Historic preservation commission adds four businesses to San Francisco legacy registry

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to recommend that four long-standing city businesses be added to the Legacy Business Registry.

In a single motion, commissioners approved staff recommendations for Cha Cha Cha (1801 Haight St.), the Golden Gate Park Band, City Optics (Marina/Cow Hollow) and the San Francisco Flower Market (now at 901 16th St.). Planning staff presented historical context for each applicant and recommended a resolution forwarding the businesses for registry listing.

The item drew brief public comment from business representatives and community advocates. "Cha Cha Cha has been more than just a restaurant. It's a gathering place, a community cornerstone, and a living symbol of our city's vibrant diversity and creativity," said Onur Ozkainek, the restaurant's owner, during public comment. Planning staff summarized Cha Cha Cha's history, noting it was founded in 1984 and has had long-term community ties. Heather Samuels, planning staff, told commissioners the department supported the four applications and recommended a resolution to add each to the Legacy Business Registry.

Woody Labounty, president and CEO of San Francisco Heritage, told the commission the legacy-business program is "an economic engine" for the city and urged continued funding for the program in future budgets. Speakers representing Cha Cha Cha and the Flower Market provided historical documentation and photographs at the hearing.

The commission's vote confirmed staff's recommendation. The motion to adopt the recommendations for all four legacy business registry applications passed unanimously, 6 to 0. The items and case numbers presented by staff were: 2024-011131 LBR (Cha Cha Cha, 1801 Haight Street), 2024-011132 LBR (Golden Gate Park Band), 2024-011429 LBR (City Optics, Marina/Cow Hollow), and 2024-01113 LBR / 901 16th Street for the San Francisco Flower Market (as presented during the hearing). The commission moved the items forward to the next step of the city process by adopting the staff resolution as written.

Commission members praised the businesses for their longevity and noted the registry can offer benefits such as recognition and access to program support. The department indicated submitted archival materials will be preserved as part of the public record and can be used for future research on legacy businesses.

The commission's action was procedural (a resolution forwarding the applications). No additional conditions or amendments were recorded at the meeting. Follow-up materials and the adopted resolution will be filed with the planning department record for each legacy-business application.