Lottery Legacy – Rick’s Liquor

In the small town of Mansfield, Louisiana stands a unique retailer that is part liquor store, part dive bar, part drive-thru bar. When you walk through the front door of Rick’s Liquor, you’ll see the Louisiana Lottery product display, a long bar with stools and spirits, and motorcycle paraphernalia covering the walls.

Store Owner Ricky Weeks has owned and operated the store since 1986.

When the Lottery launched in 1991, Ricky wanted to get in on the fun in hopes of increasing traffic flow at his location. 35 years later, the partnership has continued to be a success.

“Being a Lottery retailer has definitely increased foot traffic in the store,” Ricky said. “Customers pick up other things while they’re here, and sometimes they’ll sit down and talk with other customers at the bar.”

Ricky says his customers feel like family. He loves asking about their daily lives and getting to know and connect with them, especially his pick game players who are some of his most dedicated and consistent visitors.

Though they have yet to sell a large winning ticket, they have sold several smaller tickets, which helps with getting people into the store.

“I had a lady win $5,000 one time. It was a good moment, and it changed her life for a little while,” he said. “She was so excited she bought a round for everyone in the store!”

Aside from foot traffic, being a Lottery retailer helped the store in other ways.

“During COVID, it was a really bad time for many reasons,” he said. “For the store, we couldn’t let anyone in, so foot traffic was slow; but we were able to sell Lottery tickets from the drive-thru. That really helped us out and we picked up some new customers during that time.”

Rick’s Liquor also loves to give back to their community, and he’s happy that the Lottery can help out with that.

“My Sales Representative, Ashley, will contribute Lottery goodies to gift baskets we’ll give out for different causes. She and I have a great relationship and I’m lucky to have her.”

In the next 10 years, Ricky hopes to continue the great relationship he has with the Lottery… or buy a jackpot-winning Powerball ticket and retire.

Thank you to our Lottery Legend, Ricky Weeks and everyone at Rick’s Liquor for 35 amazing years of partnership.

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