n February 2025, an Illinois lottery player hit the jackpot with a $1 million Mega Millions ticket bought at Tony’s Fresh Market, 4608 W. Belmont Ave., in Chicago’s Portage Park community. This thrilling victory did not only transform the life of the winner who wished to remain anonymous but also cast the limelight on Tony’s Fresh Market, a popular Chicago grocery chain with a reputation for quality goods and community commitment. In this 1200-word blog post, we’ll dive into the details of the Tony’s Fresh Market Mega Millions winner, explore the store’s role in this story, and share tips for aspiring lottery players, all optimized for SEO to reach readers curious about this thrilling event.
The Mega Millions Win at Tony’s Fresh Market
On February 25, 2025, a Tony’s Fresh Market Mega Millions ticket hit all five white balls—4, 8, 11, 32, and 52—during the drawing to win a $1 million prize. Though the ticket did not include the Mega Ball (13) to win the $181 million jackpot, the victory was life-altering for the unidentified player. According to the Illinois Lottery, the winner has one year from the draw date to claim their prize, and officials recommend signing the back of the ticket and storing it safely until it’s redeemed.
Tony’s Fresh Market, based in the heart of Portage Park, was awarded a $10,000 bonus (1% of the jackpot prize) for selling the winning ticket, a legacy of the store as a good luck spot for lottery customers. This is not the first time Tony’s has made the lottery headlines—a $400,000 winning scratch-off ticket was sold at their Bolingbrook store in 2023, and the store earned a $4,000 bonus. These victories put Tony’s Fresh Market on the map as a top choice for lottery players in the Chicagoland region.
About Tony’s Fresh Market
Established in 1979, Tony’s Fresh Market (formerly Tony’s Finer Foods) has expanded from a single Fullerton Avenue store to a family-owned 15-store chain serving Chicago and its suburbs. Reputed for its fresh produce, global foods, and bargains, Tony’s is a community mainstay, providing a one-stop shopping convenience with fresh deli, bakery, and meat markets. Its Portage Park location at 4608 W. Belmont Ave. is a hotspot for locals, mixing daily grocery shopping with the possibility of winning money from lottery tickets.
Tony’s also actively engages its community with efforts such as the Tony’s Fresh Market Lotería, a 2024 sweepstakes with more than $325,000 in prizes. Customers gained scratch-off game pieces upon qualifying purchases, highlighting the store’s dedication to building thrilling experiences for customers. The Mega Millions win solidifies Tony’s further as a community anchor, where a everyday shopper can find themselves in a million-dollar moment.
The $1 Million Win’s Significance
The $1 million Mega Millions prize at Tony’s Fresh Market is one in a string of Illinois lottery success stories. So far in 2025, Illinois Lottery players have won major prizes, such as a $349 million Mega Millions jackpot and a $1 million Lotto Million 1 prize that was won online. The Tony’s Fresh Market prize is notable, though, for its local importance, highlighting the Portage Park community and the store as a source of life-altering opportunities.
The tale of the anonymous winner also suggests the surprise nature of winning the lottery. As another source reported, “It appears that people purchase winning tickets in the most unexpected places,” ranging from gas stations to markets like Tony’s. The win reinforces the notion that a modest expenditure—a Mega Millions ticket only costs $2—can result in a huge return, which makes the lottery an attractive option for ordinary consumers.
Why Tony’s Fresh Market is a Lucky Spot
Tony’s Fresh Market’s Portage Park location isn’t just a place to buy groceries—it’s now a celebrated lottery landmark. The store’s accessibility and community focus make it a natural stop for lottery players. With its wide range of products, from fresh produce to international specialties, shoppers often pick up a ticket alongside their groceries, hoping for a stroke of luck. The $1 million victory, as well as the 2023 $400,000 scratch-off win in Bolingbrook, implies that Tony’s stores are fortunate hotspots for lottery players.
The $10,000 bonus the store will receive for selling the Mega Millions ticket will most assuredly be invested back into the business, cementing its role in the community. For residents, Tony’s Fresh Market is not just a grocery store—it’s a place where dreams are made, either through good food or a winning lottery ticket.
Tips for Playing Mega Millions
For the Tony’s Fresh Market Mega Millions jackpot winner’s inspiration, here are some suggestions to maximize your lottery experience:
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Check Your Tickets: The Illinois Lottery encourages players to check their tickets, as unclaimed prizes, such as the $1 million Tony’s win, have to be claimed within a year. Sign the back of your ticket and keep it safe in order not to lose it.
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Play Responsibly: Establish a spending limit on lottery tickets, as Mega Millions is $2 a play with an optional $1 Megaplier to increase non-jackpot winnings. Approach the lottery as entertainment, not as an investment.
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Use the Illinois Lottery App: Purchase tickets or access results through the Illinois Lottery app for ease.
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Join a Lottery Pool: Boost your odds by combining funds with coworkers or friends to purchase additional tickets, splitting winnings.
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Stay Up-to-Date: Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 PM ET. The drawing following the Tony’s win was worth $197 million, demonstrating the possibility of huge payouts.
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Shop at Lucky Retailers: Locations such as Tony’s Fresh Market have a long history of selling winning tickets, which is why they are such popular places to play.
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Be Aware of Deadlines: The Tony’s Fresh Market winner will have until February 25, 2026, to claim their prize. Don’t let a winning ticket expire!
The Broader Impact of Lottery Wins
Lottery prizes such as the one at Tony’s Fresh Market have a ripple effect. The $10,000 bonus that the store gets aids in its operations and helps its employees and the local economy. The unclaimed prizes go back into state funds, such as Illinois’ education programs, emphasizing the greater societal effect of the lottery. In 2023, the Illinois Lottery sold more than 63 million instant tickets, producing close to $1.4 billion in prizes, indicating the magnitude of its effect.
The Tony’s Fresh Market victory also sparks hope, reminding players that winning moments can occur at any time. According to officials, players need to “dig through their wallets, coat pockets, and old receipts” so as not to miss out on winnings. This message rings true in Chicago, where tales of wins at neighborhood stores like Tony’s create excitement and neighborhood pride.
Conclusion
The $1 million Mega Millions at Tony’s Fresh Market in Chicago’s Portage Park is a hair-raising addition to the store’s history and a reflection of the Illinois Lottery excitement. For the mystery winner, it’s a life-altering experience, and for Tony’s, it’s an opportunity to become the center of the community spotlight. Whether you’re a regular at Tony’s Fresh Market or a lottery enthusiast, this story inspires dreams of hitting it big. Check your tickets, play responsibly, and visit Tony’s for your next grocery run—you never know when luck might strike!