People lined up at a store in South Arlington Friday to buy Mega Millions tickets at a location known for producing lottery winners. Chuck's grocery on Matlock, south of 303, says it has sold more winning lottery tickets than any other spot in Tarrant County.
"When the Mega Millions reaches a billion dollars, people's imaginations go pretty wild," says Owner Lupe Beltran. "What would you do with a billion dollars? It's pretty amazing."
Beltran says he would take a year off and get a motor home.
"I'd go visit different places in the United States. There's a lot to see here in America," he says. "After that, I'd come back and figure out what I'd do with the money."
People in line were also making decisions on how to spend the money.
"I would help the homeless, help who I could help," one man said.
"I work hard, I set money aside, so I'm going for it," another said. "That's some life-changing money there. I don't know if I'd retire, but I may."
Many said they had heard about Chuck's and drove out of their way to buy tickets there.
"They say it's the lucky store, I saw all the winners posted there on the wall," one woman said.
"I hope it's lucky tonight for me," the man considering retirement said. "For me, or for anyone else, it'd just be good fortune for anyone."
Beltran has set up a "Wall of Winners" with the pictures of people who have won jackpots there before. Some had won as little as $100; several had won $1 million.
Last week, he says someone won $100,000 on a $5 crossword ticket.
"Everybody was excited for him," Beltran says. "It's fun. Maybe there might be a few tickets that win, but it's fun just imagining what you might do with winnings like that."
By midday Friday, a line of people wrapped around the inside of the store.
"Some people probably sneak out of work a little earlier to beat the crowds, but they'll come in," Beltran says. "It's kind of a community. People know the store, and there's some camaraderie with that."
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