Shopping in Nashua and Merrimack

New Hampshire has no general sales tax, and few places put that to work like Nashua. The city sits right on the Massachusetts line, and its south end has long drawn shoppers from across the border. But shopping here is not only big-box errands. Between Nashua and neighboring Merrimack you can spend a day moving from a state-line mall to a designer outlet center to a downtown piano showroom and a family shoe store that has been fitting feet since 1938. This guide covers shopping in Nashua NH and Merrimack, with independent and destination stores from our directory.

Nashua and Merrimack at a glance

Nashua is a city in southern New Hampshire with a population of 91,322 at the 2020 census, the second largest in northern New England after Manchester. It is one of two county seats of Hillsborough County. Built around a textile industry that has since departed, the city's economy now leans on financial and professional services, high tech and defense. Nashua is one of several American cities nicknamed the Gate City, a nod to its role as a travel gateway between the Boston region and New Hampshire.

Merrimack, directly north, is a town of 26,632 people as of 2020. It includes the villages of Merrimack Village, Thorntons Ferry, Reeds Ferry and South Merrimack. The town takes its name from the Merrimack River, which in turn comes from a Native American word for sturgeon.

A little history

The area was once part of a large Massachusetts tract called Dunstable, first settled around 1654 as a fur trading town where the Nashua and Merrimack rivers meet. When the boundary between Massachusetts and New Hampshire was fixed in 1741, the township was divided. Like many riverfront New England towns, the New Hampshire side developed around water-powered textile mills; the Nashua Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1823 and eventually ran four mills employing about 1,000 people. Downtown Main Street still reflects that mill-city past.

Why people shop here

The South Nashua commercial district is a major regional shopping destination. It lies directly on the Massachusetts border and takes advantage of New Hampshire's lack of sales tax. That cross-border traffic is a big part of the district's character.

For visitors, the practical upshot is that larger purchases, from shoes and clothing to electronics and instruments, can make the trip worthwhile on their own. Pair that with a few independent stores and you have a full day.

The big centers

Pheasant Lane Mall

The South Nashua district is anchored by Pheasant Lane Mall. With about 979,000 square feet of floor space, it is the second-largest mall in New Hampshire. It sits just south of Exit 1 of the F.E. Everett Turnpike, and the property straddles the state line, although the entire mall building is in New Hampshire. Part of the parking lot is in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, so shoppers parked on one side literally walk across the border to get to the doors.

As of 2026 the mall has roughly 139 stores and kiosks, with anchors including Dick's Sporting Goods, JCPenney, Macy's and Target, plus about 15 restaurants. It has been owned and managed by Simon Property Group since 2012.

Merrimack Premium Outlets

A short drive north, Merrimack Premium Outlets is a Simon outlet center in Merrimack. Its store lineup includes brands such as Coach, Michael Kors, adidas, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Brooks Brothers, Cole Haan and Samsonite, among many others. It is the place to go for designer and athletic names at outlet prices, and it combines well with a Nashua mall visit on the same day.

• Merrimack Premium Outlets

Independent stores worth the stop

Alec's Shoe Store

Alec's Shoes describes itself as a family shoe store in Nashua, in business since 1938. More than eight decades in one city is a long run for any independent retailer. The store is on Southwood Drive, and its website lists the brands it carries. If you have been putting off buying good walking shoes or back-to-school pairs, this is the stop.

• Alec's Shoe Store

Balin Books

Balin Books is an independent bookstore on Amherst Street in Nashua, listed with the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce as a specialty retailer. Independent bookstores are a good antidote to mall shopping, a place to slow down, browse and pick up something for the drive home or for the kids.

• Balin Books

Josh's Toys and Games

Josh's Toys and Games is a Nashua toy store focused on fun and on finding unique products. Its shelves include brands like BRIO, Melissa and Doug, Magformers, Ravensburger puzzles and Thames and Kosmos science kits, along with puppets, stuffed animals, arts and crafts and classic toys. It is a reliable stop for birthday presents and rainy-day projects.

• Josh's Toys and Games

Darrell's Music Hall

Downtown at 75 Main Street, Darrell's Music Hall is a piano store specializing in Yamaha and Roland instruments. It carries digital pianos, grand pianos, upright pianos, player pianos and silent pianos, along with used instruments, and it offers tuning and moving services. Even if you are not buying, it is a notable specialty shop on Nashua's Main Street.

• Darrell's Music Hall

A sample shopping day

1. Morning: Start downtown on Main Street in Nashua. Browse Darrell's Music Hall and grab coffee nearby.

2. Late morning: Head to Amherst Street for Balin Books, and to Alec's on Southwood Drive if shoes are on the list.

3. Lunch: Eat in town, or at one of the restaurants at Pheasant Lane Mall.

4. Afternoon: Spend a couple of hours at Pheasant Lane Mall, then drive north to Merrimack Premium Outlets for the designer and athletic brands.

5. Before heading home: Stop at Josh's Toys and Games if there are kids waiting.

Tips for shopping in Nashua and Merrimack

• Remember the tax advantage. New Hampshire has no general sales tax, which is the main reason so many shoppers cross the line.
• Go early on weekends. The South Nashua district draws crowds from both states, especially on Saturdays and during the holiday season.
• Check hours before you go. Independent stores often keep shorter hours than malls, and some specialty shops are open by appointment on certain days.
• Mix big and small. The malls and outlets cover the brands, but the independent stores are where you find service and something different.
• Plan around traffic. The Everett Turnpike and the Exit 1 area get busy at peak shopping times.

Frequently asked questions

Is there sales tax in Nashua NH?

New Hampshire has no general sales tax, which is a big reason the South Nashua shopping district draws so many visitors from Massachusetts.

What is the biggest mall near Nashua?

Pheasant Lane Mall in south Nashua is the second-largest mall in New Hampshire, with about 139 stores and kiosks as of 2026.

Is Pheasant Lane Mall in New Hampshire or Massachusetts?

The mall property straddles the state line, but the entire mall building is in New Hampshire. Part of the parking lot is in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts.

Are there outlets near Nashua?

Yes. Merrimack Premium Outlets, a Simon outlet center, is in the neighboring town of Merrimack.

What independent shops are in Nashua?

Options include Alec's Shoe Store, Balin Books, Josh's Toys and Games and Darrell's Music Hall, among many others in our directory.

Sources

• Nashua, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (Dunstable, mills, population, economy, Gate City, South Nashua shopping, no sales tax): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashua,_New_Hampshire
• Merrimack, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (population, villages, name origin): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrimack,_New_Hampshire
• Pheasant Lane Mall, Wikipedia (size, location, state line, stores, ownership): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pheasant_Lane_Mall
• Merrimack Premium Outlets official site (brands): https://www.premiumoutlets.com/merrimack
• Alec's Shoes official site (family shoe store in Nashua since 1938): https://www.alecs-shoes.com/
• Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce directory, Alec's Shoe Store (Southwood Drive): https://members.nashuachamber.com/list/member/alec-s-shoe-store-19700
• Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce directory, Balin Books (Amherst Street, specialty retail): https://members.nashuachamber.com/list/member/balin-books-26110
• Josh's Toys and Games official site (brands, about us): https://joshstoysandgames.com/
• Darrell's Music Hall official site (75 Main St, Yamaha and Roland, services): https://www.darrellsmusichall.com/