Mega Millions Excitement Strikes Local Area

Cori's Lucky Lotto Store in the Wantagh Woods Plaza Shopping Center, near the Levittown border, was buzzing with customers early Thursday evening buying lottery tickets in anticipation of Friday night’s Mega Millions record $540 million jackpot.

Cori’s is one of many area businesses that sell lottery tickets seeing an uptick in business this week as local residents test their luck with the hope of striking it rich. Cori’s owner Dipak Patel said business is up around 60 percent this week thanks to the record jackpot. He said during weeks when lottery winnings reach high levels he sees a spike in new customers purchasing tickets in addition to regulars.

“Whenever the jackpot gets high like that, you get new people,” Patel said.

Customers at Cori’s who bought lottery tickets had varying ideas of what they will do with $540 million should be so lucky to win Friday night.

“I’ll take care of a lot of people and give to charity,” said Wantagh resident Jim Houlos, who purchased multiple tickets for Friday’s drawing.

“I’d have to borrow another $2 million to pay off my debt,” joked Rocco Giustino of Wantagh when asked what he would do if he won the Mega Millions jackpot.

Giustino said in addition to taking care of bills he would also give at least 25 percent to charity and invest in real estate.

Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for 11 p.m.