While I was in Boston, I wanted to get some good shopping in. But I didn’t want to bring loads back with me whilst also keeping the spending to a minimum. I was only taking a wee duffle bag for the 5 days I was there.
I did some preliminary research to see what the shopping was like near my hotel, The Nine Zero and there were just way too many boutique type shops. I really wanted more bang for my buck and I wanted to have some fun saving cash.
I did a search on Google and came up with Wrentham Village Premium Outlets. It’s located just outside out of Boston city centre in a quaint lil town known simply as Wrentham. If you know of the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, NY (New York City Area) – than you know what you would be getting yourself into at Wrentham. Same idea…same family of Premium Outlet Malls. 😉
Hmmm – but how do I get there? I did some more research and found that there were a few options for bus trips up to the outlets. Hey, I’m in Canada. It’s hard to check on reputability of these tour companies.
Upon further investigation I saw that a Bus Company by the name of Boston Common Coach offered trips up to the outlets. They came recommended by Wrentham Village Premium Outlets on their own website. For a reasonable rate they could pick you up from anywhere in the downtown Boston are and get you up to the outlets in less than an hour.
I booked my trip for a Friday morning with the lovely George Daou (President of Boston Common Coach). He mentioned that he could pick me up at my hotel (the bus does its rounds and pickups other hotel passengers/shoppers around the same time) and takes them up to the outlet. We left a shave after 10 a.m. and go to the outlet for 11 a.m.. We had an option to come back to Boston at 2, 5 or 8 p.m.. The passengers and I opted to come back for 5 p.m. which was a good decision.
The bus that we took was roomy, comfy and very safe. The driver kept the chatting to a minimum but was very lovely and efficient. It was a nice opportunity to chat with the other passengers and share stories where we were all from. I was the only Canadian; there was an American woman and 4 other Brits. I found out later when speaking to Susan Bladd, Marketing Director at Wrentham Village Premium Outlets that people come from all over the world to visit the outlets. As far as Asia, Russia, Japan and England for example. I even witnessed people bringing empty suitcases to the outlet to pop their shopping into. It was fascinating.
When we finally got to the outlets it was really neat to see the layout. It was laid out just like a lil New England village. It was clean, with white painted wooden store fronts and new awnings with designer names beckoning you to check out their wares.
Inside the shops were spacious, well organized, friendly and helpful staff, the stores were easy to navigate and at the same time provided a leisure shopping experience.
Just some of the shops you can find at Wrentham Village Premium Outlets include of: Banana Republic, Barneys New York, Burberry, Coach, Cole Haan, Elie Tahari, Hugo Boss, J.Crew, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Salvatore Ferragamo. Newly opened stores worth checking out are Ted Baker and Tory Burch…hollllaaa! 😉
How to Prep for Wrentham Village Premium Outlets
Join the VIP Shopper Club for free online access to The VIP Lounge and enjoy these member benefits ahead of time. You get:
Exclusive Online Coupons
Voucher for a Free VIP Coupon Book
Deals Around Town
Inside Info from Your Favourite Brands
Email Updates: Sales & Special Events
Bring bottled water and your appetite. Shopping is hard work and there are loads of places to eat (food court, restaurants close by).
Wear comfy shoes and layered clothing in case you need to strip off after a while of walking. There is a lot of walking so be ready to get work it. As a head’s up there are storage locker rentals if you need to store your shopping and jackets. Don’t stress about carrying that stuff around. It will weigh you down and get in the way of your shopping fun.
Lastly and most importantly go to the customer service area of the outlet which is located in the same area as the food court and get a coupon booklet. There are ones specifically for AAA members and even a Platinum VIP Passport for even better savings. Plus they are FREE! 😉
The Shopping Experience
Well I’ll be honest when I got there I felt a bit overwhelmed. It was a lot to take in. But once I got my bearings and just went with it – it was easy to navigate. If you have a map then it will help you target those shops you want to hit first or if you’re like me and just want to get lost in the experience – wander but keep an eye on time for rests, water breaks and snack breaks. It’s necessary and it will keep you motivated. Look you may only be here once people. 😉 Try your best to split with your man or partner – I saw loads of men sitting around with their wives and gf’s shopping. I said to one man sitting with 4 big white Coach shopping bags, ‘Wow, you went crazy at Coach again huh?’. He smiled knowingly at me.
The stores I liked and got the best deals at were:
Levi’s – spend $100 and get $15 off with an AAA Membership coupon booklet. I bought 4 pairs of vintage skinny’s, a fitted jean shirt and a looser jean blouse. Some of their pieces were a bit pricey for the outlet but I knew comparatively speaking I couldn’t find these pieces in Toronto anywhere close to the same price and for the selection.
Adidas – At the time there was a buy one and get the other item half price. I picked up a Celtics jersey for $7.49 and a cool black Celtics baseball hat for $20.
Bass – I have always been a huge fan of Bass. I wanted a pair of burgundy penny loafers but didn’t want to spend any more than $50 U.S. A sales girl rooted around for me and found me a pair for $34.99 and also a cool green Bass moccasin to kick around the office in for $24.99. Because the total came more than $50 I saved an additional 10% with an AAA membership.
The bottom line is you need time and patience. Really I encourage you to take it slow. If you rush through it, you might miss some cool things.
How do you get there? Easy:
By Car:
Wrentham Village Premium Outlets is located on Route 1A in Wrentham, MA at the intersection of I-495.
From Boston: I-93 S to I-95 S, to I-495 N, Exit 15, or I-90 W to I-495 S, Exit 15, Wrentham
From Providence: I-95 N to I-495 N, Exit 15, Wrentham
By Tour Bus:
Boston Common Coach
(877) 723-3833
Servicing Boston and Cambridge hotels
Now servicing select Boston area Colleges and Universities
By Taxi:
Foxfield Transportation
(508) 543-2828
Servicing Boston and Providence
Discount shopping packages available. Call for reservations and information.
Franklin Taxi
(508) 528-8294
Servicing MBTA Franklin Line Commuter Rail Passengers
Store Hours:
Bloomingdale’s Outlet Store Now Open
Regular Hours
Mon-Sat: 10am-9pm, Sun: 10am-6pm
Holiday Hours
Mon, Nov 28 – Fri, Dec 23
Mon-Sat: 9am-9pm, Sun: 10am-7pm
Christmas Eve: Sat, Dec 24
9p.m-6pm
Closed: Christmas Day: Sun, Dec 25
After-Holiday Sales: Dec 26 – Jan 1
Mon, Dec 26: 7am-9pm
Tues, Dec 27: 9am-9pm
Wed, Dec 28: 9am-9pm
Thu, Dec 29: 9am-9pm
Fri, Dec 30: 9am-9pm
New Year’s Eve: Sat, Dec 31
9am-6pm
New Year’s Day: Sun, Jan 1
10am-6pm
By the way, Premium Outlets are all over the United States and as well in Puerto Rico, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Mexico. Check it out for additional locations here: http://www.premiumoutlets.com/centers/index.asp
A special shout out to George Daou (President at Boston Common Coach), Susan Bladd (Marketing Director at Wrentham Village Premium Outlets) and Mallory Dion at KORTENHAUS COMMUNICATIONS. Thanks for your feedback and support in helping me construct this piece.
Happy Christmas shopping everyone and tell me what you buy please!
Wrentham Village Premium Outlets
One Premium Outlets Boulevard
Wrentham, MA 02093
(508) 384-0600 http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=10
Yours in fashion,
Mel xo
Thirty Four Flavours 