Celebrating one year of cherishing children and building community
If there’s one thing that Alyssa Shull has always been passionate about, it’s working with children. The lifelong Lexington resident is marking the first anniversary of her children’s clothing store, Ever Little Boutique, on October 4, and she works part-time in the children’s ministry at Lexington Baptist Church.
Shull can point to a single summer when she discovered her calling – a hectic three-month period when her dreams came together at a pace that surprised and delighted her. Having the opportunity to blend all of her interests was another unexpected yet welcome aspect of her new career.
Growing up in Lexington, Shull found herself drawn to serving others in her part-time and volunteer work – whether at clothing stores like The Kindred Boutique or her church. Again and again, these themes kept showing up.
After graduating from River Bluff High School, Shull attended USC – graduating a semester early with a degree in public health. She leveraged the program’s flexibility to take business management and child behavior classes. In her free time, she worked at a men’s clothing store and nannied for a local family.
“At the time, I thought of these courses and this part-time work as just part of my life in that moment,” said Shull, who found herself mentally shopping for clothing for the little boy she nannied or for her younger cousins. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was actually combining my interests and experiences in preparation for a career I never imagined was possible.”
By the summer before her final semester, Shull began really thinking about what she would do next. Her years of volunteer work with the children’s ministry at her church had turned into a summer internship, and her faith told her that continuing to work with children was an absolute must.
Then a beautiful retail space above The Kindred Boutique became available, and she began brainstorming ideas about what type of business she could build there. Shull and her dad, who owns a dental practice in town, visited local businesses to imagine the possibilities together. Her mother, Pansy, quickly joined in on the planning, and within a whirlwind few months, they had opened the doors to Ever Little Boutique.
Every discussion had returned to blending Shull’s passion for children and clothing, and her path became clear. With her firm belief that every little one is a child of God, “Ever Little” became the store’s name and its mission.
“That was something I wanted to make known – through both my words and actions, when I interact with families who come into the store,” Shull said. “I wanted it to be clear that everyone is a child of God, and that’s the biggest blessing we could ever ask for.”
After a tasteful renovation to showcase the building’s exposed brick, natural light and functional balcony overlooking downtown Lexington, Shull invited members of her church to pray over the space on the day before the store opened. “It definitely set the tone for what this journey has become,” she said.
With unwavering support from Pansy, who is often accompanied by her mini goldendoodle, Monty, Shull opens the doors to Ever Little Boutique every Tuesday through Saturday. From traveling to market together to running the store on a day-to-day basis, the mother-daughter pair are truly a team.
“We have different styles, and so we balance each other,” Shull said. “It’s been a blessing to work together and pour wisdom into each other.”
Shull spends her two days off – Sundays and Mondays – along with Wednesday evenings, in her church ministry role. “I love it at Lexington Baptist Church, where I’m able to mix two things I’m passionate about: faith and kids,” Shull said. “It has been amazing to be a part of the children’s ministry and community while also building Ever Little.”
Inspired by the community around her and the countless connections she’s made over the years, Shull knew from the start that she wanted her boutique to be more than a retail store. She wanted to bring people together while also celebrating the various seasons of life.
When children walk into the boutique, many of them immediately look for Monty, who has his own space in the back but is often welcomed into the main area by customers – parents and kids who love dogs or perhaps want to become more comfortable with them. Many kids also head to the reading corner, Every Little One Has a Story, where Shull has created a cozy space for them to peruse their favorite books. During story time, they can listen to community members, such as a local police officer and her K-9 counterpart. Sensory play pop-ups and other special events also provide engaging opportunities for kids while moms shop or catch up with friends.
Ever Little also offers baby registries, gender reveals, and baby showers – making their boutique a one-stop shop for welcoming new arrivals into the community. Monogramming and embroidery services round out the offerings.
When Shull has a new idea or needs some advice, she just pops into the elevator and rides down one floor to chat with the owners of The Kindred Boutique – her former employers and close family friends.
“They’ve been mentors to me for a long time,” Shull said. “That’s another reason why opening Ever Little felt like it was meant to be. The location above The Kindred Boutique and the focus on children’s clothing complemented what they were already doing so well.”
For Shull, it’s all a part of the magic that makes the Lexington community so special. She said she can’t imagine living anywhere else and is proud to contribute to the growing town.
As Shull reflects on the past 12 months, there’s a single thought that plays on repeat in her mind: gratitude. She’s thankful for the support she’s received from her friends and family – and most especially the Lexington community.
“It makes me speechless and emotional that my dream has turned into a reality and that Ever Little has been able to resonate and connect with so many families,” Shull said. “It’s more than just selling clothes. At the end of the day, it’s about the relationships we’ve been able to create, and that’s an important part of my heart.”
Ever Little Boutique
136 E Main St, Suite B
Lexington, SC