Thursday, February 8, 2024

Dear Friends and Members of the Chamber,

There are numerous reasons to come together and celebrate this February, including Lunar New Year and Black History Month to Valentine’s Day, the Superbowl, Presidents' Day, and Mardi Gras. This month we also get a bonus day on February 29th, thanks to 2024 being a Leap Year. May I suggest using your extra day to do something nice for someone dear to you or for yourself?

On the note of giving some love. . . tonight the Chamber is hosting a family-friendly Sweetheart Stroll in Downtown Los Gatos, with almost 30 participating merchants who will be open late from 5-8pm. Come out under the clear skies to enjoy this Valentine’s themed night, complete with complimentary refreshments, fun promotions, and discounts! This is a perfect time to spoil the sweeties in your life.

Calling all local artists! Submit your original art design to be considered for the Chamber’s latest series of street pole banners. There is a cash prize for the selected artist(s). Scroll down the newsletter for more information or click here to view the official Call for Submission.

Last week the Chamber launched its first formal Youth Internship Program in partnership with the Los Gatos High School Home and School Club. This work-based learning initiative offers 12 enterprising teens the opportunity to engage directly with business members, town leaders, and members of the community for an entire semester. Interns will primarily provide front office support and assist with marketing and communications projects. They will build their resumes while supporting our town's economic vitality. I am proud to provide our community’s teens an opportunity to gain meaningful work experience, and I’d like to encourage local businesses to do the same. Please contact me if you are interested in offering youth internships. 

We are finalizing the Chamber’s Business Sponsorship Opportunities for our 2024 programs and events, which include: the Spring and Fall Wine Walks, the Los Gatos Loyal program, the Kid + Pet Halloween PAW-Looza, and our Winter Holiday Program. We have exciting new sponsorship opportunities this year. Sponsorship allows you to promote your business in a highly visible way and demonstrate your commitment to our community. Please email me if you are interested in receiving the Sponsorship Opportunities.

The California Primary Election is almost upon us. Keep an eye out for your ballot arriving in the mail soon. Make your voice heard by voting in critical races such as President of the United States, United States Senate, and more before March 5th. For an objective, non-partisan source of election and candidate information managed by the National League of Women Voters, click here.

In closing. I’d like to wish each of you “sin-nî-khuài-lok,” which is Taiwanese for “Happy Lunar New Year (February 10)!” This Lunar New Year is particularly auspicious, as it is the Year of the Dragon. The Dragon is the most extraordinary and powerful of the 12 signs. May your Dragon Year be filled with unprecedented opportunity and luck!

Warmly,

Jennifer Lin

Executive Director

Tonight: Downtown Sweetheart Stroll

When: Tonight, February 8th 5:00 - 8:00PM

Where: N. Santa Cruz, Main St, University Ave

Join the Downtown Merchants for the Los Gatos Sweetheart Stroll. Bring your significant other, kids, and friends to enjoy a family-friendly Valentine's themed evening. Participating downtown Los Gatos merchants will offer promotions, refreshments, and will be open late.

Read More - Participating Businesses

Ribbon Cutting

Grand Opening

When: Thursday, February 15, 5:00 - 6:00PM

Where: Breaking Dawn Restaurant

160 W Main Street (old Blue Line Pizza building)

Join us for a Ribbon Cutting as we welcome Oishi Mirai Restaurant Group to Los Gatos. Mayor Badame will cut the ribbon at 5pm. Enjoy the festivities, and celebrate the year of the Dragon with delicious food and good company.  

Located on Main Street, the Oishi Mirai Restaurant Group is proud to launch two concepts. The first, Breaking Dawn a morning brunch concept and the second, coming this summer, First Born, which will offer dinner, full bar and live music nightly. Breaking Dawn's soft opening launch will begin February 16.

SAVE TO CALENDAR

Joint Chamber Speed Networking Mixer with

Campbell Chamber of Commerce

When: Thursday, March 7, 5:30 - 7:30PM

Where: TBD

Mark your calendars for a speed mixer with the Los Gatos chamber.

The upbeat speed mixer format will ensure you meet the most amount of people possible, making new connections and possibly power partners or new clients. More details coming soon!

Downtown Merchant Group Meeting

When: Tuesday, February 27, 6:30-8:00PM

Where: Los Gatos Chamber Office - 10 Station Way

RSVP: jennifer@losgatoschamber.com

If you are a downtown merchant, your voice is important!  Are you a retailer on N. Santa Cruz Ave., Main St., or University Ave.? This meeting is to brainstorm ideas to boost retail foot traffic in 2024, discuss the Los Gatos Loyal year round promotions card launching mid spring, review the potential of community events to boost the vitality of the downtown, and share ideas to combat summer beach traffic. 

The Chamber’s vision for this group is to meet regularly, network, support one another, and to organize events that you want to see in town ie. shopping nights and fashion shows. 

To RSVP for the meeting or if you’d like to participate in the group, please email Jennifer Lin at jennifer@losgatoschamber.

Los Gatos Food and Wine Group Business Meeting



When: Wednesday, February 28, 2:00 - 4:00PM

Where: Los Gatos Chamber Office, 10 Station Way

RSVP: alex@aioapp.com

LGFW is in the planning stages of an exciting downtown summer event series focused on food, drink and live entertainment for the whole family.

If you have a business related to food, wine, beer or hospitality and would like to see an event like Eat/Drink Los Gatos return in 2024, we need critical mass to make it happen. To be a part of LGFW, Chamber membership is highly encouraged (some benefits will be accessible only by Chamber members) but it is not required.

To participate, please email our LGFW Chair, Alex Hult, alex@aioapp.com

Los Gatos Spring Wine Walk - Now Accepting Pouring Locations and Wineries!

When: Saturday, April 20, 1:00 - 4:00PM

Where: Downtown Los Gatos

Planning has begun for the 2024 Spring Wine Walk! This event is traditionally sold-out with over 1,200 attendees, 30 wineries, and 30 participating local businesses. This year we have exciting surprises in store - new sponsorship & marketing opportunities, exclusive VIP experiences and much more!

Winery / Beverage Application

Pouring Location: Downtown Merchant Application

Pouring Location: Restaurant Application



Interested in Sponsorship? Email jennifer@losgatoschamber.com

Los Gatos - Saratoga Recreation

LGS Recreation Summer 2024 programs and activity guide will be available on 2/9. Visit one our offices for a free copy! https://www.lgsrecreation.org

-------------

We love sharing Chamber Members' news! Please use this form to tell us about the latest happenings at your business.

Newsletter Submission Form

The Chamber is seeking Los Gatos artists to submit artwork designs for a new series of street pole banners for Los Gatos.

The theme is "You Belong in Los Gatos." Submit your original design by Thursday, February 29, 4:00PM.

In addition to the incredible exposure, a cash prize will be awarded to the selected artist(s).

Click here to view the official Call for Submission.

Business Resources

Happy Dragon

February 3-17

Los Gatos Lions Club

February 10

Plant Based Advocates

February 12

Los Gatos Toastmasters

February 13

Valley Transportation Authority

February 15

Chamber Newsletter



The Chamber is streamlining the submission process for member news or event digital flyers. Please use this form to tell us what's happening. Digital Flyers will run for up to 2 two issues.

The newsletter is sent each week on Thursday; submissions must be received by noon the day before.

Newsletter Submission Form

Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce

10 Station Way, Los Gatos, CA 95030