Our Story

When my family moved to Pacific Grove, I was intrigued by the town’s nickname, “Butterfly Town USA,” and by the depictions of monarch butterflies all over town – from murals on buildings to toys in the downtown shops. I learned that the nickname was due to 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 of monarchs has dwindled drastically over the past decade. In 2022, volunteers counted 16,000 butterflies here in our local sanctuary. By the winter of 2025, there were only a little over 200. Experts worry that the western monarchs might go extinct altogether in another 50 years – the result of pesticides and habitat depletion. 

 

That’s how Monarch was born. 

 

The company combines my love of fashion with my desire to help restore the western monarch butterfly,  and with each sale, 5% of the proceeds will be 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