San Francisco panel unanimously approves nine businesses for Legacy Business Registry
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Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved nine businesses for San Francisco’s Legacy Business Registry, including longtime neighborhood restaurants, bookstores and cultural institutions. Staff recommended the additions and speakers emphasized preservation, community identity and risks of displacement.
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to add nine businesses to the city’s Legacy Business Registry after staff presentations and public comment on the enterprises’ community roles and histories.
Planning staff described each nomination and recommended approval. The businesses recommended for designation included a Mission District performance venue and restaurant presented by Wesley Wong; Christopher’s Books in Potrero Hill; The Flytrap and The Grama (a waterfront restaurant) presented by Maggie Dong; Lianying Tai Chi Chuan Academy in Chinatown; Rocco’s Cafe and Java Beach Cafe; Gallery 444 in Union Square; and El Faro (Alfaro) on Folsom Street. Staff emphasized longevity, neighborhood ties and contributions such as community events, youth internships and cultural programming.
Supporters told the commission that registry status can help protect businesses from displacement and may assist in securing longer-term leases. Woody Labonte, president and CEO of San Francisco Heritage, spoke in support of the nominations and singled out El Faro, noting the restaurant was on a month-to-month lease arrangement and could particularly benefit from long-term protections. Christopher’s Books owner T. Minot described the store’s 33-year presence and community role; an employee, Jackson, described the bookstore as a valuable “third place” for residents.
Commissioners praised the breadth of applicants and urged residents to support legacy businesses by patronizing them. After brief commissioner remarks, Chair called the motion to approve all nine nominations; the roll-call vote was 7–0 in favor.
The commission’s action places the nine businesses on the Legacy Business Registry, a designation planning staff said can support continuity and access to resources for nominated establishments. The commission classified the matter as a consent action and took no separate hearings on individual items because none were removed from the consent calendar.
