Historic Preservation Commission adds five longtime businesses to San Francisco Legacy Business Registry

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously on Sept. 16 to add five long-established local firms and organizations to the City’s Legacy Business Registry.

Planning staff presented nominations for Ambiance, Farley’s, the GLBT Historical Society, San Bruno Supermarket and Valdecol Wine and Spirits and recommended the commission adopt resolutions to recognize and preserve each as a legacy business. After brief public comment from owners and supporters, Commissioner Johns moved to approve the slate and the motion passed 7-0.

The nominations highlighted each business’s history and role in its neighborhood. Planning staff said Ambiance is a multidecade boutique with four city locations and a record of community fundraising. Farley’s was described as a 31-year Potrero Hill coffeehouse that has served as a neighborhood gathering spot since at least the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The GLBT Historical Society was presented as a 35-year nonprofit with archival collections, museum programming and plans for a permanent facility. San Bruno Supermarket was described as a 31‑year, family-operated grocery in the Portola neighborhood carrying culturally specific products. Staff said Valdecol Wine and Spirits has a business address advertised as a liquor store since 1939 and is located in the Cole Valley Historic District; staff recommended safeguarding the store’s name, signage and customer experience.

Owners and supporters spoke in favor of the nominations. Chris Hilliard, co-owner of Farley’s, said, “we really became, to embrace our motto, which became community in a cup,” and asked the commission to preserve the cafe’s community role. Terry Bezwick, executive director of the GLBT Historical Society, said the organization has built a ‘‘formidable collection’’ and urged continued city support as it plans a new permanent facility. John Muscat, property owner of San Bruno Supermarket, described his family’s ownership dating to the 1940s and a new lease that will keep the location a grocery for decades. Kieran O’Leary, co-owner of Ambiance, described the business’s neighborhood presence and community contributions, and Behrouz, owner of Valdecol, submitted an advertisement copy he said dated to 1939 and urged preservation of the store’s character.

The commission placed all five nominations on the regular calendar, heard staff presentations and public comment, and then voted to approve the recommended resolutions, 7-0. The approval means each business will be recognized in the City’s Legacy Business Registry; any features to be protected (name, signage, interior features) will be reflected in the registry nomination and associated recommendations. The commission adjourned after voting and noted an officers’ meeting would follow separately.

Next steps typically include formalizing the resolutions and any preservation measures in an upcoming staff report and adding the businesses to the public Legacy Business Registry maintained by the City.