MOGADORE, OH – At Avenue Market & Deli, it’s important to store owner Kalpesh Patel and his staff that customers feel at home. Store manager Sunita Patel said, “The first thing a customer sees when they walk in is a bright smile and a helpful employee.” That has been the basis of their Lottery business growth. Avenue Market & Deli is dedicated to Lottery and customer experience, and that’s why this store is the Ohio Lottery Retailer-of-the-Week.

To help promote the Lottery, this retailer displays big winners on their “Wall of Fame” so customers can see which tickets have winners. Many customers will check out the winner posters before buying their own tickets. Second-chance drawings are also promoted at Avenue Market & Deli. Employees have a unique ritual with their customers: they slap the customer’s tickets as a gesture of “good luck.” Most customers request this in case an employee forgets!

Lottery Sales Representative Larry Scragg recommended Avenue Market & Deli because Kalpesh and Sunita helped him become a better sales representative. They are always interested in new products that are available to them and asking what they can do to assist their customers. They always have a smile on their face and are very personable and friendly!

In order to be a successful Lottery retailer, Kalpesh offers this advice: always greet your customers with a smile and ask them how their day is going. Always sell with enthusiasm. Don’t hesitate to help out new customers and make sure you are up to date with Lottery products. Be sure to encourage your customers to buy as well as cash their winners with you by showing your investment in their success. Always be willing to cash winning tickets under $599 and assist customers with the process for cashing higher amounts.

Avenue Market & Deli averages $32,169 in weekly sales for both scratch-offs and online games. This retailer carries an average of 96 scratch-offs from over the counter and through the WinStation.

Each week the Ohio Lottery recognizes one outstanding retail partner who offers courteous service and sales enthusiasm. Retailer-of-the-Week is chosen based on recommendations from the store’s sales representative and regional sales office staff. Avenue Market & Deli will be recognized on Cash Explosion® on Saturday, May 8.

Portage and Summit County residents can tune into Cash Explosion® on WEWS TV 5 in Cleveland. The Cash Explosion show is carried on 10 stations across the state every Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Viewers can also stream the show on the Cash Explosion website and on the Ohio Lottery mobile app.