Meet Ally Norton, owner of Main Street’s newest shop, @lapetiteruelleflemington, which specializes in clothing, toys, and accessories for the modern kid. Growing up in Flemington, Ally decided also to raise her own family here and always dreamed of opening a children’s clothing shop. “My first date with my husband, over a few beers down in DC, he asked me, “What is your dream”? My response was two-fold. One day, opening up a farm sanctuary and a kids shop. Fast forward years later, and I got my kids shop, but still waiting on that farm sanctuary,” says Ally. In January 2021, Ally and her husband Dave opened @thecornerflemington next door to La Petite Ruelle. The name La Petite Ruelle, translates to “the little alley.” A nod to the alley between her building and the neighbor’s building, which boasts beautiful historic architecture – something Flemington can be proud of. In the two months the shop has been open, Ally loves meeting and getting to know her customers. “They’re so supportive and excited that there is a shop like this local, and right here on Main Street. Many of our customers become our friends, which is very nice,” says Ally. Ally envisions Flemington as a thriving downtown in just a few short years. “I hope that people outside of Flemington see the side that we see; it’s charming, unique, and we have so much heart. And I dream of people coming here as a destination, to shop and dine the way they used to.” La Petite Ruelle is open Wed-Sat from 11-5 and Sun 10-2!
