Community Corner
N.J. Store Clerk Buys Old Workplace After Lottery Win
"It's heartwarming to see good things happen to good people," lottery officials said.

JERSEY CITY, NJ — “Dude… Things would be different if I owned this place.”
Any convenience store clerk that has put in time behind the register has probably uttered this empowering phrase under their breath at one point in their career. But one New Jersey worker recently got to breathe life into this fantasy, courtesy of a $1.25 million state lottery win.
Jorge Alejandro – a young man working as clerk at Jefry Supermarket on Ocean Avenue in Jersey City – won a $1,256,093 prize in the Jersey Cash 5 drawing on May 12 after purchasing a ticket at that store, NJ Lottery officials stated.
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As of Oct. 27, Alejandro’s prize is the highest of 2016, according to lottery officials.
After winning the jackpot, Alejandro became a success symbol for convenience store clerks nationwide when he bought the store from his former employer. He’s now back on the job and working hard… but this time as his own boss.
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Despite his good fortune, the experience of being on the other end of the paycheck hasn’t changed Alejandro’s desire to help his fellow man, lottery officials stated.
“Jorge continues to work hand-in-hand with his prior boss and will do so until the previous owner is ready to retire,” lottery officials said. “It’s heartwarming to see good things happen to good people.”
- See related article: $1M Lottery Tickets Sold In Bergen County
Photo: Google Earth
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