Rehoboth Giant sells golden ticket

It may not have come inside a Wonka Bar, but the Rehoboth Beach Giant in Lighthouse Plaza had the golden ticket.

The store garnered national attention after it was revealed it had sold one of three winning $50 million Powerball tickets.

Still, according to front-end manager Shirl Cardenas, it’s business as usual for the store.

“Nothing’s changed because we don’t know who it is,” she said. “People can’t believe a grocery store sold a winning ticket.”

Among the staff, Cardenas said, “The reaction was everybody hoped they won it.”

Cardenas said store management believes the winning ticket was sold on the night of May 21, four days before the May 25 drawing. The winning numbers were 2, 6, 19, 21 and 27 with 25 as the Powerball.

“We can’t wait to see who it is,” Cardenas said. “Hopefully they can come to the store and let us know who they were, whether they were local or from out of town.”

Delaware Lottery Director Vernon Kirk said the winner has not come forward at this time.

“There is no pattern of when jackpot winners come forward,” he said. “Some come in right away, and others take weeks or even months to claim.”

Kirk said until the claim is made, there is no way to tell if the winner is local. He said an announcement would be made when the ticket is claimed.

The winner will receive one-third of the $50 million prize, split with winners in Florida and Louisiana. Each winner can choose between either a 20-year annuity or the cash value of the jackpot. If the winner chooses the annuity, the winner will receive one-third of the $50 million jackpot paid over 20 years. If a winner chooses the cash option, they will receive a lump sum payment of one-third of the $31 million cash value.

“For one lucky winner in Delaware, Memorial Day weekend will now be remembered as the start of their life as a millionaire,” he said.