By Kristen Miller
News Editor

Mon Petit, or “my little” in French, is what Amy (Huhn) and Ryan Pettit of Howard Lake are calling their new baby boutique, opening Tuesday in Buffalo.

Amy, a 1996 Dassel-Cokato graduate, was inspired to open this boutique, which will offer high-end baby clothing and accessories, during her recent pregnancy.

“We knew we were having a baby girl and when I went shopping, it was hard to find clothes that others didn’t already have,” Amy said.

So, she took her shopping online.

What she found, however, was that many of the fun clothing lines sold to retailers only.

Amy began to wonder, “What if I were to do this and bring it to this area, because there is nothing here like it,” she said.

Prior to embarking on starting a business, Amy taught for 11 years at Ridgewater College in administrative support.

“It’s been a huge learning curve for me,” she said.

To decide where they would open their baby boutique, Amy and Ryan began researching the area.

They found that Buffalo had a higher population and with the abundance of occasional stores in town, they would get a better flow of traffic there.

By using the name, Mon Petit, the couple wanted to incorporate their last name and reflect the French Victorian style they had planned for the store.

Clothing will be geared for boys and girls, sizes 0 to 5T.

Some of the brands Mon Petit will have in stock are Belle Ame, which makes fancy petti skirts; Kicki Pants, which are made from bamboo to help reduce humidity; along with brands like Kit and Lili, Zootie B. Little, Ruffle Butts, and much more.

There will also be an array of accessories offered such as blankets, colorful hair clips, baby paper, and Sticky Bellies, which are removable stickers used to organize photographs for each month of a child’s first year.

The store will also offer unique footwear called Wee Squeak shoes, which squeak with each step taken.

Mon Petit is located at 11 East Division Street in downtown Buffalo at the rear entrance of the store, A Wreath of Franklin, where they share space.

The couple thought this location was a good fit for their store to attract similar customers because A Wreath of Franklin offers high-end women’s clothing, furniture, decorative items, and more.

The Pettits are also looking to work with local children’s book authors and host book readings and signings.

“We want to do a bunch of fun stuff to get people in,” Amy said.

They are also planning a grand opening event with a professional photographer offering photo sessions along with other activities for kids and families. The date has yet to be determined.

Mon Petit’s website is www.monpetitbabyboutique.com, where one can sign up for e-mail updates on special events or sales, or “Like” them on Facebook.

The store hours will be Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and they will be open Sundays on the full weekend of the month during occasional sales.