Legacy Business Program

Map of SF with a magnifying glass overlayed

Legacy Business Registry

Find over 400 Legacy Businesses. Filter by business type, neighborhood, or business name.Search the business directory

Heritage Happy Hour

These casual "no-host" gatherings are held at a different Legacy Business each month. Find the next event!

Legacy Walks

Pick a neighborhood and experience San Francisco through its Legacy Businesses!

Legacy Business Mixer

Celebrate and network with 400+ Legacy Businesses at the 4th annual Legacy Business Mixer during Small Business Week. Thursday, May 8, 2025. Click here for more details.

First in the nation

San Francisco's Legacy Business Program 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. Now, two dozen cities - and counting - have their own programs: Legacy business programs nationwide.

Resources for Legacy Businesses

Benefits of being a Legacy Business

Long-standing small businesses can receive recognition, marketing and business help, and grants.

Apply to join the Legacy Business Registry

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

Check the status of your Legacy Business Registry application

Promote being on the Legacy Business Registry

Free materials, signs, and how-to guides.

Business Stabilization Grant

Landlords of San Francisco Legacy Businesses may be able to get this grant every year. It is to help Legacy Businesses stay open in San Francisco.

Rent Stabilization Grant

Landlords of San Francisco Legacy Businesses can re-apply every year for their existing Rent Stabilization Grant.

Become a City Supplier

Businesses that are Suppliers can apply for and receive certain grants and contracts with the City.

Legislation that supports Legacy Businesses

Learn about laws designed to help San Francisco's Legacy Businesses.

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.

More resources for small businesses

Free small business counseling from the Office of Small Business

Find a grant for your small business

Learn about current City-run grant options for your business.

Loans and borrowing money for your business

Borrowing money requires repaying over a period of time, usually with interest.

Get help recruiting employees

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

Green your business

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

Bid opportunities

Learn about bid and funding opportunities from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD)

Heritage Happy Hour: Thursday, June 12 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Join us at The Stud located at 1123 Folsom St. for the next Heritage Happy Hour, a casual monthly “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.

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!

Let's raise a glass in appreciation of the Legacy Businesses that make San Francisco truly special.

News and Reports

Legacy Business Light

News about the Legacy Business Program

Annual Reports

Departmental reports on program activity and impact metrics

Sustaining San Francisco's Living History

Published by San Francisco Heritage in September 2014

Legacy Business Programs: Emerging Directions

Published by the American Planning Association, January 2022

For City Employees

Patronize Legacy Businesses

City Departments are encouraged to patronize Legacy Businesses. This is a list of Legacy Businesses that are compliant Suppliers with the City and County of San Francisco and are able to do business with the City.

Our San Francisco Legacy

The Legacy Business Program is an important part of maintaining the city's cultural identity, which helps provide local residents with employment, a sense of place, and community involvement. The best way to support these businesses is to visit them!Interactive map of Legacy Businesses

About

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.

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.

Inclusion on the Registry provides Legacy Businesses with recognition and support as an incentive for them to stay in the community. The program also provides educational and promotional assistance to encourage their continued viability and success in San Francisco.