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Historic Preservation Commission approves six legacy San Francisco businesses
Summary
The commission unanimously recommended six longtime local businesses—Legal Assistance to the Elderly, SF Natural Medicine, Annie's Hot Dogs, House of Nanking, JHW Locksmith and The Wok Shop—for the city's Legacy Business Registry, citing community service, cultural significance and staff recommendations.
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to forward recommendations to add six longstanding local enterprises to the city's Legacy Business Registry.
In a staff presentation, Marcel Boudreaux and preservation planner Katie Wilburn described the six nominations: Legal Assistance to the Elderly, a 41-year nonprofit that provides free legal services to seniors and adults with disabilities; SF Natural Medicine, founded by Dr. Carl Hany Bauer in 1989; Annie's Hot Dogs, a mobile-food vendor in operation for more than 37 years; House of Nanking, a celebrated Chinatown restaurant; JHW Locksmith, a 43-year family locksmith business; and The Wok Shop, a nearly 50-year Chinese kitchen-supply store on Grant Avenue. Staff recommended that specific intangible features of each business'—such as LAE's multilingual counseling, Annie's longstanding carts and The Wok Shop's iconic pagoda sign'—be safeguarded in the registry listings.
Owners and community supporters called into the remote meeting to endorse the nominations. Laura Slade Kiara, executive director of Legal Assistance to the Elderly, described a recent surge in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the organization receives roughly 400 calls a week. Supporters of JHW Locksmith and other businesses emphasized neighborhood reliance on the services and the role these businesses play in preserving cultural and neighborhood character.
Commissioners praised the diversity of the slate and highlighted representation from districts underrepresented in the Legacy Business Registry. Commissioner Johns moved the recommendations; the commission approved the motion by roll call vote 7-0. The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the appropriate city agencies for final registry action.
The vote closes an initial step in the registry process; owners endorsed by the commission may receive technical support and recognition intended to help preserve their businesses amid changing market pressures.
The commission placed the matter on the agenda as item 9(a) and recorded the unanimous vote at the hearing.
