NEWS
Legacy Business Light: Spring 2025
Office of Small BusinessThis is a quarterly forum for news and information, for and about the owners and operators of Legacy Businesses.
New Legacy Businesses
Currently, a total of 450 businesses have been added to the Legacy Business Registry since it started in 2015. Entrants since winter 2025 include:
- Breast Cancer Prevention Partners
- Castro Nail Salon
- Cha Cha Cha
- Chile Lindo*
- City Optix
- Columbus Cafe
- Golden Gate Park Band
- Gregangelo Museum
- Hamano Sushi
- La Victoria SF
- One Union Recording Studios
- Partita Custom Design Jewelry
- Rims & Goggles
- San Francisco Flower Market
- Southern Exposure
- Win Long Hardware & Supply
Congratulations to Chile Lindo for celebrating 30 years in business. They are celebrating on May 24th at 7:30 PM during Memorial Day Weekend and Carnaval with their event, Chile Lindo Kitchen Culture.
Grants for historic small restaurants
Apply by May 30, 2025
The National Trust for Historic Preservation will be awarding $50,000 grants to 50 restaurants across the country through their Backing Historic Small Restaurants Program. These funds can be utilized for exterior preservation projects as well as general operations support.
Grant selection criteria:
- Is a small/independently owned restaurant located in a historic or older building or neighborhood.
- Contributes to the history and/or identity of its surrounding community or neighborhood.
- Tells a story about cuisine and community in America, highlighting historic food traditions and culinary heritage.
- Has a compelling and inspiring historical narrative or cultural significance.
- Has been disproportionately impacted by economic challenges, disasters, or other hardships.
Read the full program details and apply. Email questions to cdanz@savingplaces.org.
Budget cuts proposed for the Legacy Business Program’s Stabilization Grants
San Francisco is facing major budget deficits and the Mayor’s Budget Office has directed City departments to reduce their spending. For the Office of Small Business to meet these targets, we are proposing to reduce the budget for the Legacy Business Program Rent/Business Stabilization Grants. We will continue to award grants, but they may be at a reduced amount. We will confirm funding amounts in August 2025. If you have questions, please reach out to legacybusiness@sfgov.org.
Discount for Legacy Business owners at Couture European Clothing
Couture European Clothing is a Legacy Business with a new location at 424 Sutter St. To celebrate their new space, they invited fellow Legacy Business owners to visit. They are currently offering a 30% discount to Legacy Business owners. Couture European Clothing features fine men’s fashion.
Press Highlights
At 108, the Verdi Club keeps on surviving, whether it’s a $300,000 ramp or surprise burlesque
“Attending one of the Verdi Club’s regular dinner dances is like stumbling into an Art Deco ‘Brigadoon.’…”
Read the full article in Mission Local
Nonprofit running Roxie wants your help to buy theater
“The nonprofit running San Francisco’s Roxie Theater are turning to crowdfunding in an effort to keep the lights on at The City’s oldest-operating moviehouse well into the future…”
Read the full article in the Examiner
Former bartender to resurrect storied SF bar and music venue
“After closing almost exactly two years ago, one of San Francisco’s most cherished bars and music venues is coming back to life with the help of a former bartender…”
Read the full article in SF GATE
Heritage Happy Hours
Heritage Happy Hours offers a casual “no-host” gathering of heritage professionals, young preservationists, aficionados, friends, and Legacy Business cohorts interested in safeguarding San Francisco’s unique architectural and cultural identity.
June 12, 2025: The Stud, 1123 Folsom St.
Celebrate Pride Month at The Stud, San Francisco's oldest LGBTQ bar and one of the world's most famous drag bars. Their iconic institution is the first collectively owned queer bar in the country. Everybody is welcome at The Stud!
Upcoming:
July 10, 2025: California Wine Merchant, 2113 Chestnut St.
August 14, 2025: The Endup, 401 6th St.
September 11, 2025: The Ramp Restaurant, 855 Terry A. Francois Blvd.
Business-to-Business Spotlight on Recording Studios
Earwax Productions is dedicated to creating the most engaging audio experience possible, across all media. They design sound for film, television, the Internet, and radio, as well as audio for tours, installations, toys, and electronics.
Hyde Street Studios is the longest running multi-room recording studio in the Bay Area. Established in 1980 in a facility formerly occupied by Wally Heider Recording from 1969 to 1980, Hyde Street Studios was a hub for the emergence of the punk and hip-hop scenes and has remained a top destination for major recording artists.
One Union Recording Studios is San Francisco’s premier audio post-production facility that delivers audio recording, mixing, and editing for television, radio, and film.
Outpost Studios is a landmark of the San Francisco independent film community. They are a family-owned recording studio that offers affordable postproduction services for all forms of media, including music, podcasts, audiobooks, television shows, and films.
Secret Studios is a professional rehearsal facility. Since 1982, Secret Studios has offered musicians the space they need with quality rehearsal rooms and courteous, professional service.
Legacy Businesses provides goods and services to individuals and fellow businesses. Do you offer a discount to fellow Legacy Businesses and/or have services that you think might be a good fit for a fellow Legacy Business? Email it to legacybusiness@sfgov.org.
Please note, we are sharing businesses for informational purposes, and listing does not constitute endorsement by the Office of Small Business.