New OUtlets Merrimack NH

[Bella the Ball 360]

Has anyone been to the new Premium Outlet Mall in Merrimack NH? I went last Friday and was not all that impressed. It seems that these malls have all the same stores and that the stores are really just creating chains and making product that is exclusive to the store. I will admit that the Talbots Outlet had cuter clothes than the original store. There was a Bare Minerals store but I was not going to buy anything due to the fact they only had the loose and not pressed product.

The Disney store was a joke. They had some really cheap tee shirts but I remember the days of great Disney products that were original and only available in the Disney Store. This was for want of a better term ...garbage.

 

[Christine]

All the "outlet" malls are the same. There are very few real outlets anymore. That doesn't mean I don't like the stores--I do, but I never expect any phenomenal deals.

Occasionally, some of the outlet stores will have clearance items from their mian stores and those can be good deals.

 

[monarchsfan16]

My sister, cousin and I are going today. A lot of these stores are a first for NH, so we're intrigued. There are also several (Loft outlet, etc) that we have up in Tilton, but we like the store there, so we're looking forward to being able to shop there a bit closer to home.
Considering the stores that they have there, I'm not anticipating any phenomenal deals. Let's face it, Coach, Saks, etc are never inexpensive. But it will be interesting to go into some different stores and see products that we don't typically see.

 

[Pooh2]

I usually buy shoes at the New Balance outlet down in Lawrence so was pleased to see they are among the new outlets. Have not been down yet but saw NB will have 25% off the entire store June 29-July4th so we'll check it out then.

 

[mlittig]

My daughter went last weekend and was not that impressed either

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

One thing that really made me happy was the fact that this place created a huge amount of jobs in the area. Also, there are some empty store fronts so if they put in a Vera Bradley I think it will fly. The one in Wrentham is always busy and you can get some great deals. I just hope that they do not do what the other stores did which is create their own chain which lessens the desire for the product. Then again there is always a call for Coach and Michael Korrs and they are at every mall. Since I live in MA the thought of no sales tax on a high end product is very alluring. I have been to Tilton but that place is really a waste if you ask me.

Just an aside and a little off topic have you noticed how cheaply made the clothes at the Loft have been? Really went to Wal Mart and found better cotton T's for only 3.59!

 

[jrsmom]

I did see that they had a Le Cruset outlet. Did anyone go into that store?

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I did see that they had a Le Cruset outlet. Did anyone go into that store?

Huh, I did not see it or think of that. Again I was looking for things that were taxed in Ma. That store has potential. I wish they would put a Willam Senoma there like they have in Wrentham. One thing I will say like Wrentham, the entrance and exit will be a real pain when this place is busy. I honestly do not know why they did not make two entrances which they eventually did in Wrentham (and it still did not help). Traffic often backs up for miles in Wrentham and the same situation will occur here. The only difference is that the road into the mall is much longer so people will be waiting off the highway.

 

[monarchsfan16]

What exists right now is only phase one. There will be a phase 2 with more stores and the ever important Dunkins.

I was impressed with the selection of stores, and did quite a bit of shopping. Again, a lot of these stores are totally new to those of us in NH, so it doesn't seem like "just another mall". I specifically don't go to Mass to go shopping because of sales tax, so it's really nice to finally have reasonable access to these stores. I actually like Tilton quite a bit, and make trips there a few times a year, but really like that most of the same stores (plus so many more!) are now half the distance from my house. I'll still have to go to Tilton for my Eddie Bauer t-shirts though.

 

[jrsmom]

Williams Sonoma would be nice. I go to the mall in Salem for that store! As far as not shopping in Ma because of the tax, if you are just buying clothes, they are not taxed in Ma. I just ordered some goodies from Williams Sonoma with free shipping!

 

[denisenh]

DD16 and I went 2nd day of opening. We had fun looking around and bought a few items...bare minerals and a Zumiez but I wouldn't say we got "deals". I did like a few outfits at Ralph Lauren...just to look at though.

I am not big on owning things with high end names plastered all over them (simply for the sake of advertising it, which in many cases is all it is) so i am probably not the best judge. I don't feel a strong desire to return but I am sure that I will.
I do appreciate the economical impact and bit of excitement it brings to Southern NH and hope they do well.

 

[pyrxtc]

I thought the outlets were okay. I was there Saturday morning waiting for my Ears !! A DisneyStore Outlet in NH.... Woohoo !!! Or that's what I thought before I went. It is just like the store in the mall, same products and prices. I was very disappointed. They had some good sales over the weekend and I even shopped at Gymboree for the first time in my life with the deals they had on their clothes. I would have wandered a bit more but my DS8 was bored and tired. I don't shop high end for me but I did step in the Bloomingdale's outlet and the prices weren't bad and the clothes were cute. I'll go back eventually.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Williams Sonoma would be nice. I go to the mall in Salem for that store! As far as not shopping in Ma because of the tax, if you are just buying clothes, they are not taxed in Ma. I just ordered some goodies from Williams Sonoma with free shipping!

