Thuy Nguyen says he makes people happy - or, at least, dream of being happy - by selling lottery tickets at his store, Jenny's Gift and Kids Wear in San Jose.
Late Tuesday, Nguyen got a happy call that he initially thought was a prank: His store, which he took over just four months ago, had sold one of two winning tickets for a Mega Millions jackpot that had climbed to $648 million.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the buyer had not come forward with the lucky ticket, which has a cash value of $174 million, minus taxes.
But outside his shop at 1818 Tully Road, Nguyen - a married father of three children - was all smiles as he addressed a media horde.
Lottery officials pegged his payout at $1 million and handed him a giant ceremonial check as cameras clicked.
"Right now, I got more happy - people win the jackpot!" said Nguyen. "Today, very good day. I'm so excited!"
He said of his wife, "She's proud of me - hugged me all night!" He added that he would continue working, "because my life's still young."
He kept busy Wednesday, selling tickets to other lottery hopefuls and accepting congratulations from well-wishers.
Shortly before Nguyen arrived for the day, California Lottery officials affixed signs to his windows reading, "Millionaire Made Here - Are You Next?" They also pored over his cash register to see if they could determine exactly who bought the winning ticket on Sunday.
The winning numbers were 8, 20, 14, 17, 39 and the Mega number 7. There were an additional 20 $1 million winners around the country, plus some other folks who will get less life-changing bonanzas.
Georgia Lottery officials confirmed that the second winning ticket was sold in Atlanta and that the winner, Ira Curry of Stone Mountain, chose the cash option of about $120 million after taxes.
Her San Jose counterpart has one year to claim the prize.
A portion of total lottery revenue, including unclaimed prizes, goes to California schools. Each year, the lottery contributes about $1 billion to public education.
Lottery officials encouraged winners to "immediately" sign the back of their ticket and claim prizes at the nearest California Lottery district office. The closest office to the Bay Area ticket holder is at 2489 Industrial Parkway W. in Hayward. Another office is located at 820 Dubuque Ave. in South San Francisco.
Henry K. Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: hlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @henryklee
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