Retailer Spotlight - Southern Fruit Market

In a community where “everyone knows everyone,” Southern Fruit Market in Sheridan serves as both a gathering place and a lottery-playing hotspot.

Long-time owner Wendy Godwin initially began selling lottery tickets to expand the products she could offer customers. Now, they’ve grown into a conversation piece for regulars who like to chat while playing their favorite games. Wendy, wanting to encourage this community atmosphere, makes sure to keep her lottery bins full and maintain backstock.

“You can’t sell tickets if you don’t have them out there,” Wendy said.

Raised in the same neighborhood as the store, Wendy works to take care of her community the same way they have taken care of her. She especially values how Arkansas students benefit from lottery ticket sales, having seen firsthand how her work impacts the students around her.

“It’s been a joy to know that kids who want to go to college actually can go with the scholarship,” Wendy shared.