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Historic Preservation Commission approves five businesses for Legacy Business Registry
Summary
On Dec. 2, 2020, the San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted to add five long-running local businesses — Bimbo's 365 Club, Marcela's Pizza, Surfaces by David Bonk, Giorgio's Pizzeria and Japan Video and Media — to the city's Legacy Business Registry after staff presentations and public comment.
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted Dec. 2, 2020, to forward five nominations to the Legacy Business Registry, approving recommendations from planning staff after brief presentations and public comment.
Planning staff described each nomination and recommended the commission add the businesses to the Registry to recognize their cultural and neighborhood significance. Katie Wilbourn and Elton Wu summarized the histories and community roles of Bimbo's 365 Club (1025 Columbus Ave.), Marcela's Pizza (Castro District), Surfaces by David Bonk, Giorgio's Pizzeria (Clement Street) and Japan Video and Media (Post Street, Japan Center West Mall).
Takeshi Onishi, who identified himself as the founder of Japan Video and Media, told the commission he opened the store in September 1984 and has prioritized introducing Japanese culture to American audiences. "In September 1984, I opened the Japan video with a strong conviction of a promising future for the video business," Onishi said during public comment, describing annual events he organized, including an anime costume parade that began in 1999 and donations to local cultural festivals.
Steve Nakajo, executive director of the Japan Talent Task Force and a member of the San Francisco Fire Commission, urged commissioners to support Onishi's nomination, citing Onishi's long-standing contributions to the Japantown community. Tony Markwick of Giorgio's Pizzeria likewise described his family's restaurant as a multigenerational neighborhood business and thanked the commission for the consideration.
Commissioners voiced support for the nominations during deliberations, frequently noting the businesses' community contributions and the hardships small businesses are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Johns moved to forward the applications for approval; the motion was seconded and recorded as adopted following roll-call votes. The commission recorded a separate vote to adopt the Japan Video and Media recommendation after Commissioner Matsuda recused herself from discussion on the Post Street property; that motion was recorded as passing unanimously 6 to 0.
The commission also adopted draft minutes from the Nov. 18, 2020 hearing earlier in the meeting. Commissioners closed deliberations after recording votes on the five legacy business nominations and adjourned the hearing.
Actions taken
- Adopted draft minutes for Nov. 18, 2020 (motion passed, recorded as 7 to 0). - Recusal: Motion to recuse Commissioner Matsuda from the Post Street (Japan Video) application was made and seconded; commissioners were instructed that Matsuda has 10 days to file with the Ethics Commission regarding the recusal. - Approved recommendation to add Japan Video and Media to the Legacy Business Registry (motion recorded as passing unanimously 6 to 0 with Matsuda recused from deliberation). - Approved recommendations to forward Bimbo's 365 Club, Marcela's Pizza, Surfaces by David Bonk and Giorgio's Pizzeria for inclusion in the Legacy Business Registry (motion moved by Commissioner Johns and seconded; roll-call yes votes were recorded).
