by Mary Pope-Handy | Jun 18, 2026 | Los Gatos Businesses
Just Write Arts is a fun and creativity inspiring place to visit. If you’re in downtown Los Gatos and have a few minutes to spare, treat yourself to a visit!

The store has a generous selection of greeting cards and various types of stationary and note cards for keeping in touch as well as unique gift items.

Just Write Arts advertises that they offer wrapping paper, journals, and sketch books. While there I found a fun crossover between greeting cards and art project: Paintable Watercolor Notecards.

When I visited with my friend, Susan was working there and helped me with information on my purchase (directing me to a free online tutorial on water color paint techniques).

Just Write Arts is located at 322 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030 (close to Beyond Text Bookstore and Pedro’s)
And their phone number is (408) 402-5413
You can visit them and shop online, too: https://www.justwritearts.com/
by Clair Handy, Mary Pope-Handy | May 1, 2026 | Downtown Los Gatos, Events, Food & Drink, LG Lifestyle, Los Gatos Art & Entertainment, Los Gatos Events
If you enjoyed The Promenade of previous years, check out the newest event in town!
This year the Town of Los Gatos adopted a new ordinance to establish an Entertainment Zone, and your first opportunity to enjoy it is at the first ever GOLD Thursday on May 7, 2026!
The Entertainment Zone allows businesses operating in the C-2 Downtown Zone with appropriate permits to sell alcohol to patrons who may carry their beverage out within the Entertainment Zone during Town approved and permitted Special Events. So 21+ adults can grab a sip and wander the event to enjoy shopping, dining, music and more!
GOLD Thursday
GOLD Thursday (#GOLDThursday) is the latest addition to the lineup of summer entertainment here in beautiful Los Gatos, and will continue on the first Thursday of the month from now through October. In addition to extended hours and Entertainment Zone drinks, there will be live music and entertainment and special promotions.
Event-specific offers, as well as year-round promotions, can be accessed through the Los Gatos Perks Pass on your phone, no app required.
The Chamber of Commerce calendar details state the event runs from noon to 10pm, but some businesses may offer all-day perks. Live music and entertainment are scheduled from 5pm to 8pm. See you there!
by Mary Pope-Handy | May 14, 2024 | Los Gatos Businesses
The Beyond Text bookstore has opened in downtown Los Gatos! This newly launched, independent bookstore is very bright and wonderfully laid out. If you haven’t been, plan to visit it soon, you will be delighted that you did!

Beyond Text has a creative, welcoming feel from the moment you step inside. It reaches out to all ages, with children’s books being impossible to miss. The books themselves include a wide variety with classics, beautifully illustrated pieces, and new releases included among the offerings.
There’s tons of natural light, but also cozy (and still bright) nooks for reading and exploring. The books and other merchandise are creatively presented.

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by Mary Pope-Handy | Nov 17, 2023 | Food & Drink, Dining
On Monday, Jim and picked up sandwiches at the American Italian Deli for lunch. The day was nice, but was about to change, so we wanted to have our outdoor lunch before the weather made that less appealing. We really appreciate patio dining options!

American Italian Deli – nice outside dining space as well as some indoor seating
The American Italian Deli has a good sized patio, and some tables include umbrellas. The area does not feel crowded, and it’s fairly quiet as it faces a parking lot rather than North Santa Cruz Avenue. (People watching not as interesting, but the quiet and lack of car fumes was great.)
Instead of music, the the audio featured a talk-radio news station. That made it more difficult to chat during our meal, and was distracting with war stories and politics going in the background.
Bar style seating on stools as well as some table seating was provided indoors and, as mentioned, there were plenty of seats outside, too.
I should add that this eatery was spotless – absolutely pristine – when we were there.
Location bonus: it’s right next door to the newly opened Domus (which had been closed, and missed, for more than a decade).

by Mary Pope-Handy | Apr 29, 2023 | Events, Downtown Los Gatos
The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a pre-Mother’s Day special event, the Spring Fashion Show & Brunch, on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Palms.
Spring Fashion Show Details:
Showcased will be the offerings of downtown Los Gatos merchants.
Buffet Brunch of quiche, salad & dessert, unlimited mimosas & soft drinks. No host bar.
Tickets are $85 each or $340 for a table of 4. Learn more or purchase tickets online at the Chamber’s page for this fun event.

Related Reading
Los Gatos Free Music Concert Series
List of Los Gatos neighborhoods (links to articles for many parts of town)