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Carmen’s SB40 restaurant recommended for San Francisco legacy-business registry
Summary
The commission recommended designation of Carmen’s SB40 restaurant as a legacy business and heard a broader update on the Legacy Business Program, including application bottlenecks, outreach needs, and grant distribution (about $400,000 to date to designated businesses).
Desiree Smith, planning department staff, presented a case for designating Carmen’s SB40 restaurant as a legacy business, noting the establishment was founded in 1957 by "17 year old Filipino immigrant, Carmen Solis" and has served Filipino and American fare in San Francisco for 60 years. Staff concluded Carmen’s met the SB40 criteria and recommended the commission forward the nomination.
A motion to recommend approval passed unanimously, 7–0. Commissioners praised the application and asked staff to provide additional materials in future nominations (menus, photographs) to better convey cultural and culinary significance.
Planning staff then gave a broader informational update on the Legacy Business Program. Stephanie Cisneros summarized the program’s history (registry established by ordinance in March 2015; Proposition J set up a preservation fund) and administrative flow: nominations require a supervisor or mayoral letter; the Office of Small Business helps applicants and the Planning Department reviews and prepares the HPC case report.
Staff supplied program metrics: since the initial round of applications in July 2016 through February 2017, 159 businesses have been nominated; 70 nominations are awaiting applications at the Office of Small Business and 10 applications were under Planning Department review at the time of the presentation. The Office of Small Business reported roughly 70 businesses on its registry website; staff said 51 designated legacy businesses had applied for and been approved for business assistance grants, with grant distributions approximating $400,000 to date.
Richard Carrillo, Legacy Business Program Manager in the Office of Small Business, described the application-review process and assistance partners such as the nonprofit Working Solutions. "There's definitely some criteria that they need to meet. They need to be 30 years or older with no break in operations," Carrillo said. On grant amounts he said: "The minimum is 500, which is 1 FTE. The maximum is 50,000, which is 100 FTEs." He also noted the office is automating processes and working through a backlog of applications.
Commissioners urged improved outreach, translation of materials, more public recognition for designated businesses, and marketing support through an RFP to be issued in the spring.
Votes at a glance: Carmen’s SB40 restaurant (Case 2017-0806LBR) — commission recommended approval, unanimous 7–0.
