PRESS RELEASE
San Francisco's Legacy Business Registry Welcomes 500th Business
Office of Small BusinessThe milestone takes place during the 10th anniversary year of the nation’s first program to acknowledge longstanding businesses.
On Monday, February 23rd the San Francisco Small Business Commission unanimously approved 12 businesses to the city’s Registry of longstanding, community-serving, and culturally vital businesses.
Joining the Legacy Business Registry serves as recognition of the positive contribution each business has made—and continues to make—on its customers, neighborhood, and the City at large. The program also provides educational and promotional assistance to encourage their continued viability and success. The Legacy Business Stabilization Grant program acts as a financial incentivize for property owners to provide long-term leases to the businesses; stability that can be critical for a business’s continued longevity.
“San Francisco’s small businesses are what make our neighborhoods special. Reaching 500 Legacy Businesses is a testament to our business owners who dedicate every day to serving their communities,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “From corner stores to barber shops to iconic restaurants and theaters, I am proud of our legacy business community and my administration will continue supporting them through PermitSF and more.”
Santa Clara Organic Market: San Francisco’s 500th Legacy Business
Nominated to the Registry by District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, Santa Clara Organic Market has been an essential part of the Lower Haight since 1990. The business is owned by Syrian immigrant Louai Atieh and Syrian-American Mahana Askandafi.
It is a classic San Francisco corner store, providing residents a destination for fresh and organic produce with strong emphasis on organic and sustainable products.
“The Commission is excited to be honoring this new batch of Legacy Businesses, including the 500th to join the Registry, Santa Clara Organic Market,” said Small Business Commissioner Miriam Zouzounis. “As part of the Arab American Grocers Association, I know the unique challenges these corner stores face as well as the value they add to everyday life in San Francisco. I couldn’t be happier to welcome Louai and Mahana’s shop to the Registry.”
“We feel very proud to be a Legacy Business. Our shop has been here 36 years!” says Louai Atieh, co-owner of Santa Clara Organic Market. “We could not do this without our loyal customers, the families who come every day. This recognition gives us energy to keep serving our neighbors for many more years!”
Legacy Businesses added to the Registry on February 23rd also include:
2781 24th St.
Brava! for Women in the Arts is a non‑profit arts organization located in San Francisco’s Mission District on the Calle 24 corridor. It provides a broad spectrum of arts and cultural offerings: performance, education and training for youth and emerging artists, fiscal sponsorship of community arts organizations, and affordable facilities for rentals and presentations.
5145 Mission St.
Bravo Pizza has been a staple in Excelsior since 1974. The restaurant provides a warm, kid friendly environment where customers can enjoy classic San Francisco pizza and Italian specialties.
12 Gough St., #300
Casa Hispana is a Spanish language school and professional translation and interpreting service based in San Francisco. It teaches Spanish as a second language to adults and high school students, offering both in-person and online instruction.
1000 Divisadero St.
Chicago II Barbershop is a barbershop located in the Western Addition / Fillmore. It is one of the key community hubs in San Francisco. They provide professional haircuts, shaves, ear cleaning, and facials. It continues a legacy of Black-owned “Chicago” barbershops that dates to 1953.
345 California St., Suite 160
The business started in 1869 when the transcontinental railroad first stretched across America. Fugazi Travel Agency, Inc. helped immigrants transport their families and lives to settle in San Francisco. Modern-day explorers continue to entrust Fugazi Travel with their travel experiences.
3546 19th St.
Ike’s Electric, Inc. is a licensed electrical contracting company based in San Francisco. It has been providing electrical services since 1977.
755 Pennsylvania Ave.
Incredible Adventures is a family-owned business that specializes in providing small group tours from San Francisco to various destinations within the greater Bay Area, including iconic locations like the Sierra Nevada mountains and Yosemite National Park.
2420 Mission St.
Jim’s Restaurant is a longstanding diner located in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District. It serves classic American diner fare with a distinctive Latino twist, offering a menu that blends traditional comfort food with culturally rooted dishes.
820 Ulloa St.
Submarine Center has been serving gourmet submarine-style sandwiches to friends and visitors in West Portal and greater San Francisco since 1981.
590 Washington St.
Tricolore is a restaurant/café as well as a pizzeria. Founders sought to create an intimate space the looked and felt like dining outside in southern Italy – as though you’ve stepped into an Italian village.
1326 Church St.
Located in Noe Valley in the heart of San Francisco, Valley Chiropractic SF, Inc. provides gentle adjustments, personalized treatment plans, and compassionate chiropractic care for the entire family from infants to seniors.
About the Legacy Business Registry
A Legacy Business is a for-profit or nonprofit business that has operated in San Francisco for 30 or more years. The business must contribute to the neighborhood's history and/or the identity of a particular neighborhood or community, and it must commit to maintaining the physical features or traditions that define the business, including craft, culinary or art forms. If a business has operated in San Francisco for more than 20 years but less than 30 years, it may still be included in the Registry if the business otherwise faces a significant risk of displacement.
The registration process for the Legacy Business Program includes nomination by Mayor Daniel Lurie or a member of the Board of Supervisors, a written application, an advisory recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission, and approval of the Small Business Commission.
The Legacy Business Program is managed through the Office of Small Business. For more information about the Legacy Business Program, including a list and map of businesses on the Legacy Business Registry, visit SF.gov/LegacyBusiness.