Joe Chaheid, owner of Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California, is at work at his business on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Chaheid said he received $1 million from the California lottery for selling his $2.04 billion Powerball tickets at a gas station minimart in Altadena. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Joe Chaheid, owner of Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California, is at work at his business on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Chaheid said he received $1 million from the California lottery for selling his $2.04 billion Powerball tickets at a gas station minimart in Altadena. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jacqueline Luckner poses for a photo with Joe Chahayed, owner of Joe’s Service Center, before buying a lottery ticket in Altadena, California. Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Chahayed said he received $1 million from the California lottery for selling his Powerball tickets for $2.04 billion at the Altadena gas station minimart. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Joe Chahayed, owner of Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California, poses for a photo with El Monte’s Betty Trujillo at his business on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Altadena petrol station minimart. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Joe Chaheid, owner of Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California, is at work at his business on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Chaheid said he received $1 million from the California lottery for selling his $2.04 billion Powerball tickets at a gas station minimart in Altadena. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Betty Trujillo of El Monte buying lottery tickets from Joe Chaheid at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California. Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Chahayed said she received $1 million for selling $2.04 billion in Powerball tickets at the Altadena gas station minimart. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Joe Chaheid, owner of Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California, is at work at his business on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Chaheid said he received $1 million from the California lottery for selling his $2.04 billion Powerball tickets at a gas station minimart in Altadena. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Betty Trujillo of El Monte hugging Joe Chahayed, owner of Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California. Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Chahayed said he received $1 million for selling his $2.04 billion Powerball tickets at the Altadena gas station minimart. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Joe Chaheid, owner of Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California, is at work at his business on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Chaheid said he received $1 million from the California lottery for selling his $2.04 billion Powerball tickets at a gas station minimart in Altadena. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Joe Chaheid, owner of Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California, is at work at his business on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Chaheid said he received $1 million from the California lottery for selling his $2.04 billion Powerball tickets at a gas station minimart in Altadena. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Joe Chahayed, 75, can wish good luck in four languages. He invoked a variation of that greeting the day after news broke that he had sold Powerball tickets that won the jackpot of the biggest lottery in U.S. history.
The $2.04 billion winner has not been announced. But there was a constant stream of customers paying for gas and buying lottery tickets. Many people asked Joe to take a selfie with them before saying goodbye.
“Buena suerte, bon chance, good luck, you can say it in Arabic,” Chahayid said as he held court at the store, exchanging money, printing tickets and breezes with customers. rice field.
His son Danny, 33, who helps run a gas station, said his father wouldn’t quit his job even with a $1 million windfall.
“He never took a day off or vacation. He’s a hard worker,” he said. The family also owns another gas station in North He Hollywood. “He opens at his 6 and he’s here until 3 or 4, six days a week. On Sundays he goes to St. He Anne Church in Hollywood.
Chahayed said he hopes one of his regulars will become the new billionaire. He or she can choose a lump sum payment of approximately $997.6 million or a reduction of her $2.04 billion in full if paid over 30 years. In any event, California regulations do not allow ticket holders to remain anonymous.
David Kauls, lottery sales manager at the Chatsworth District Office, said the wait could be long. The state’s final two jackpot winners from Morro Bay and Woodland Hills did not show up to claim their prizes for about two months after the draw.
“They usually hire lawyers and financial advisors,” he said. “The Chino Hills winner (over $500 million) many years ago waited over six months.”
The jackpot winner will be given a year. Once a claim is submitted, our security team will review it and send it to our prize payment department for payment. The state administration will make the payment. Lottery officials then publish the names of the winners.
Cecilio Garcia, 68, buys lottery tickets from Joe most Mondays and Fridays. He lives two blocks away from him. The retired gardener stopped by the store Wednesday to turn in a winning ticket worth $8, which he used to buy one Powerball and Super Lotto entry, as well as his pack of Marlboro lights. I bought it.
“You buy a ticket, store it in the glove compartment, then turn it in,” Garcia said. “I usually get Quick Her picks, because hopefully luck strikes me to make my life easier and help my family.”
Chahayed said his family is a barometer of his success. He is a Syrian-American immigrant, has been married for 51 years, has five children and he has 11 grandchildren. He has owned his business for his 23 years.
“What’s a good life? It’s a family,” he said. “My children, my grandchildren, that’s my life.”
Altadena nurse Maribel Lucas said she and her family pumped gas at Joe’s service center.
“It was crazy. “We do pool at work and now everyone says we have to buy from there. I do.”
This week’s Powerball jackpot is $20 million. For example, Chahayed is rooting for them.
“Good luck to all our customers. If you don’t win, try again,” says Chahayed. “There is always hope for next time.”