New York stores see rush as Powerball jackpot climbs to $1.4 billionbr br New Yorkers and tourists packed stores on Wednesday, September 3, ahead of the $1.4 billion Powerball jackpot draw.br br “This week, everybody is excited for this billion dollars … the business is going up three times more than in a normal time,” said store merchant Andreas Floratos.br br Tourists also wanted to test their luck. “If I won the lottery… I would help my family in Brazil, and I would invest in my career… and also do some charity,” said Raquel Silvacosta.br br Locals had their own dreams. “Help some people and stay, hide out in the city,” said Lisle Harding. Another resident, Khiry B, said: “I would help one million homeless people with houses.”br br With tickets selling fast, players are hoping their numbers will unlock the billion-dollar prize.