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 July-September 2023 include:
- Adventure Cat Sailing Charters
- Delano Nursery
- The Dubliner
- Ellie and Eva Company
- Enclosures International
- Frascati Restaurant
- The Irish Bank Bar & Restaurant
- Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store Café
- Mitchell’s Ice Cream
- San Francisco Go Club
- Underglass Custom Framing
45 Bronze Plaques Installed on Legacy Business Storefronts
The Office of Small Business is working with Priority Architectural Graphics to manufacture and install 50 15” bronze plaques at Legacy Businesses – 45 have been installed to date! We encourage you to share selfies in front of plaques and post to social media with #SFLegacyBiz!
Note, this was a one-time project with a limited budget. Our office does not have funds for manufacturing plaques for all Legacy Businesses.
Press Highlights
Famed S.F. LGBTQ bar the Stud to reopen at new location
“The Stud, San Francisco’s famed LGBTQ bar, is set to return to the South of Market area in a new location nearly four years after its closure.”
Read the full article in the SF Chronicle
This Outer Sunset Italian Market is Still Keeping the Neighborhood Fed After Almost 70 Years
“Guerra Quality Meats is a local institution — and San Francisco Legacy Business — for good reason”
Read the full article on Eater SF
Legacy Business Blue Danube Serves Up ‘Cups of Good Feelings’
Nestled on the corner of Clement and Fourth Street, the Blue Danube Coffee House beckons people in with its brightly colored paint job and flowering parklet.
Read the full article in the Richmond Review
News and opportunities
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.
Sam Wo Restaurant operators retiring and seeking new family to run the restaurant
Famed Chinatown Legacy Business Sam Wo is seeking a family to operate the restaurant after the Ho family retires. A group of investors are hoping to find a dedicated family to take over and carry on the restaurant’s legacy. Must be bilingual. Learn more about Sam Wo Restaurant at their website, and email inquiries to steven.lee.ventures@gmail.com.
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.
Oct 12, SF Heritage Haas-Lilienthal House, 2007 Franklin St.
Nov 9, Old Ship Saloon, 298 Pacific Ave.
Dec 14, Li Po Cocktail Lounge, 916 Grant Ave.
Resources for Legacy Businesses
Who Should Own Your Business After You?
A booklet to help business owners evaluate employee ownership. It shows how selling to your employees can mean flexibility and fair market value for you, security for your workforce and community, and the deep satisfaction of knowing the people responsible for your company’s success after you have left.
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
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. Here are a few Legacy Business to consider as vendors:
Armstrong Carpet and Linoleum
Established in 1946, Armstrong offers an expansive selection of floor coverings produced by United States manufacturers. Whether you are searching for carpet, area rugs, vinyl, linoleum, tile, laminate, hardwoods, bamboo, or cork; their experienced sales staff is here to assist you in your selection process. They also offer a complete line of window treatments by Hunter Douglas.
Delano Nursery
Delano Nursery is a wholesale indoor plant grower and supplier serving the San Francisco Bay Area and the West Coast since 1922. You can find them at the San Francisco Flower Market or at their Nursery in Daly City. They offer shipping and delivery, rentals, installation, repotting, and retrieval.
Mon Sing Noodle Company
Established since 1932, their famous traditional old-style Shui Mein® and egg noodles date back to the origins of the noodle shop. They specialize in a line of Asian noodles and wrappers and Middle Eastern and Italian pastas, serving wholesalers and restaurants throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
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