By Petula Dvorak

Washington Post Staff Writer T

hursday, April 9, 2009; 12:11 PM

The opening of a new Giant two years ago in Ward 8, after nearly a decade without a grocery store, was celebrated with bunches of balloons, violinists and politicians preening for cameras.
But today the store on Alabama Avenue is Southeast is abuzz for another big event: Someone bought the only winning ticket for a $144 million Powerball prize there.
A D.C. Lottery van was parked on the sidewalk in front of the Giant this morning. About a dozen helium filled balloons greeted shoppers just inside the grocery's automated doors.
The community has been abuzz over the news of the winning ticket, said Mark Ortega, the store manager.
"With these economic times, we're really glad the winner is probably coming from this community," he said.
The winning ticket bears the numbers 1, 6, 48, 52, 56 and the Powerball is 9. Officials do not know the name of the winner, who has not come forward.
"The D.C. Lottery is very excited that the grand prize POWERBALL jackpot ticket was sold in the District," Jeffrey "Jay" Young, executive director of the D.C. Lottery, said in a statement.
Powerball began in 1985 and is played in 29 states, the District and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The record jackpot was $365 million won by eight workers at a Nebraska meatpacking plant in February 2006.