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Historic Preservation Commission backs seven additions to Legacy Business Registry, lauds long‑running neighborhood institutions
Summary
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission unanimously recommended adding seven businesses — including Old Ship Saloon, San Francisco Bay Times, Flowercraft and Lyon Martin Community Health Services — to the Legacy Business Registry, after staff presentations and public support highlighting cultural and neighborhood significance.
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously on April 7, 2021, to recommend that a set of nominated businesses be added to the city’s Legacy Business Registry, a program that recognizes and supports long‑standing community‑serving enterprises.
Planning staff presented seven applications — Old Ship Saloon (298 Pacific Ave), San Francisco Bay Times, Flowercraft Garden Store (550 Bayshore Blvd), Fanta Cleaners, Lyon Martin Community Health Services (1735 Mission St), Finnegan’s Wake (937 Cole St) and Yankee Clipper Travel (4115 19th St) — describing each business’s history, community role and reasons staff recommended registry inclusion. The commission praised the diversity of the nominations and the total tenure they represent.
Public commenters and applicants spoke in favor. Shanti Elise Persaud described Lyon Martin’s role in serving transgender and gender‑diverse patients and urged the commission to preserve the clinic’s legacy. Dan Sarat, owner of Finnegan’s Wake, recounted the establishment’s history in Noe Valley and Coal Valley, calling it “an important piece of the neighborhood.” John Lewis and other speakers described the San Francisco Bay Times as a longstanding community news source that has documented LGBTQ life for decades.
Commissioners emphasized both the cultural value and the pandemic resilience of the nominated businesses. After remarks from commissioners and staff, a motion to recommend approval of items 6A–F was seconded and carried unanimously (7–0). The commission recorded appreciation for the Office of Small Business and planning staff for their work in processing nominations and in developing registry outreach and promotion.
Next steps: The registry recommendations proceed through the City’s administrative process for formal recognition and associated promotional and grant services provided by the Office of Small Business. The Office of Small Business reported ongoing efforts — a new legacy business website, promotional materials and an installation program for bronze plaques for registrants — and flagged near‑term work administering a separate Music and Entertainment Venue Recovery Fund.
