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Because of the high jackpot, even people who don't normally gamble have been buying tickets, said Candyland owner Nisha Kenia.
"It's been so very busy here over the past few days," Kenia said. "Saturday was crazy, and on Monday the lines were even longer. We've been in Bronxville for the past 10 years and we are truly happy to serve the community. I'd just love for somebody over here to win this big jackpot."
Jonne Maurno was one of the many Bronxville residents buying Powerball tickets at Candyland for Wednesday's drawing.
"I really wasn't going to play today, but after seeing how much it increased, I don't think I have a choice," Maurno said. "I seriously can't believe it's $500 million. So basically it's a $2 investment for a chance at all that money and a new dream. I think I'll take a chance."
Topps Bakery employee Rose Marie Feraro said the high jackpot didn't leave her with a choice, either.
"My family works in the city, so they're going to stop at every little store to buy tickets," Feraro said. "We spent a lot of money for the last drawing and clearly didn't win, but we just have to try it again. It's a slim chance, but you have to take it when so much money is on the line."
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 175,223,510, according to the Powerball website.
Candyland has become a place where people go to because they think it's lucky, Kenia said.
"Someone won $10,000 here last month for a Powerball, so now everyone has been coming here," she said. "People have won everything from big Powerball drawings to smaller scratch-offs. We're the lucky lotto store. People come here because they know they're going to win!"
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