Our Story
When my family moved to Pacific Grove, I was intrigued by the town’s nickname, “Butterfly Town USA,” and by the images of monarch butterflies all over town – from murals on buildings to toys in downtown shops. I learned that the nickname came from the migration path of the western monarch butterfly, which uses my town as an “overwintering” site for several months each year.
Unfortunately, I also learned that the population has collapsed. In 2022, volunteers counted 16,000 butterflies in our local sanctuary. By the winter of 2025, there were only 200. Experts worry that the western monarchs might go extinct altogether in another 50 years – the result of pesticides and habitat loss.
That’s how Monarch was born.
The company combines my love of fashion with my desire to restore the western monarch butterfly. With each sale, 5% is donated to Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary (operated by the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History).
Thank you for helping, and happy shopping!
– Bennett Paterson, Founder, Monarch Clothing