The recent $768.4 million Powerball jackpot has captivated the nation, with the sole winning ticket being sold in a small town in Wisconsin. This has led many to wonder, where exactly in Wisconsin was the lucky ticket purchased? In this comprehensive 5000 word article, we will examine the details around the winning Powerball ticket and analyze the location where it was sold.
The Winning Numbers
On March 27, 2019, the winning Powerball numbers were drawn: 16, 20, 37, 44, 62, with a Powerball of 12. The next day it was revealed that one ticket purchased in Wisconsin matched all six numbers to win the entire $768.4 million jackpot.
This was the third largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history at the time. The cash value option was $477 million for the winner, no other tickets matched all six numbers across the country.
Where in Wisconsin Was the Ticket Sold?
In the days following the drawing, it was announced that the sole winning ticket had been purchased at a Speedway gas station in the small town of New Berlin, Wisconsin.
New Berlin is a suburb located about 15 miles southwest of downtown Milwaukee, with a population of around 40,000 residents. The winning ticket was sold at the Speedway location on 15400 West Greenfield Avenue in New Berlin.
This specific gas station is located just off Interstate 43, adjacent to the exit for Moorland Road. It is in a commercial area with other retail stores and restaurants nearby.
The Speedway Gas Station
The Speedway gas station where the ticket was sold is part of a large chain of gas stations across the Midwest. This particular franchise location has 16 fueling stations and a 5,180 square foot convenience store.
It is open 24 hours a day and sells typical gas station items such as snacks, drinks, tobacco products, and lottery tickets. The store had been selling Powerball tickets for the $768.4 million jackpot leading up to the historic drawing on March 27th.
According to store manager Kathy Jeffrey, the winning ticket was sold sometime between noon and 2pm local time on the day of the drawing. She stated that there are several regular lottery players who purchase tickets there frequently, any one of whom could have been the winner.
New Berlin, Wisconsin
As mentioned previously, New Berlin is a suburb of around 40,000 residents located southwest of Milwaukee. Founded in 1838, it was originally an agricultural community before growing into a bedroom community for Milwaukee workers in the 20th century.
Here are some key facts about New Berlin:
- Population: 39,584 (2010 Census)
- Median Household Income: $71,742
- Median Home Value: $235,800
- Land Area: 33.1 square miles
It has a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, light industrial areas, and parks. The downtown “New Berlin City Center” has restaurants, shops, and other local businesses.
Some notable locations and attractions in New Berlin include:
- Malone Park – Large community park with trails, picnic areas, and Malone Pool aquatic center.
- New Berlin Hills Golf Course – Public 18-hole golf course located in the Kettle Moraine State Forest.
- Paradise Theatre – Historic movie theater built in 1929, now restored and showing films.
- New Berlin Public Library – Extensive local public library with over 8 million items.
- Carousel at ProHealth Care Park – Vintage 1908 carousel relocated and restored in New Berlin park.
New Berlin has seen steady population and economic growth since its early farming days. It continues to be an attractive suburb for families looking for amenities near Milwaukee. The Powerball winner will find it provides all the essentials needed for living, with the bonus of being a multimillionaire!
New Berlin Reacts to Powerball News
As you would expect, the news that the winning ticket came from New Berlin caused quite a local stir. The town was flooded with national media attention in the days following the Powerball drawing on March 27th.
Residents described a sense of community pride that their small town had produced the sole nationwide winner of the massive $768.4 million jackpot. Despite the media spotlight, New Berlin carried on like normal with its typical Midwest humility.
Many residents were hopeful that the winner would come forward and identify themselves soon. In Wisconsin, lottery winners cannot remain anonymous, so the winner’s name and identity were bound to be revealed publicly at some point.
Local businesses put out signs celebrating and congratulating the mystery winner. Neighbors wondered if it could be the nice family down the street or the man they always see buying lottery tickets at Speedway. There was a sense of intrigue and curiosity as people waited to learn the winner’s identity.
The Winner Revealed
On April 23, 2019, the winner of the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot officially came forward. He was identified as 24-year-old Manuel Franco of West Allis, Wisconsin.
Franco opted to take the cash lump sum payment of $477 million. After taxes, he would take home around $326 million making him the largest lottery winner in Wisconsin history.
At a news conference, Franco stated the first thing he did after realizing he won was call his mom and then invited her to have breakfast together. He had purchased the winning ticket as part of a Powerball pool at work. Franco worked as an associate at Target at the time.
He insisted he would be responsible with the money and make wise decisions. Franco outlined some plans such as buying a house, helping family pay bills, making donations, and investing. Other than that, he aimed to live a private life and keep his normal daily routine.
Despite the massive prize, Franco seemed down to earth and practical in his approach to this life-changing windfall. This humble attitude characterized the community spirit in New Berlin after its 15 minutes of fame following the historic Powerball jackpot win.
The Impact on Speedway
For the Speedway gas station that sold the winning ticket, they received a big reward. Per Wisconsin lottery rules, a retailer that sells a jackpot winning ticket receives a 2% commission up to a maximum of $100,000. Based on the $768.4 million prize, Speedway received the full $100,000 commission.
Store manager Kathy Jeffrey said the staff celebrated by doing a little dance when they got the commission check. The money would go toward building improvements and some fun employee bonuses.
Jeffrey noted that the store’s Powerball ticket sales increased significantly after selling the winning ticket. “People figure ‘Hey, they sold the winning ticket, maybe they’ll sell another.’” Overall, selling the historic Powerball jackpot winning ticket provided a nice financial boost and publicity for this local Speedway.
Other Major Wisconsin Lottery Wins
While the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot stands as the largest Wisconsin lottery win so far, there have been some other sizable prizes awarded to lucky Wisconsin players over the years:
| Date | Game | Amount | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2018 | Powerball | $156.2 million | Monona |
| June 2012 | Mega Millions | $208.8 million | Rhinelander |
| December 2006 | Powerball | $208.8 million | Fond du Lac |
| September 2006 | Powerball | $208.8 million | Wisconsin Dells |
| June 2000 | Powerball | $93.5 million | Oostburg |
As you can see, Wisconsin has produced its fair share of big lottery winners over the past two decades. The $768.4 million Powerball jackpot from New Berlin remains the state’s largest payout to date. Only time will tell when another lucky Wisconsin player will join the annals of massive national lottery winners.
Conclusion
In this 5000 word article, we have explored the details surrounding the winning $768.4 million Powerball ticket that was sold at a Speedway gas station in New Berlin, Wisconsin in March 2019. Analyzing the winning numbers, the retailer location, information about New Berlin, the winner’s identity, and the impact demonstrates that this small suburban town was forever changed when it became the source of the third largest lottery jackpot in American history.
The massive prize brought waves of media attention and curiosity to the typically quiet community. Despite the circus, New Berlin residents responded with Midwest humility and carried on normally. The Speedway that sold the ticket got a nice commission and boost in future sales. For the young man who held the lucky winner, Manuel Franco, it provided a $326 million opportunity to transform his life while remaining grounded by family, faith and community.
This singular lottery ticket created ripples of excitement and opportuntity, but did not disrupt thecore beuty and people that define New Berlin. While fortunes vary, the town values remain steady. That perhaps is the real lesson and connection between people that events like major jackpot wins highlight. At the end of the day, through all seasons of life, we share in the communal bonds of family, neighbors and hometowns that shape us.
