15 years of Butter Paddle
The Butter Paddle in downtown Los Gatos is celebrating its 15th anniversary with an open house on Oct. 25.
The volunteer-run gift shop has gone through a refresh over the last year. They are inviting guests to explore the updated space, which includes new signage, seasonal decor and expanded product offerings. The open house will also feature live music, refreshments and giveaways.
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The anniversary festivities will start on Oct. 22 with a special Holiday Sneak Peek from 9-11 a.m. The event is invite-only for frequent customers who follow the store on social media or subscribe to the Butter Paddle’s newsletter That same day, a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Matthew Hudes is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Volunteers from the EMQ Auxiliary, short for Eastfield Ming Quong, run the store. The group was founded in 1934 to support San Jose’s first orphanage, the Eastfield Home of Benevolence. The Butter Paddle was founded by auxiliary members almost 60 years ago and originally opened in Saratoga in 1967 as the county’s first kitchen store. In 2010, the shop relocated with a focus on selling curated gifts from local and women-owned businesses. Every purchase supports Pacific Clinics, a nonprofit that provides mental health and social services to at-risk children and families in Santa Clara County.
“The Butter Paddle is more than a gift store—it’s been a labor of love, powered by generations of volunteers,” said EMQ Auxiliary President Shirley Frantz in a release. “We’ve watched this community rally around our mission to uplift vulnerable children and families. Every gift sold, every dollar raised helps provide real hope—whether it’s a backpack for a child starting school or critical mental health care for a family in crisis.”
Sip & Shop
J.McLaughlin’s Los Gatos store is hosting a Sip & Shop event on Saturday, Oct. 11, to show off its new fall collection and raise money for a nonprofit aiding cancer patients.
The store will be offering light refreshments for people as they browse the clothing racks. Their fall collection includes knit sweaters, A-line dresses, and wool coats and jackets. Additionally, 10% of all sales will be donated to Cancer CAREpoint to support the services the nonprofit provides to clients and their families.
The event is set for noon-4 p.m. at 17 1/2 N. Santa Cruz Ave.
