The San Francisco City Commission convened on September 17, 2025, to discuss the inclusion of Grafel Coffee Roasting Company in the city's legacy business registry. This meeting highlighted the rich history and cultural significance of the 90-year-old coffee roasting establishment located in the North Beach neighborhood.

Grafel Coffee Roasting Company, founded by Sicilian immigrant Giovanni Grafel in 1935, began as a neighborhood grocery store that included roasted coffee beans among its offerings. After Grafel sold the business to Giovanni Rapetto in 1954, Rapetto's grandson, Luciano Rapetto, continued the family tradition, ensuring that the values and methods of the original Italian-run business were preserved. The company has since become an iconic part of the North Beach community, known for its unique coffee roasting techniques.

Currently situated on Columbus Avenue, Grafel Coffee Roasting utilizes a custom Cyvette's fluid bed roaster, which is central to its philosophy of providing "the world's finest coffee." The staff expressed strong support for the resolution to add Grafel Coffee Roasting to the legacy business registry, emphasizing its importance to the local culture and economy.

During the public comment section, Walter Hawes, co-owner of Grafeo Coffee, also spoke about the establishment's long-standing history and its role in supplying coffee to notable San Francisco restaurants. He highlighted the pioneering fluid bed roasting method that has contributed to their signature coffee blend, which remains a staple for many locals and visitors alike.

The commission's discussions underscored the significance of preserving local businesses that contribute to the city's heritage. The meeting concluded with a recommendation to move forward with the resolution, recognizing Grafel Coffee Roasting Company as a vital part of San Francisco's legacy.