News writer
Union City woke up buzzing on Wednesday. Not just because a New Jersey player won the $90 million Mega Millions jackpot, but because the winning ticket came from a neighborhood store already building a reputation for big luck. Garden State News, a small shop on Bergenline Avenue, suddenly became the center of statewide attention as officials, reporters, and locals packed inside to celebrate the win and the $30,000 retailer bonus that comes with it.
“I just found out this morning at 6:30 that we had a winner,” he said amid a constant stream of curious customers. “It’s great for the player, for us, and the community. Now, we’re one of the lucky stores, too.”
Local street is on a hot streak
The lucky ticketholder isn’t the only one who won this week. This jackpot win marks the ninth major lottery prize sold in Union City for 2025. It is also the fourth big win tied to businesses on Bergenline Avenue, the heart of the community’s commercial life.
Patel’s store, which is located at 4024 Bergenline Ave. in Union City, is now officially part of that local lottery luck. His store is joining the string of retailers located on what residents are starting to call “the luckiest street in Hudson County.”
During a check presentation at the store, Lottery Director James Carey praised retailers like Patel. “The retailers are the heart and soul of our business,” Carey said. “New Jersey really punches above its weight in terms of big winners. We hope to have even more.”
And winners are what Carey has seen during his eight-year tenure as the New Jersey Lottery director. He has seen 10 Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots won in New Jersey during that time.
How these jackpot wins help more than just the winner
While this lucky ticketholder will get $90 million for their win, the lottery retailer bonus has power of its own. For small businesses like Patel’s, that $30,000 can be a lifeline or a launchpad.
These bonuses often help these neighborhood stores:
- Offset rising operating costs
- Extend store hours since now more foot traffic is coming into the store
- Hire additional staff from the community
- Upgrade aging equipment
- Boost inventory and services
In other words, when lottery players are buying these tickets, they’re not only chasing the jackpot, but they’re also helping support local economies and those small businesses that anchor them.
55 years of celebrating
This latest jackpot win happens to land on the 55th anniversary of the New Jersey Lottery. Council members Maryuri Martinetti and Celin Valdivia pointed this out, including that a former mayor of Union City helped establish the state’s lottery decades ago.
Now that city is enjoying its lottery wins. The community came out to celebrate this latest win, with cheering neighbors, a packed store, and a sense that this was a win for the entire block, not just one lucky player.
A short jackpot run
While Union City is celebrating the $90 million jackpot win, it's worth noting that this jackpot win was part of one of the shortest Mega Millions jackpot runs since 2023. This win comes just five draws after the $980 million jackpot win in Georgia.
A short jackpot run, but it did help generate nearly $5 million in sales for the New Jersey Lottery. Of that, over $2 million was generated to help support the state’s public employee pension fund, which is just another reminder of how lottery participation fuels more than jackpots.
The Mega Millions jackpot now resets to $50 million for Friday’s drawing. However, the afterglow of this big win is likely to linger in Union City, especially at Garden State News on Bergenline Avenue.
Enjoy playing the New Jersey Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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