Two routine grocery runs in Florida just turned into serious payday stories. A Publix in the Fort Myers area and Milam’s Market in Coconut Grove sold Fantasy 5 tickets in Wednesday’s drawing that together are worth well into six figures, with one player reportedly winning about $116,959 and another roughly $59,130. The Powerball jackpot rolled again and now heads into the weekend.
According to the Miami Herald, the Coconut Grove prize came from a Fantasy 5 evening ticket bought at Milam’s Market, and the Fort Myers-area winner purchased their slip at a Publix store. No one hit the Powerball jackpot on Wednesday, and Powerball lists the annuitized prize at an estimated $212 million for Saturday’s drawing. Both Fantasy 5 winning tickets must still be validated and claimed through the Florida Lottery before any money is paid out.
How Winners Claim Their Payout
Per the Florida Lottery winner’s guide, prizes of $600 or more generally must be claimed at a district office, and draw-game claims must be filed within 180 days of the draw date. The Lottery also publishes a list of district offices and contact details on its Florida Lottery offices page, where mid-range and larger claims are processed. Winners are advised to sign the back of their ticket, keep it secure, and bring a photo ID and a completed claim form when they visit a district office.
Grocery-Store Luck Keeps Hitting
Supermarket retailers keep showing up in recent prize roundups, with ordinary grocery runs occasionally turning into unexpectedly large paydays for shoppers. Hoodline has tracked that pattern in recent weeks, documenting multiple Publix and corner-store wins across South Florida. Those local streaks underscore how everyday errands can suddenly create big headlines for small stores and the lucky customers who walk out with winning tickets.
If you bought a ticket for Wednesday’s draws, double-check your numbers and sign the ticket if you have not already. For questions about claiming or required documentation, see the Florida Lottery’s winner resources for details on timing and office contacts. With Powerball headed toward Saturday’s higher jackpot, plenty of players will be checking their slips a little more carefully this week.
