Historic Preservation Commission adds three longtime businesses to Legacy Business Registry

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously on May 15, 2019, to place three long‑standing businesses on the city's Legacy Business Registry.

Staff recommended and commissioners approved nominations for Distractions, a retail counterculture shop at 1552 Haight Street founded by James Siegel; Scarpelli & Associates Physical Therapy at 4200 18th Street, founded by Elizabeth Scarpelli; and Veritable Vegetable at 1100 Cesar Chavez Street, a wholesale organic produce distributor. Commissioners said each business contributes to the character and cultural life of its neighborhood.

“The Haight Ashbury has been part of my life since 1972,” said Jim Siegel, owner of Distractions, testifying in support of his nomination and asking the commission to honor the store’s community role. Nicole Mason, director of community engagement at Veritable Vegetable, told the commission the company employs more than 120 people, operates a near‑zero emission delivery fleet and a solar array that offsets about a quarter of its energy use, and donates produce weekly to 10 San Francisco Unified School District schools.

Staff outlined the features the commission would safeguard if the nominations were accepted: Distractions’ rotating storefront murals and Edwardian exterior details; Scarpelli & Associates’ long practice, mentoring program and interior features tied to its therapeutic work; and Veritable Vegetable’s distinctive warehouse façade, fleet design, and history supporting organic agriculture.

Commissioners praised the businesses’ histories and local contributions and moved to adopt staff recommendations. The motion passed unanimously, 6–0, placing the three properties on the Legacy Business Registry.

Next steps: the registry placement is administrative; any changes to protected features would continue to follow existing permitting and landmark review processes.