Fairplex Liquor in La Verne Helps Snow White Earn a Lotto Money

From Snow White to Dough White

If you don’t believe in fairy tales, you better start. How else can you explain a 22-year-old actress who played Snow White at Disneyland walking into Fairplex Liquor in La Verne (next to El Merendero Mexican Restaurant) and walking out $5.2 million richer, courtesy of the California Lottery’s “Make Me a Millionaire” game show, on which contestants get to appear by winning a scratch-off ticket.

Actually, Natalie Marston purchased the ticket in February and won the money last Saturday by correctly predicting 11 times in a row whether the next randomly selected number would be higher or lower than the previous number.

Obviously as Snow White, the Rancho Cucamonga actress had spent plenty of time at the wishing well.

“I know I played Snow White, but I feel more like Cinderella!” said Marston, who appeared as a “quiz kid” in the feature film “Magnolia” with Tom Cruise but had been finding acting roles few and far between. “In a million years, I would not have thought something like this could happen to me. I am still in shock!”

Fairplex Liquor in La Verne.

Marston said she was down to just $20 in her checking account when she spent $1 to buy the scratcher. For her $1, she will take home an annual $195,000 after taxes for 20 years, for a total of $3.9 million, lottery officials said.

While Marston will no longer have to whistle while she works, the new Dough White will continue seeking acting jobs. She is also planning a September 2010 wedding at a more exotic location than she had previously planned.

Of course, it takes two to tango. Were it not for Fairplex Liquors in La Verne, chances are Marston might not have won her millions. Unfortunately, a scratcher winner doesn’t net the liquor store any kind of bonus for selling the winning ticket. A percentage of the winnings only go to vendors who sell SuperLotto winners.

The Lottery's new leading lady.

“Because it was a scratcher, we do not get a cut,” said cashier James Skinner. “If it was Lotto or a MEGA-type game that comes off that computer, we get a percentage. But since it was a scratcher, and she went on the game show, technically she won the money.”

As a consolation Fairplex Liquor has earned the right to display the banner, “A Millionaire Was Made Here.”

Fairplex Liquors is something of a La Verne institution. It is the first liquor store in the city of La Verne after overcoming some early church objections. So close to Fairplex and the drag strip, it’s been offering liquid refreshment (Jack Daniels is a big seller) for race car and fair enthusiasts for over half a century.

Another of its trademarks is offering Bud Lite on ice in a little beer bucket. “Buy a cold one and head on home,” said Skinner, who said lottery sales have been spiking ever since the show aired. The current $325 million up for grabs in the MEGA Millions is also adding some pop to sales.

“We have customers who come in and will buy $100 at a shot,” Skinner said.

Then there are people like Marston with the Cinderella touch who need only a dollar to make their dreams come true.

Friendly cashier James Skinner is always close to the action.

 Not everyone can win the lottery, so think about low-cost insurance from Steve Johnson, Tim Larkin or George Henderson, all proud LaVerneOnline supporters.