Hitting it big at The City News
The City News, 135 S. Market St. in Wooster, has been owned and operated by the same family for nearly 50 years. And in those years, the owners have watched from behind the counter as the world transitioned. At one time, they were the only lottery agent in Wayne County. The owner could also cite a time when there was a line out the door and down the street, with customers hoping to get in on a $50,000 jackpot. Presently, it takes millions to get people playing that seriously.
And though it’s currently one of many shops that sell lottery tickets, right now it might be the only place any lottery ticket enthusiast wants to find themselves.
On Tuesday, Sept. 6, the newsstand sold a $20,000 Big Money scratch off ticket and on Wednesday, Sept. 7, they sold a $30,000 Slingo scratch off ticket. The amounts are larger than any other scratch off ticket they’ve sold, with the closest running at $10,000.
Toni Grande, head clerk, and daughter of the owners, sold the first ticket. She reported that her customer was a regular who happened to come in a few days earlier than his scheduled visit.
“When he first came in, he didn’t believe it, he thought he was misreading his lottery ticket,” Grande said. “And I said well, let me double check it. He was like, ‘what am I going to do?’ And I said, whatever you want, that’s the beauty of it.”
According to Karen Hildebrand, store manager, the second customer also didn’t know she had a winner. She had Hildebrand confirm that her tickets were losers before tossing them. As she swiped the final one, Hildebrand announced that it was worth $30,000.
“I’ve seen quite a few unfamiliar faces playing lottery in the last couple of days,” Hildebrand added.
It will likely take six to eight weeks for the winners to have their money, as they have to complete a process of paperwork through the Ohio Lottery.
And if the shop’s recent history is any predictor, future victories may lie ahead for community members at this unique, hometown gem. Grande grinned as she said, “you can’t win if you don’t play.”
In addition to the lottery features, the store boasts 3,200 titles of magazines. They carry a multitude of newspapers, cigars, tobacco, beverages and gourmet nuts. There is a small table in the shop, allowing customers to couple their morning coffee with their favorite read. The staff can also pay utility bills from the store.
“I think a lot of the customers we get are because their grandparents came in here, and their parents came in here, and they came in here with their parents. And they just always have been a customer here, or their parents have, or their family has, and they just kind of continue on with that,” Grande said.
The employees are also personable and fun, with the right amount of smiles and spunk—the ingredients for a series of regular customers, which has ultimately cooked up decades of success. They are open seven days a week, which contributes to their appeal.
Carol Sturges, owner, alongside her husband, added that there aren’t many newsstands like theirs left in the United States. She was especially excited to have such big consecutive wins, considering they’re the oldest lottery agent in the county.
And though it’s currently one of many shops that sell lottery tickets, right now it might be the only place any lottery ticket enthusiast wants to find themselves.
On Tuesday, Sept. 6, the newsstand sold a $20,000 Big Money scratch off ticket and on Wednesday, Sept. 7, they sold a $30,000 Slingo scratch off ticket. The amounts are larger than any other scratch off ticket they’ve sold, with the closest running at $10,000.
Toni Grande, head clerk, and daughter of the owners, sold the first ticket. She reported that her customer was a regular who happened to come in a few days earlier than his scheduled visit.
“When he first came in, he didn’t believe it, he thought he was misreading his lottery ticket,” Grande said. “And I said well, let me double check it. He was like, ‘what am I going to do?’ And I said, whatever you want, that’s the beauty of it.”
According to Karen Hildebrand, store manager, the second customer also didn’t know she had a winner. She had Hildebrand confirm that her tickets were losers before tossing them. As she swiped the final one, Hildebrand announced that it was worth $30,000.
“I’ve seen quite a few unfamiliar faces playing lottery in the last couple of days,” Hildebrand added.
It will likely take six to eight weeks for the winners to have their money, as they have to complete a process of paperwork through the Ohio Lottery.
And if the shop’s recent history is any predictor, future victories may lie ahead for community members at this unique, hometown gem. Grande grinned as she said, “you can’t win if you don’t play.”
In addition to the lottery features, the store boasts 3,200 titles of magazines. They carry a multitude of newspapers, cigars, tobacco, beverages and gourmet nuts. There is a small table in the shop, allowing customers to couple their morning coffee with their favorite read. The staff can also pay utility bills from the store.
“I think a lot of the customers we get are because their grandparents came in here, and their parents came in here, and they came in here with their parents. And they just always have been a customer here, or their parents have, or their family has, and they just kind of continue on with that,” Grande said.
The employees are also personable and fun, with the right amount of smiles and spunk—the ingredients for a series of regular customers, which has ultimately cooked up decades of success. They are open seven days a week, which contributes to their appeal.
Carol Sturges, owner, alongside her husband, added that there aren’t many newsstands like theirs left in the United States. She was especially excited to have such big consecutive wins, considering they’re the oldest lottery agent in the county.
Published: September 13, 2011
