PHOTO & STORY BY JERRY MASEK
Almost 10,000 retailers sell Lottery tickets in Ohio. In many cities, one or two retailers gain a reputation for selling winning tickets.
In West Park, that place is the EZ Mart Food Store, 4163 Rocky River Dr. at Valleyview Avenue.
Annually, the store sells more tickets than most other retailers in West Park — more than $1.14 million in fiscal 2018, and about $627,000 from July through December 2018.
More sales means more winners.
Several years ago, the store sold a $1 million winning ticket on a $20 instant game.
The store also sold a $50,000 Cash Explosion winner in May 2018, and a $250,000 Mega Millions winner in 2011. Posters announcing major winners are used as wallpaper throughout the store. Winners come from all over.
Customers come from near and far to buy Lottery tickets at the store, says Ron Ashraf, who owns the business with his brother, Shawn.
Several regular customers have moved from West Park to Rocky River, about 10 miles away, but they still drive back to his store to buy Lottery tickets, Ron said.
Top-selling retailers in 44135 during fiscal 2018
EZ Mart Food Store, 4163 Rocky River Dr., $1.14 million
Convenient Food Mart, 14302 Puritas Ave., $848,207
Grayton Road Tavern, 4760 Grayton Road, $790,646
Winners Sports Bar & Grill, 5300 Riverside Dr., $741,008
Friendly Food Mart, 4050 W. 140 St., $501,209
Top-selling retailers in 44111 during fiscal 2018
Giant Eagle, 3050 W. 117 St., $1.17 million
Charlie’s Beverage, 15803 Lorain Ave., $1.13 million
Convenient Food Mart, 12520 Lorain Ave., $1.07 million
The Third Place, 3314 Warren Road, $946,392
T & W Mart, 15239 Triskett Road, $883,524