N.J. store clerk buys old workplace after lottery win

Oct 27, 2016, 9:04 pm (21 comments)

New Jersey Lottery

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — "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.

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.

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."

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

wander73's avatarwander73

I would ask joint ownership.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Quote: Originally posted by wander73 on Oct 27, 2016

I would ask joint ownership.

A partnership?  Dave Ramsey says, "The only ship that does not sail is a partnership".

 I congratulate the new young owner. I hope that his business increases.

wander73's avatarwander73

Quote: Originally posted by music* on Oct 27, 2016

A partnership?  Dave Ramsey says, "The only ship that does not sail is a partnership".

 I congratulate the new young owner. I hope that his business increases.

Yes my fault.  Partnership and put in writing.  Get as much commission and stay out of business operations.   As long as the location is doing fine find other places and do a major partnership.

zephbe's avatarzephbe

Congrats to him.  He bought the store--that's not a partnership.

wander73's avatarwander73

Quote: Originally posted by zephbe on Oct 28, 2016

Congrats to him.  He bought the store--that's not a partnership.

Never did say.  Just a thought some people don't do. Could do better things with the money.

JoeBigLotto's avatarJoeBigLotto

Somebody please pinch me and tell me his Boss name is not Mr Patel. Only Mr Patel can come up with this fantastic story using is worker for family business am impress Mr Patel Lol geniusHyper

Unluckyone's avatarUnluckyone

Not sure how much he spent to purchase the business but I would have invested the money in a much different manner. I can't imagine he was able to do a complete audit of the finances or even hire qualified people to look into whether this was a viable business. Going in blind without doing your due diligence is a quick way to financial ruins.

For the previous owner to quickly agree to a selling price puts up all sorts of red flags.

wander73's avatarwander73

Quote: Originally posted by Unluckyone on Oct 28, 2016

Not sure how much he spent to purchase the business but I would have invested the money in a much different manner. I can't imagine he was able to do a complete audit of the finances or even hire qualified people to look into whether this was a viable business. Going in blind without doing your due diligence is a quick way to financial ruins.

For the previous owner to quickly agree to a selling price puts up all sorts of red flags.

I read the full story.   I agree with you.  That is my point.   The only people that know of this behind the scenes are the new coowner,  the previous owner, tax preparer and so forth.   Sounds to me like this person wanted his two cents in and this place is going to be a failure but we all don't know.

 

Someone in the Philly area tried to sell my friend a chinese place to him for free. I told my friend don't do it because he didn't know the proper business, taxes, esrow and so forth.  In fact the same person tried to selling me to a network marketing and I told the guy stop right there. 

 

The guy is going to work too hard.  Why not hire workers and the mentality and invest what the business has?   This guy is going to have a heart attack and I am not trying to be mean about it.    Why not sell it to someone else who has capital gains and make commissions while you're a joint owner.  They're going to have problems.

 

I have a candy machine route and how many people have wanted to buy it.   3-5 people in the past many years and I told them all no.

DELotteryPlyr's avatarDELotteryPlyr

Quote: Originally posted by Unluckyone on Oct 28, 2016

Not sure how much he spent to purchase the business but I would have invested the money in a much different manner. I can't imagine he was able to do a complete audit of the finances or even hire qualified people to look into whether this was a viable business. Going in blind without doing your due diligence is a quick way to financial ruins.

For the previous owner to quickly agree to a selling price puts up all sorts of red flags.

We don't have enough details to know how it went, but that is a good point you make.  Being an employee he might KNOW all the details of how the store is doing.  Also I always think its smart to invest in what you KNOW. 

I hope it prospers and he enjoys his new role in the business. Sad Cheers

wander73's avatarwander73

Quote: Originally posted by DELotteryPlyr on Oct 28, 2016

We don't have enough details to know how it went, but that is a good point you make.  Being an employee he might KNOW all the details of how the store is doing.  Also I always think its smart to invest in what you KNOW. 

I hope it prospers and he enjoys his new role in the business. Sad Cheers

If it were me personally I would have ventured differently.   There are websites on the internet.  Hire people to do the job and make successful.  I see a failure.  Maybe the other guy took whatever and ran.  Something doesn't add up right.

LottoAce's avatarLottoAce

win the lottery and buy the store you work at? why?

thats the kind of mentality like the dishwasher, who didn't claim his lottery jackpot
untill his boss let him have a day off work to do so.

maybe there is some pyscological explaination. that
maybe they just aren't ready for thier life to change
dramaticaly.
but if that is so...then why play the lottery at all?
just pondering....

Congrats to the winnner!

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by wander73 on Oct 28, 2016

If it were me personally I would have ventured differently.   There are websites on the internet.  Hire people to do the job and make successful.  I see a failure.  Maybe the other guy took whatever and ran.  Something doesn't add up right.

What ever floats your boat Jorge, you go for it.  As long as you are yours are happy, that's all that matters.  Personally I'd be like most of LP posters and venture into something else.  I always wanted to own a bowling alley, and that would be my passion when I win the big lottery.

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by wander73 on Oct 28, 2016

Never did say.  Just a thought some people don't do. Could do better things with the money.

I Agree! a lot better things with the money.

Anyway Congratulations Mr,Jorge Alejandro Party

wander73's avatarwander73

Quote: Originally posted by Bleudog101 on Oct 28, 2016

What ever floats your boat Jorge, you go for it.  As long as you are yours are happy, that's all that matters.  Personally I'd be like most of LP posters and venture into something else.  I always wanted to own a bowling alley, and that would be my passion when I win the big lottery.

Owning something means taking care of it means property and because of our difficulty times in this country the taxes and other things.  Running a business isn't always easy and you have to see what people have to adapt to

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