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Millionaire Hopefuls Pack Local Lottery Retailers; ‘Luckiest’ Store Closed
November 29, 2012
Thousands of millionaire hopefuls purchased lottery tickets in North Escambia Wednesday, many at stores near the Alabama-Florida line, as the Powerball drawing hit $579 million.
Lottery retailers on the state line — including Davisville and Century — were especially busy Wednesday — Alabama is one of just six states in the continental United States that does not participate in the Powerball lottery.
All of the North Escambia hopefuls missed the $579 million. Lottery officials said early Thursday morning that winning tickets were sold in Arizona and Missouri. There were Match 5 Winners with Power Play worth $2 million sold in seven states, including Florida.
Despite the multi-million dollar hype, one of the luckiest lottery stores in Florida sat closed on Highway 97 in Davisville. Cars headed south from Alabama, pulling into the parking lot of the State Line O’ Yes Lotto. Some drove from central Alabama and were unaware the business closed November 6 after owner Tommy Kroll was murdered inside during a robbery attempt.
The State Line O’ Yes Lotto, in its memorable pink building, had been one of the top lottery retailers in Florida. But Wednesday, Powerball players moved on to the Grey Goose package store across the street, or down Highway 97 a couple of miles to the Davisville BP. At the BP, parked cars lined Highway 97 and the adjacent Nokomis Road Wednesday as the lottery machines printed out ticket after ticket.
The winning numbers from the Powerball drawing Wednesday were 5, 16, 22, 23, 29 with Powerball 6. The drawing was about $579 million, with a lump sum cash option of $360.2 million before taxes — the second largest jackpot in U.S. history.
Pictured top and inset: Hopeful millionaires crowded the Grey Goose package store Wednesday afternoon on Highway 97, just a few yards from the Alabama state line. Pictured below: Lottery hopefuls wrapped up other businesses near the state line, including convenience stores in Davisville (below) and Century. Reader submitted photos by Ditto Gorme and Eric Hare for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
13 Responses to “Millionaire Hopefuls Pack Local Lottery Retailers; ‘Luckiest’ Store Closed”
It might not hurt to seek the advice of an established and reputable financial advisor
or adviser.
Dear Family: I figured that. But was hoping it would open again. That was the only place I would buy my tickets when coming from Atmore. Will miss them.
@bammalady – The pink lotto house will not reopen unless it is under new management / owners. It is too painful for the family to continue with the business.
Will the little pink lotto house reopen?
Miss all our friends at stateliness oyes lottery. May you always get winners. Thank you for your prays. Trial begins Feb. 4th. Good luck! ! And as Tommy would say I’ll be seeing you not if I see you first. He was some character always. Please remember him with his great laugh and smile.
I wish more than two people , would have won , That way alot of dreams could have come true . I also think of the familys that have lost a loved one this year .pray for the sick and the poor , and peace on earth . if I would have won any of the lottery ,I would be broke . because I believe in helping everyone. o well maybe next time
…just imagine the good that could have been done by the money you folks threw away if you’d just given it to a local charity.
So when the state starts crying about budget shortages, I wonder how far this money will stretch?
That’s move away and never come back money.
I must confess that I did buy one ticket for my realatives and one for myself.
I would have donated to church/charity and have purchased Buddy Baker’s #6 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona. The first car to achieve a 200mph lap in Nascar. Those Knight Errant runs and trips to Atmore would have been much more interesting.
When you are poor like me, you are considered Crazy. If you become rich, suddenly you are Eccentric.
I wish that Mississippi and Alabama governors Bryant and Bentley would bring lotto to their states.
It is the most irritating thing in the world, to get calls from out of state realatives wanting you to purchase them a powerball ticket.
Wow! 2 winning tickets sold. I hope they put the winnings to good use and share with those less fortunate. Oh, and yes, I’m sorry it wasn’t me…..
Oh well. There go my hopes and dreams. Back to work I go. I could’ve used that $550 mil.