New Yorkers hungry for riches squeezed into this tiny shop on 8th Avenue and 53rd Street for Powerball tickets — despite the size, the state says it's the city's busiest lottery outlet. The owner can vouch for that — especially today.

"In 27 years, this time more people come in," said store owner Pravin Patel.

Patel says the Powerball hysteria is keeping the cash register ringing, he gets 6% of ticket sales, but only a measly $10,000 if he sells a winner. He says more would be nice.

"Give me a number. What do you think?" he asked. "$100,000, maybe? $100,000, sounds good."

The store, a stone’s throw to the theater district, draws everyday New Yorkers and tourists.

Customers like Brad Kendrick kept the line long Wednesday. He came in to buy a stack of Powerball tickets for 130 co-workers who chipped in $5 each hoping to win a fortune and maybe early retirement.

"I don't know if I would done right away but it certainly gets you there much earlier," Kendrick said.

He certainly wasn't alone. A steady stream of prospective rich people streamed in to buy tickets. The thought of winning was mind boggling for some.

"I don't know yet," one said. "It's so much money I can't even think."

And beating the ridiculous odds sounds good to folks ponying up some dough with dreams of raking in a lot more dough. Most say their working days would be over if their ship came in.

Question: "Would you quit your job?"

"Most certainly," said one.

"You mean immediately? Yes," said another.

"I would definitely quit work," said a third.

Question: "Would it be in a nice way?"

"It would be a nice way."

But let's get real here. The chances of winning?

"Very slim," said one. "But you've got to play."

Pravin Patel is hoping someone gets lucky at his store.

"If somebody wins here, Powerball, then I get more business," the store owner said.

Question: So you are rooting for someone to win?

"Yes, of course."