Rita Franczyk’s visit to the Giant Eagle on Towne Center Drive turned unforgettable after a simple suggestion from a store clerk led her to a $1.5 million scratch-off win.

Franczyk said the timing could not have been better. After dealing with a recent rent increase and a burst pipe in her apartment building, she had been staying with her daughter. She now hopes to buy a small home of her own.

A regular shopper at the store, Franczyk said she usually buys an occasional $5 Lottery ticket “just for fun.” That changed when a clerk encouraged her to try one of the store’s new $30 tickets. Her first ticket paid off with a $50 win, and she jokingly thanked the clerk for the advice.

A few days later, she tried again and quickly realized she had hit the jackpot.

On July 30, Franczyk was presented with a commemorative check at the Giant Eagle where the winning ticket was sold.

Jannah Drexler, a Giant Eagle spokesperson, said the company was thrilled to celebrate the win and noted that the chain has sold many high-value winning tickets over its 95-year history.

Players can learn more about Pennsylvania Lottery games on the Lottery website or by downloading the official app.