Legacy Business Program

Map of San Francisco with icon over each Legacy Business location

Discover San Francisco's iconic, long-standing businesses

Find Legacy Businesses by business type, neighborhood, or business name

Search business directory

Become a Legacy Business

Long-standing small businesses can join the Registry for recognition, marketing and business help, and grants.

Apply to join the Legacy Business Registry.

Check the status of your Legacy Business Registry application.

Resources for Legacy Businesses

Promote being on the Legacy Business Registry.

Apply for a Rent Stabilization Grant.

Become a City Supplier so you can get money from the City. This includes grants and contracts.

See legislation that supports Legacy Businesses.

Visit Legacy Businesses

Find Legacy Businesses by business type, neighborhood, or business name.

Play the Legacy Business Passport promotion. Collect 25 stamps by December 20, 2024, and claim your prize.

Discover perfect Legacy Business days. Pick your neighborhood and experience San Francisco through its Legacy Businesses!

Some Legacy Businesses are compliant Suppliers that can do business with City departments. See the list of Legacy Business City Suppliers.

Benefits to becoming a Legacy Business

Marketing and promotion

Legacy Businesses are added to the Legacy Business Registry website.
Legacy Businesses receive branded certificates, window clings, stickers, and lapel pins.
Select media about Legacy Businesses are included on the Press webpage.
The Office of Small Business may highlight Legacy Businesses on X, Facebook, and/or YouTube. See social media posts at #SFLegacyBiz.
Several neighborhoods are featured in self-guided walking tours: Discover perfect Legacy Business days.
Certain storefront businesses can participate in the Legacy Business Passport.
Heritage Happy Hour occurs on the second Thursday of every month from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at a different Legacy Business.
The Legacy Business Program has an annual Legacy Business Mixer during Small Business Week in May.
Legacy Businesses receive the quarterly newsletter Legacy Business Light. See Office of Small Business News.
Marketing Portal: Promote being on the Legacy Business Registry.

Business assistance

Legacy Businesses can contact the Legacy Business Program for questions or assistance regarding finances, grant applications, legal, marketing, real estate, zoning, succession planning, or other business challenges. We’ll guide you to the right people who can help you.
The Legacy Business Program may advocate for Legacy Business when needed and appropriate.
Being a Legacy Business could provide extra needed attention to your business.

Grants

The Rent Stabilization Grant is an incentive for landlords to provide long-term leases to Legacy Businesses: Apply for a Rent Stabilization Grant.

Legislation

See legislation that supports Legacy Businesses.

More resources for small businesses

Find a grant for your small business

Learn about current grant options for your business.

Vandalism Relief fund

Get a grant of up to $2,000 for vandalism-related costs

Toolkit for Transitioning to Employee Ownership

A guide for Legacy Businesses to the succession strategy of transitioning to employee ownership

Who Should Own Your Business After You?

Employee ownership frequently asked questions, description of sales processes, and key research findings.

Green your business

Make your business better for the environment. Save money, improve employee health, and attract customers.

Get help recruiting employees

Save time and money finding quality workers for your business with personalized, zero-cost recruitment services.

Other Legacy Business Programs in the United States

Legacy Business Passport

Play the Legacy Business Passport promotion. Shop, dine, and experience San Francisco through its Legacy Businesses. Collect 25 stamps by December 20, 2024, and claim your prize! Pick up a passport at any of the participating businesses to get started.

For more information, and to see the list of participating businesses, visit https://www.sf.gov/legacy-business-passport

News and Reports

News

Office of Small Business News

Annual Reports

Departmental reports on program activity and impact metrics

Strategic Marketing Plan

Created for the Office of Small Business by Design Media

Legacy Business Programs: Emerging Directions

Published by the American Planning Association, January 2022

Sustaining San Francisco's Living History

Published by San Francisco Heritage in September 2014

Heritage Happy Hour: Thursday, October 10 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Join us at the Blue Light located at 1979 Union St. for the next Heritage Happy Hour, a monthly “no-host” event for anyone interested in celebrating SF's architectural and cultural identity. Let’s all raise a glass to the Legacy Businesses that keep our city special!

Click here to discover more about the Blue Light

About

The Legacy Business Program is for businesses 30+ years old that add to San Francisco's culture. Legacy Businesses can get marketing help, business support, and grants. It is the first program of its kind in the United States. Contact us at (415) 554-6680 or legacybusiness@sfgov.org.

Businesses of all ages can get help from our Office of Small Business. Monday-Friday, 9am-noon and 1pm-5pm at (415) 554-6134 or sfosb@sfgov.org.