The Legacy Business Program is part of the San Francisco Office of Small Business. It is the first-of-its-kind program in the United States and is pioneering a new take on government's involvement in maintaining and promoting the small business community.
New Legacy Businesses
Currently, a total of 376 businesses have been added to the Legacy Business Registry since it started in 2015. Entrants from September-December 2023 include:
Press Highlights
San Francisco Burger Joint Loved by Anthony Bourdain Is Expanding
“A longtime San Francisco burger joint is preparing to double down on the neighborhood by bringing a new concept to North Beach.”
Read the full article in the San Francisco Standard
Richmond’s Heroes Club Designated a Legacy Business
“In a shop window on Clement Street between Ninth and 10th avenues, a large blue robot stands guard over the entrance to the Heroes Club…”
Read the full article in the Richmond Review
Chart City Lights Bookstore’s 70 years in San Francisco with this timeline
“City Lights Bookstore has served as a nationally influential gathering place for literature culture...”
View the full interactive timeline at the SF Chronicle
News and opportunities
Are you a “City Supplier”?
We encourage other City departments to patronize Legacy Businesses whenever possible, whether it’s for events or purchasing. To make it easy, we keep an updated list of businesses that are compliant City Suppliers. If your Legacy Business is a Supplier, double check that you are listed here.
If you’re interested in becoming a City Supplier, click here.Joe Goode Performance Group hiring an Executive Director
Joe Goode Performance Group is seeking an Executive Director who will work in collaboration with the Artistic Director and Board of Directors to manage the day-to-day operations of the organization, while simultaneously helping to lead and shape its long-term vision, financial and strategic goals.
Legacy Business Program Experiencing Budget Cuts
The City and County of San Francisco is facing major budget deficits both this and next fiscal years. To balance the budget, the Mayor’s Budget Office has directed City departments to reduce their spending. For the Office of Small Business to meet these targets, some significant budget cuts have been made to the Legacy Business Program. In addition to staffing, the Legacy Business Program’s annual budget typically includes $1 million for grants and $20,400 for programmatic expenses.
Because of previous year savings from the Rent Stabilization Grant, we do not expect these cuts to have an immediate impact to the program. We expect the Rent Stabilization grants to be awarded at their maximum level this fiscal year and likely next fiscal year, too. We will do a thorough analysis of the grant by August 1, 2024, after the 2024-25 budget has been finalized. Additionally, the Office of Small Business does not anticipate any changes to the current staffing of the Legacy Business Program or any major changes to the level of services to existing or prospective Legacy Businesses.
Upcoming Heritage Happy Hours
Heritage Happy Hour
Heritage Happy Hour is a convivial “no-host” gathering of heritage professionals, young preservationists, aficionados, friends, and Legacy Business cohorts interested in preserving San Francisco’s unique architectural and cultural identity. We get together on the Second Thursday of each month from 5-7 pm at a registered Legacy Business bar in San Francisco.
February 8: The Irish Bank Bar and Restaurant, 10 Mark Ln.
March 14: Doc’s Clock, 2417 Mission St.
April 11: The Plough and the Stars, 116 Clement St.
Resources for Legacy Businesses
Get a permit for an existing awning
If your business has an unpermitted, existing awning, follow steps under a time-limited program to help you comply with City requirements. The Awning Amnesty Program features a simplified application and waived fees, and is open through June 30, 2024. Permit Specialists with the Office of Small Business are available to help. Email sfosb@sfgov.org or call 628-652-4949.
Get help with hiring
The Office of Economic & Workforce Development’s Employer Services team is your workforce concierge and can assist your business with promoting jobs, finding local candidates, accessing hiring events, and introductions to workforce community partners. These services are available for bilingual and monolingual employers and employees.
Learn more about hiring services
Business-to-Business Spotlight on Home Improvement
Legacy Businesses provide 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. Here are a few Legacy Business to consider as vendors:
Gilmans Kitchens and Baths
Gilmans Kitchens and Baths is a design+build company offering solutions to all home improvement needs. Gilmans specializes in semi-custom to full custom kitchen cabinetry and services for homeowners, contractors, and independent designers with a 5,000-square-foot showroom.
Teevan Company
Teevan Company is dedicated to maintaining the physical features of the homes and buildings across the city. Their services include painting and historic restoration, maintenance and repair, design and development, custom contracting and remodeling, and complex leak repair and waterproofing.
Lorna Kollmeyer Ornamental Plaster
Lorna Kollmeyer Ornamental Plaster is a complete resource for traditional ornamental plasterwork. Since 1988, architects, designers, contractors, and homeowners have relied on their quality products and services to lend beauty, distinction, and character to their homes and commercial projects.
Perfect Legacy Business Days
ShopDineSF has teamed up with the Legacy Business Program to create a series of self-guided neighborhood experiences, “Perfect Legacy Business Days.” The goal is to encourage residents and visitors alike to experience San Francisco through its Legacy Businesses! New “tours” are added monthly – contact legacybusiness@sfgov.org for questions.
See all the Perfect Legacy Business Days