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Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | N.J. deli waits for its $212M Powerball winner to surface Powerball: N.J. deli waits for its $212M Powerball winner to surfaceMORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Someone who bought a Powerball lottery ticket last week at Gene's II Deli in Morris Township, New Jersey, could be a very rich person, but the winner of Saturday's $211.7 million jackpot has yet to come forward. Lav Patel, a co-owner of the Speedwell Avenue deli and convenience store, said someone had called three times Monday from three different telephone numbers to verify the winning number. "I don't know if it's the same person," said Patel, who runs Gene's with his cousin, Pinal Patel, and Rudrakant Joshi. Patel said he's hoping the winner is a regular customer. The store will receive a $10,000 bonus from the state lottery commission for selling the winning ticket, said Dominick DeMarco, spokesman for the New Jersey Lottery. Saturday's drawing marks the first time a jackpot-winning Powerball ticket has been purchased in New Jersey since the state started offering the game on Jan. 31. The jackpot, which has been growing since Feb. 10, has a cash value of about $101.6 million. Steven Palmieri, the acting executive director of the New Jersey Lottery, said in a release that Powerball is quickly gaining in popularity. "With New Jersey selling winning tickets, it is bound to become even more popular in the weeks and months to come," Palmieri said. The largest solo jackpot win in New Jersey lottery was in 2005 by Harold and Helen Lerner in Rutherford, who won $258 million in the Mega Millions, DeMarco said. In Gene's, where a wall of scratch-off lotto tickets complements the big-bucks lottery offerings, customers were excited that their local deli had sold a winner. "They're like family," said Natasha Futrell, who works across the street from Gene's. "I think this is a lucky spot. It's always packed." Kate Kelleher had tried for Saturday's jackpot with a ticket bought at the deli. "Oh my God, I did (buy a ticket)," Kelleher said. "I looked for a minute. I had one number."  (Click to display full-size in gallery)
Star Ledger We'd love to see your comments here! Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums. If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment. 24 comments. Last comment 3 years ago by . Ridge Runner - Oracle of the Appalachians Way back up in them dadgum hills, son! United States Member #74415 April 28, 2009 12433 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 15, 2010, 10:43 pm - IP Logged | |
I wonder if they're related to the other Joshi who split for Katmandu with Willis Willis' jackpot. I'll never forget old whats-his-name...
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PA United States Member #66644 October 16, 2008 1280 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 15, 2010, 11:07 pm - IP Logged | |
Best wishes to the winner ! 
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Indiana United States Member #49185 January 7, 2007 1838 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 15, 2010, 11:25 pm - IP Logged | |
Congratulations to the winner. Gonna win. | | |
Idaho United States Member #56982 November 21, 2007 3939 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 16, 2010, 12:09 am - IP Logged | |
Yes, congrats to whoever won! "No one remembers the person who almost climbed the mountain, only the person who eventually gets to the top."
ThatScaryChick | | |
Norfolk,VA United States Member #83765 December 2, 2009 757 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 16, 2010, 3:54 am - IP Logged | |
I wonder if they're related to the other Joshi who split for Katmandu with Willis Willis' jackpot.  i was thinking and wondering the same thing....
''YOU CAN PAY FOR SCHOOL BUT, YOU CAN'T BUY CLASS'' | | |
Hard Luck, Ak United States Member #23813 October 13, 2005 232 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 16, 2010, 5:55 am - IP Logged | |
"Only $10,000 for selling a ticket that is worth over 211 million?" Most states pay at least 0.1 percent for selling a winning ticket. I think the store should at least get 211 grand. Just doesn't seem right to me. "GOT MY SHADES ON WAITING FOR THE SUN TO SHINE MY WAY!, EVERYTHING EVENS UP YOU JUST WAIT...... FOR EVEN A GARBAGE CAN GETS A STEAK!!" JAY-Z (BLUE PRINT)  | | |
United States Member #88461 March 16, 2010 397 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 16, 2010, 6:16 am - IP Logged | |
Why is the cash value always less with Power Ball and more with Mega Millions? Either way it is a sweet win. 
$1,000,000 | | |
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| | Posted: March 16, 2010, 6:22 am - IP Logged | |
Yes, Virginia, there is a santa claus, and by the way, some people have all the luck! | | |
New Jersey United States Member #77624 July 13, 2009 7805 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 16, 2010, 8:33 am - IP Logged | |
Congratulations to the winner(s)  Morris Plains is about 30 minutes from where I live - very nice area with lots of business offices so it would be nice if this was another pool win like the Chubb Group from last year. Either way, the State will make at least $10 million since enactment of the new tax on lottery winnings. As for payment to the Deli, the $10,000 bonus payout sounds fair to me. The Long Beach, California lottery agent who sold the winning $133 million ticket receives one half of one percent or $655,000. What did they do to deserve that kind of payout? Nothing, really. Plus they got free publicity for their store so they'll end up with more business than they can handle. | | |
California United States Member #81456 October 7, 2009 91 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 16, 2010, 5:35 pm - IP Logged | |
'Lav Patel, a co-owner of the Speedwell Avenue deli and conveniencestore, said someone had called three times Monday from three differenttelephone numbers to verify the winning number. "I don't know if it's the same person," said Patel, who runs Gene'swith his cousin, Pinal Patel, and Rudrakant Joshi. Patel said he'shoping the winner is a regular customer."' I don't know why anyone would need to call the store they bought it at to find the winning numbers. All they need to do is a quick Google search to find the "Official New Jersey Lottery Web Site." BTW, this is the web site address for the New Jersey Lottery. | | |
United States Member #10921 January 23, 2005 933 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 16, 2010, 9:41 pm - IP Logged | |
this isn't Virginia, this is nj... MORRIS PLAINS The Only One WINNER!!!! I'M from Morris Plains and play most of my Pb in MP. How's that for a topper!!! Take that, Hurricane, WV... take that, Rutherford, Cape May, Shaker Heights, wherever!!!! I can be proud of this town now! Nice that the 1st Pb WIN in nj is right HERE!!! If it were me.. I'd wait until after Saturday before popping up. My friend's band TooManyGodz is playing about 1 block away from Gene's II. (how's that for good publicity!) If it were me I'd want to go there incognito (sorta!) and then announce the Monday after. I guess we'll find out soon enough. We are quite familiar with Speedwell Avenue.. we were at Friendly's the other night a few blocks away.. nobody was even talking about this. The winner could have their celebration meal there and no one would notice! By the way, see related story on here about the "Education Lottery", sometimes the "official" results are "wrong". Even when Mr. Whittaker won he thought he missed by one due to incorrect published numbers. Also someone calling the store doesn't mean they won, remember Ohio? | | |
United States Member #88461 March 16, 2010 397 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 17, 2010, 3:29 am - IP Logged | |
^ I'd wait at-least 2 weeks...if not longer before claiming or telling anyone. And I am sorry...why would anyone celebrate at a Friendly's?  
$1,000,000 | | |
PA United States Member #66644 October 16, 2008 1280 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 17, 2010, 9:26 am - IP Logged | |
I'd claim it right away - that way I would have my money !  ...... and I hope that it is one person !  | | |
United States Member #61714 May 16, 2008 126 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 17, 2010, 3:57 pm - IP Logged | |
^ I'd wait at-least 2 weeks...if not longer before claiming or telling anyone. And I am sorry...why would anyone celebrate at a Friendly's?
I'd have no problem celebrating at Friendly's. I love ice cream! | | |
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