I do not think you guys get it re: Wlllams Sonoma....it is and OUTLET in Wrentham! They have fantastic prices on great stuff. I not talking about the regular store. I think there is only one in the country.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I thought the outlets were okay. I was there Saturday morning waiting for my Ears !! A DisneyStore Outlet in NH.... Woohoo !!! Or that's what I thought before I went. It is just like the store in the mall, same products and prices. I was very disappointed. They had some good sales over the weekend and I even shopped at Gymboree for the first time in my life with the deals they had on their clothes. I would have wandered a bit more but my DS8 was bored and tired. I don't shop high end for me but I did step in the Bloomingdale's outlet and the prices weren't bad and the clothes were cute. I'll go back eventually.

Did you get the ears? They were giving out 500 pair and i wanted to go and get some.

 

[threeboysmom]

REALLY????

I LOVED these outlets!! I've spent 2 days there so far and I've only visited 4 stores - Banana Republic, Talbots, Loft, and Ann Taylor. Need to go back!! I bought WAY too many clothes, lol. I found the prices incredible (special pricing over opening weekend). Being in NH, we don't have any of these stores around (well there's a Talbots near me, but the outlet was running 50% off everything). 95% of my clothes are from Ann Taylor and Loft so I am doggone THRILLED that I now have both of these stores within 10 minutes of me!!!! Or maybe I shouldn't be so thrilled because I could easily go into debt with those stores now being so close to me.

My only gripe about the outlets was the food. Come on... a food court???! Really hoping some full-service restaurants are going to follow. Where's Cheesecake Factory? PF Changs? California Pizza Kitchen? We don't have any of those in this area!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

REALLY????

I LOVED these outlets!! I've spent 2 days there so far and I've only visited 4 stores - Banana Republic, Talbots, Loft, and Ann Taylor. Need to go back!! I bought WAY too many clothes, lol. I found the prices incredible (special pricing over opening weekend). Being in NH, we don't have any of these stores around (well there's a Talbots near me, but the outlet was running 50% off everything). 95% of my clothes are from Ann Taylor and Loft so I am doggone THRILLED that I now have both of these stores within 10 minutes of me!!!! Or maybe I shouldn't be so thrilled because I could easily go into debt with those stores now being so close to me.

My only gripe about the outlets was the food. Come on... a food court???! Really hoping some full-service restaurants are going to follow. Where's Cheesecake Factory? PF Changs? California Pizza Kitchen? We don't have any of those in this area!

OMG I had no idea we lived so close! LOL Have you been to Wrentham? Vera Bradley is wonderful as I said before I HOPE they have one in Merrimack. All of the Premium Outlets have a food court that is for the hardcore shoppers. They added a Ruby Tuesday in Wrentham after a few years and then they added an Uno and a Cracker Barrel. I think the space they are clearing below the Mall is for the restaurants. That is how they did it in Wrentham. Did you use your triple A card and get the extra savings booklet? If you spend 75 at Loft you get an extra 15% off and if you spend 100 at AT you get 15% off. Also be SURE to sign up as a VIP club member because they have additional coupons that give you even more of a savings.

 

[threeboysmom]

OMG I had no idea we lived so close! LOL Have you been to Wrentham? Vera Bradley is wonderful as I said before I HOPE they have one in Merrimack. All of the Premium Outlets have a food court that is for the hardcore shoppers. They added a Ruby Tuesday in Wrentham after a few years and then they added an Uno and a Cracker Barrel. I think the space they are clearing below the Mall is for the restaurants. That is how they did it in Wrentham. Did you use your triple A card and get the extra savings booklet? If you spend 75 at Loft you get an extra 15% off and if you spend 100 at AT you get 15% off. Also be SURE to sign up as a VIP club member because they have additional coupons that give you even more of a savings.

Hey, I never knew you lived so close either!!

I've never been to Wrentham. Have always meant to take a trip there, but never do. It probably would be about 75-90 minutes from me.

I did get the AAA booklet and used it well, lol.

Will have to look into signing up as a VIP club member. I'm sure I will be back at the outlets many more times. We should meet up!

 

[goofystitchfan]

Just read this thread and now will need to make a trip to check these outlets out! I have been going to Tilton since before the outlets were there. They are not my favorites, but it is a nice walk and I love visiting up there anyway. (my mom is originally from that area) We typically go to N.Conway atleast once a year and I enjoy them. I do great at the Coach outlet and get fantastic deals which I then sell on ebay for extra Disney $$ sometimes I make 4x what I spent and it doesn't get better than that! I have never been to Wrentham but want to go to the VB outlet (I had a coupon for last weekend but didn't get there) and so glad to hear so many great things about it. Typically I purchase on their web site on the sale section - won't pay full price.

 

[DisneyFanSince71]

I went last week and was very impressed. My DD bought a stuffed Cruella-De-Ville doll for $4 and shirts were selling for as little as $7.

Plus NH is tax free.