Southport resident Nick Nichols was thrilled when it appeared he’d won $15 on a Maine Lottery scratch ticket. He was elated after learning the ticket prize was not worth $15, but rather $15,000. Nichols and his wife, Mary, won the top prize in September on a $2 “Cash, Bam, Boom” ticket.

Mary Nichols purchased the ticket Sept. 18, two days prior to her birthday. She typically purchases scratch, Megabucks, and Powerball tickets each week at T & D Variety in Boothbay. She brings the tickets home, and the couple plays the game together to see if they win.

On Sept. 19, the couple awoke around 3 a.m. Mary Nichols reminded Nick about the four lottery scratch tickets purchased the previous day. She headed for the computer. And Nick grabbed the two $2 dollar scratch tickets and two $5 dollar tickets.

Nick scratched off what appeared to be a $15 followed by a period and two zeros. Nick thought they’d won $15, and called to Mary. She inspected the ticket and saw the period was actually a comma. Mary scratched the next section which revealed the letters “T-H-O–U.”

“I got all excited that we won $15,” said Nick Nichols. “I showed Mary the ticket. She put on her glasses and scratched another zero. It wasn’t $15, it was $15,000 which was followed by her saying seven ‘oh, my Gods.’”

The couple celebrated their lottery win by having a couple morning beers.

Mary Nichols doesn’t play the lottery expecting to win a large sum of money. She said the scratch and draw games provide her and husband with entertainment.

“I like the money. I hope I win, but we play for the enjoyment,” she said. “We invite friends over and give them scratch tickets. Sometimes I will give the T & D Variety staff tickets. It’s fun to play and share that with others.”

Mary Nichols purchases all of her lottery tickets at T & D Variety. She likes the store for the excellent food it serves, especially the Walnut Chicken Cranberry Salad made by owner Tim Simmons’ mother.

She looks forward to purchasing tickets each week and conversing with the store’s staff. She purchased her winning tickets from employee Dan Wells.

“It’s a great place. And I wanted to make sure everyone knows that’s where the ticket was bought,” Mary Nichols said.

The Nicholses’ $15,000 prize is not the largest Maine Lottery prize awarded at T & D Variety. The store sold two $30,000 tickets last year. T & D Variety has been owned by Simmons and Deb Frankel since 2012. Frankel was glad one of her regular customers won the top prize.

“I was thrilled and excited to find out one of our customers won,” Frankel said. “Especially Mary, who we have built a relationship with.”

The lottery commission awards stores bonuses for selling winning tickets. Stores receives one percent bonus of winning tickets.

“We get a small part of each winning ticket, but the real benefit is it brings in business,” she said. “Customers expect it. They come in to buy tickets, as well as gas, food and everything else we have.”

The Nicholses also believed their victory has inspired others in the Southport community to play the lottery. Nick Nichols said many community members have told the couple: “They are super happy for them.”

“It’s exciting winning $15,000 buying a $2 ticket. I’m hoping (others in the community) play too, and win.”

The Nicholses have lived in Southport for 15 years. She is a semi-retired antiques dealer. He is a retired United Airlines and U.S. Air Force pilot.