Lottery Legacy – Hilgers Texaco

In the tiny town of Lena, Louisiana, stands Hilgers, a pillar in the community since 1987. Inside the small country store, the wooden walls are adorned with deer head trophy mounts and signs that read “Proud of our Heritage, Work and Country!”  

Amidst the down-home country feel, you’ll find the Hilger brothers connecting with their customers and listening to them joke around about what they’d do if they won a big prize. 

When the Lottery was established, Co-Owners and brothers Mickey and Jimmy Hilger decided to become Lottery retailers because of how new and exciting the opportunity sounded to them and their customers. 

Over the span of Hilgers’ 35-year partnership with the Lottery, the Hilger brothers saw an increase in sales and grew a loyal Lottery customer base. The brothers have been able to utilize their partnership with the Lottery not just to connect with their community, but also with travelers who make it a point to return to the store year after year. 

“We have one customer that works in Alaska and every time he’s back here, he buys tickets for all of his coworkers,” Mickey said. 

The Hilger brothers are firsthand witnesses as to how beneficial the Lottery has been, not just to winners, but to Louisiana communities. One of their customers won $100,000 and was able to start his own small business with it! 

“He bought himself a truck and cattle trailer and went into business moving cows for the local farmers in the area, so that was pretty neat!” Mickey said. 

The store is no stranger to big winners; in 2018 they sold a $1 million winning Powerball ticket, and they’ve also sold top-prize winning scratch-offs in the past.  

Looking toward the future, the brothers have humble hopes of continuing their relationship with the Lottery. 

“I would like to see our relationship with the Lottery continue and to see how long we can stay in business and keep going with you guys,” Mickey said. 

Thank you to our Lottery Legends, the Hilger brothers and everyone at Hilgers Texaco for 35 amazing years of partnership. 

Visit 35th Anniversary | Louisiana Lottery for more information on the Lottery’s 35th anniversary.