Merrimack Mom Wins $5k Outlets Shopping Spree

Until this week, the best prize Merrimack resident Allison Hackett had won before was $500 on a scratch ticket.

It was a pretty decent prize, but definitely trumped by the $5,000 shopping spree she learned she won this week at the Merrimack Premium Outlets.

"This is the biggest prize I've ever won," Hackett said Thursday afternoon, adding that she wouldn't mind if her good fortune spread to a $5,000 a week Publishers Clearing House grand prize.

And who wouldn't dream about that kind of jackpot?

Hackett, 34, a mom of three and bus driver for the Merrimack School District, learned earlier this week that her name was drawn as the grand prize winner, selected from a pool of thousands who entered for the chance at dozens of prizes donated from stores around the shopping center,

The Merrimack woman said she visited the Outlets for the first time on Father's Day, when she entered her name into the drawing.

Hackett smiled from ear-to-ear as Merrimack Premium Outlets General Manager Elaine Devine presented her with a very special gift box containing five $1,000 Simon gift cards. Tied with a blue bow, Devine told Hackett the bow was made from a piece of the blue ribbon that was cut during

Hackett, who learned a couple days ago of her good fortune, said she and friend Robin Grant went and did a little pre-shopping on Wednesday, and decided on her first stop, the Coach Outlet.

Known for its durable and trendy-yet-sophisticated handbags, its not out of the question to spend $300 on a single bag, even at the outlet store. So to hear the cashier tell Hackett she'd spent only $187 and change on her first shopping spree purchase was downright amazing, primarily because she bought three  bags: one for herself, one for Grant and a third for another friend.

She giddily handed over one of her gift cards before finding a home for them in her new, white, Poppy Signature Sateen Hippie Bag – which on its own retails for $198.

"It was love at first sight," Hackett said as she checked out at Coach.

Devine said Hackett's name was pulled by Town Manager Eileen Cabanel from an enormous bag of entry slips.

"We're still counting them," Assistant General Manager Aylin Felch said. "There are thousands of entries."

"She was incredibly lucky," Devine said of Hackett. "It's amazing that (the winner) is from Merrimack."

Cabanel said Thursday evening that as she pulled the names for the dozens of opening weekend prizes, it was name after name from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Canada and more.

She was so excited, she said, when she pulled the grand prize winner and it was a local woman.

Hackett, was excited, too, as she mugged for the camera with Devine and Grant.

The mother of a 9-year-old daughter and twin 8-year-old sons, Hackett has lived in Merrimack for three years. She is engaged to be married and now, $5,000 richer.

Asked what came next Hackett replied, "I'm going to Disney W... I mean, Store."