NEWS

Legacy Business Light: Spring 2026

Office of Small Business

This 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 507 businesses have been added to the Legacy Business Registry since it started in 2015. Entrants since winter 2026 include:

News & Opportunities

Small Business Week 2026

May 4-8, 2026

This annual event will feature dozens of workshops, trainings, and networking events for business owners. The Office of Small Business is hosting several events that could benefit Legacy Businesses:

City Hall Pop-up Shop: Local Makers, Sourced

Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Take in the splendor of City Hall and shop from makers, artisans, and merchants. This pop-up is designed for business needs. Meet local makers and discover unique products for your business. Shop and try products in person.

Welcoming all customers: Accessibility best‑practices for disability‑friendly small businesses

Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm

Creating an inclusive, disability‑friendly business doesn’t have to be expensive or overwhelming. In fact, 28% of Americans have some type of disability* – being an inclusive business is good for your bottom line!

In this dynamic, in-person presentation, small business owners will learn simple, practical, and affordable strategies for welcoming customers with a wide range of disabilities.

Commercial Leasing Essentials

Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 12:00 pm

Learn the key steps, strategies, and terms involved in negotiating a commercial lease. This workshop will help you understand your rights, identify potential pitfalls, and confidently secure a lease that supports your business goals.

5th Annual Legacy Business Mixer

Thursday, May 7, 2026, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

The Legacy Business Mixer is a friendly annual celebration of San Francisco’s over 500 registered Legacy Businesses. It’s also a place for Legacy Business owners to meet, socialize, and network. The event will spotlight host Legacy Business Fior d'Italia, serving Northern Italian cuisine since 1886. They will be providing appetizers, courtesy of the Legacy Business Program.

Promote your business’s summer activities & services for kids & youth

The Office of Small Business is surveying small businesses for those who offer summer activities and services for youth and teens. For example: volunteer/internships for teens, drop-in activities for kids, or youth/teen cooking classes. If you don’t already offer summer youth/teen-friendly opportunities, but would like to, this could be a great trial run. The Office of Small Business will gather and share these opportunities through ShopDineSF to incorporate small businesses in summer planning. Complete the 2-minute survey.

Sign up for opportunities to contract with the City & County of San Francisco

The Office of Small Business and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) regularly release opportunities for businesses and nonprofits to bid on contracts.

Learn about bid and funding opportunities with OEWD

Sign up to an email list announcing new OEWD Requests for Proposals (RFPs)

Press Highlights

People We Meet: Complex characters at Simple Pleasures

“There is, of course, a healthy dose of nostalgia in every cuppa served at Simple Pleasures: for the cafes of Cairo, the maestros of Italy, the beatniks of North Beach. But there is also a real present current sustaining the place, in the form of the people who keep hanging out there …”

Read the full article in Mission Local

As A Pro Baker, This Is Where I Go For The Best Focaccia In San Francisco

“The success lies in the simplicity — toppings include classics like rosemary garlic, black olive, and mushroom, as well as some more modern options like jalapeño and cheese. Each has been perfected throughout the years, with the focus remaining on the tried-and-tested cooking process, rather than the need to follow trends.”

Read the full article in Tasting Table

San Francisco’s Balboa Theatre reveals 100th birthday plans

“We are beyond thrilled to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the venerable Balboa with you all,” CinemaSF Director Adam Bergeron told the Chronicle. “Thanks for 100 years of amazing memories, and here’s to 100 more!”

Read the full article in The San Francisco Chronicle

Events

5th annual Legacy Business Mixer

May 7, 2026: Fior d’Italia, 2237 Mason St.

Part of San Francisco Small Business Week, the annual mixer is a chance to celebrate Legacy Businesses. Hosted by the Office of Small Business.

SF Small Business Summit

May 29: Permit Center, 49 South Van Ness Ave.

A free one-day summit on the strategies, tools and resources for supporting local businesses and strong neighborhood corridors. Hosted by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.

