Just in time for January, 1, 2026, Blue Rooster Art Supplies’ Pasadena California’s newest employee/shop cat, Lizard Bennet, is getting ready for New Year’s Day with a “bird’s eye view of the 137th Annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.
Lizard Bennet is no alley cat, but the 3 1/2 year-old tortoiseshell feline that takes up residence at the art supply store, located right on the parade route at 1254 Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. Lizard, who was adopted by the store owner from a local shelter, was named after Elizabeth Bennet, the witty, intelligent and independent protagonist of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice.
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Lizard Bennet, Blue Rooster Art Supplies In Pasadena Four-Legged Team Member
The friendly cat will have a “purr-fect” view of the legendary parade as the 5 1/2 mile procession will pass by the window of the shop on Colorado Boulevard where she lives. Like others, she will not have to worry about paying for an expensive bleacher seat, as her comfortable cat bed is proudly perched in the middle of a big bay window in the shop, not only on New Year’s Day, but 365 days a year, seven days a week.
According to General Manager Raisa Yavneh of Blue Rooster Art Supplies, she, and shop employees are excited to salute the 137th Annual Tournament of Roses theme “The Magic in Teamwork.”
Lizard Bennet with her Lizard Bennet Keychain
“We pride ourselves on not just being a store, but a resource. Both novice and accomplished artists of all skill levels can take classes and workshops and dive into details of a medium or can chat and brainstorm with one of our experienced store associates about their artistic aspirations. We are all artists, too, and we’re passionate about connecting with our community whether be at the store, local markets, festivals or art events.” says Founder/Owner Nick Gallo.
In addition to a fine selection of arts supplies, the shop sells a “Lizard line” of merchandise, designed by the store’s own employees (t-shirts, tote bags, magnets, stickers, coloring books and keychains) ranging in price from a $3.00 for the Lizard sticker to $28.99 for Lizard keychain, with the latter, specially designed by local San Gabriel artist Isa Bennington. For those customers, who purchase a Gentle Thrills x Blue Rooster Lizard keychain throughout the month of January 2026, 20 percent of the sales will be will donated to the local humane society.
About Blue Rooster Art Supplies:
Blue Rooster Art Supplies, located in East Pasadena, California, is an independent art supply store that has been in business for four years, following the first opening of its first store located in Los Angeles. Founder/Owner Nick Gallo has built the specialty business from the ground up and with the desire to be a nexus point for the art community of Los Angeles County.
“We work hard to offer a good mixture of retail space, workshops, a custom wood shop, and a welcoming environment for artists and makers of all types. Our store’s stock is a melting pot of hand-curated art materials with the considerations of quality, value, uniqueness, and encourage the recommendations of customers who shop with us. Our workshops are planned out in detail and organized by the staff themselves based on interactions they have in the store,” said Gallo.
For more information about the Blue Rooster Art Supplies, visit https://blueroosterart.com/, email the store at blue@blueroosterart.com, call (626) 365-1202, and visit the shop to visit with LIzard at 1254 East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California 91106.
Blue Rooster Art Supplies in Pasadena, California is open 10 AM – 6 PM seven days week, but will be closed on both New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025 and New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026.
