Mega Millions winner in N. Bellmore

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She purchased the winning ticket at the 7-Eleven convenience store on Newbridge Road, three blocks south of Bellmore Avenue in North Bellmore.
"The lottery called me on Wednesday morning and told me the ticket was bought here," said local 7-Eleven franchise owner Steve Hirschheimer. "I hope it's someone who needs it."
Lottery officials said that Long Island's newest multi-millionaire is 52 years old and retired. The woman will be identified, along with several winners of lesser lottery prizes, at an upcoming news conference, New York State Lottery spokeswoman Carolyn Hapeman said.
"I'm very happy," Hirschheimer added. "It's good for the store and for 7-Eleven's reputation, and I feel good for the person." The storeowner, who has run the neighborhood business for 21 years, said he hopes the winner is a regular customer. A known customer came in and claimed to a female clerk that she was the winner, he said, but confirmation of the person's identity has to come from lottery officials.
"Until I see her with the ticket, it could be anyone," he commented. Hirschheimer was leaving for a vacation in Puerto Rico on Friday and expressed disappointment that the customer's identity might be revealed while he was away.
The winning numbers were 22,25, 33, 36, 48 and powerball 40. Before now, the biggest winner that the store had had was for $5,000. Hirschheimer said he noticed a slight increase in lottery sales since the announcement. He said he was unsure whether purchasers would now consider the store lucky, noting that they are often "very superstitious," even though the numbers are drawn randomly.
There have been only 15 Mega Million winners from New York since the state joined the game in 2002, Hapeman said, uncertain how many, if any, came from Nassau County. Twelve states take part in Mega Millions, with jackpot prizes starting at $12 million.
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