BUFORD, Ga. — Excitement is in the air in Buford after a winning Powerball ticket worth a staggering $400 million was sold at a local Quickmart. While the winner has yet to come forward, residents are buzzing with anticipation, wondering who among them has struck it rich.
The lucky ticket was sold at a store owned by Bantikumar Thakkar, who opened the Quickmart in 2017. Thakkar, who typically sells around $1,000 in lottery tickets every few weeks, expressed his excitement and disbelief when he learned his store had sold the winning ticket.
“I was hoping all the time somebody would win from here because we have a lot of regular customers who always buy their tickets here,” Thakkar said. “It’s amazing to think that one of them has won this huge amount.”
For selling the winning ticket, Thakkar will receive a $50,000 bonus—a reward that’s sure to bring new attention to his store. “It’s a great feeling,” he said. “I hope more people will come in now that they know we sold a winning ticket.”
While speculation about the winner’s identity continues, local residents have already started dreaming about what they would do with the life-changing sum. Jessica Mallard, a Buford realtor who lives just five minutes from the Quickmart, joked that her first move would be to hand out her business card.
“I’m a realtor, so if anyone is looking to buy their million-dollar dream home, they know where to find me,” Mallard said with a laugh.
Although she didn’t buy a ticket this time around, Mallard has won small amounts in the past. “I’ve never won big money, but this kind of jackpot makes you wonder what you’d do with it. Honestly, I’d give 25% back to the community.”
As the buzz in Buford continues, one thing is clear: whoever the lucky winner is, life is about to change dramatically.