A quick stop at a corner grocery in Ridgewood just turned into nearly half a million dollars for neighborhood resident Agnieszka Warchol.
Warchol hit a top prize on the New York Lottery’s Win $1,000 A Week For Life scratch-off and opted for a one-time cash payout instead of weekly checks. After required federal and state withholdings, she walked away with $429,595. The lucky $2 ticket came from Bhakti Sagar Grocery on Woodward Avenue in Ridgewood.
She completed her claim at state lottery offices this week. According to New York Upstate, that $429,595 figure reflects the amount she received after taxes were taken out.
How the Win $1,000 A Week For Life Ticket Works
The $2 Win $1,000 A Week For Life scratch-off guarantees a minimum payout of $1,000,000 and gives winners a choice: steady weekly payments or a lump-sum cash option like the one Warchol selected.
The game still has big money on the table. The listing for the ticket on the New York Lottery website shows there are five top prizes remaining, according to New York Lottery.
Big Wins, Bigger Boost for Schools
Scratch-off games did more than just make a Ridgewood resident richer this year. They generated $4,339,794,048 in sales during fiscal year 2024–25, and Lottery Aid to Education funds directed $1,427,185,199 to school districts across the city.
"The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.6 billion in fiscal year 2024-2025 to benefit public schools in New York State," the lottery notes. According to New York Lottery, that revenue supports classroom programs statewide.
Warchol's win joins a string of New York scratch-off success stories this year, a reminder that a quick purchase at the local shop can sometimes turn into a life-altering payout. Lottery officials urge players to sign and secure any winning ticket, verify game status, and download the official Game Report from the New York Lottery when they want to double-check a scratch-off.
