 3NEWS it's their third day at the much larger location with food and beverage options that are fresh to go.
Those who live in the neighborhood, like resident Marco Fregoso, are excited to see the update after close to 30 years.
"It's pretty good for this community instead of going to Walmart, we just come here now," Fregoso said.
But the biggest attraction is still the store's claim to fame as one of the luckiest lotto stores in Texas!
"I grew up in this neighborhood years ago when the Texas Lotto first came out one of the first winners of the million dollar tickets was from this area and they bought it from this store," he said.
In fact, employees say they were able to build the new store from the ground up thanks to their take from big winnings the old location produced and customers are hoping that luck carries over.
"We're hoping," Fregoso said. "I buy tickets from time to time"
There were plenty of folks in line attempting to strike it rich.
One of the additions, a huge video board that displays dozens of lotto tickets for the picking.
"A year ago I won a $20,000 dollar scratch off here, next door of course," said one regular customer who wanted to remain anonymous.
Just after our interview, we saw that magic play out once again for that very lucky customer.
Not once, but twice with two $500 dollar winners.
A win-win for both the store and its community.