10th Anniversary Legacy Business Exhibition

June 4-August 14, 2026 at the Main Library, 4th Floor

The Legacy Business Program – the first-in-the-nation initiative to honor and promote San Francisco’s long-standing businesses – started 10 years ago this summer. This exhibition features archival photos, artworks, memorabilia, and more from a selection of the over 500 Legacy Businesses in our city. More information coming soon.

Heritage Happy Hour

Heritage Happy Hour is a casual monthly “no-host” event that is a great way to support small businesses and connect with preservation enthusiasts, Legacy Business owners, and other like-minded people who are interested in safeguarding San Francisco’s special places and cultural identity.

June 11, 2026: The Gregangelo Museum, 225 San Leandro Way

July 9, 2026: Kilowatt, 3160 16th St.

August 13, 2026: Chile Lindo, 2943 16th St.

San Francisco Heritage and The Gregangelo Museum

EARTHQUAKE! Shaken, But Standing Strong: An Immersive Historical Experience

April 17 and 18, 2026: The Haas-Lilienthal House, 2007 Franklin St.

Experience the great 1906 earthquake like you were there. Step into a Victorian time capsule as two Legacy Businesses, San Francisco Heritage and The Gregangelo Museum, unite for an immersive journey.

Cartoon Art Museum

Opening reception of 'Feo the Chupacabra'

April 18, 2026: Cartoon Art Museum, 781 Beach St.

The opening reception of 'Feo the Chupacabra' features art from the debut graphic novel by Pixar animators Sequoia Blankenship and Rob Thompson.

Treasure Island Yacht Club

60th Anniversary and Legacy Status Celebration

April 19, 2026: Mersea Restaurant, 699 Avenue of the Palms

Treasure Island Yacht Club invites you to their "60th Anniversary and Legacy Status Celebration.” Hearty appetizers will be served.

Joe Goode Performance Group

GUSH Dance Festival 2026

April 23-26, 2026: Joe Goode Annex, 401 Alabama St.

As they celebrate their 40th year, Joe Goode Performance Group is proud to present the GUSH Dance Festival. For this fourth iteration of the festival, Joe Goode gathers long-time artistic collaborators whose creative relationships span more than three decades.

BAVC Media

50th Anniversary Gala

May 20, 2026: SOMArts, 934 Brannan St

BAVC Media is celebrating 50 years of opening doors, disrupting narratives, and building media making careers! The evening will include a cocktail reception, sit-down dinner, dynamic program featuring special guests, highlights from programs, and a look back at BAVC’s past throughout the evening.

Business-to-Business Spotlight on Jewelry

Jewelry Collection

Jewelry Collection is a family owned and operated business that sells exceptional jewelry at the best prices, including high jewelry, fine jewelry, and engagement and bridal jewelry.

Lang Antique & Estate Jewelry

Since 1969 when Mrs. Jarmilla Lang opened the shop, Lang Antique & Estate Jewelry has become a landmark in the Union Square shopping district.

Latin Jewelers

Latin Jewelers celebrates Latino culture and helps keep customs and traditions alive. We sell specialty gifts for Christenings, first communions, quinceañeras, and other life celebrations.

Long Boat Jewelry

Located in the heart of Chinatown since 1981, Long Boat Jewelry is known for its unique and beautiful jewelry.

Macchiarini Creative Design

Macchiarini Creative Design is a family-owned business started in 1948 spanning three generations. We offer the highest quality hand-crafted jewelry and metal art work.

Miseki Jewelry

At Miseki Jewelry, a Japanese-owned business in San Francisco’s Japantown since 1967. They specialize in Japanese Akoya pearls.

Partita Custom Design Jewelry

This family owned and operated business provides decades of experience in the styling and fabrication of jewelry.

Yadav Diamonds and Jewelry

Yadav Diamonds and Jewelry is a family-run diamond and jewelry business founded in 1983. We carry a large selection of high-quality, affordable, ethical diamonds.