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Preservation Commission recommends nine longtime San Francisco businesses for legacy registry
Summary
The commission voted unanimously to recommend nine businesses — including City Lights, Sam Wo, Anchor Oyster Bar, Luxor Cab and Cafe International — for the city's legacy business registry, after staff outlined each business' history and many supporters testified at the hearing.
The Preservation Commission on Oct. 19 unanimously recommended approval of nine legacy business applications to the Small Business Commission, endorsing a slate that included Anchor Oyster Bar (579 Castro St.), City Lights Booksellers & Publishers (261 Columbus Ave.), Eros (2051 Market St.), Instituto Familiar de la Raza (2919 Mission St.), Luxor Cab Company (2230 Gerald Ave.), Poppenhausen Hardware (32 West Portal Ave.), Sam Wo (713 Clay St.), St. Francis Fountain (2801 20th St.), and Cafe International (508 Haight St.).
Desiree Smith of the Planning Department told the commission staff found each business met the registry criteria and provided a draft resolution for each nomination. She highlighted the businesses' roles as cultural anchors and noted those at risk of displacement, such as Instituto Familiar de la Raza and Cafe International.
Representatives, owners and longtime patrons spoke in support: Roseanne Grimm (Anchor Oyster Bar) thanked the commission for consideration; Julie Ho recounted Sam Wo's family history and the restaurant's longstanding community role; advocates for Cafe International and Eros described their contributions to neighborhood culture and services. Speakers emphasized that recognition can support small businesses facing rising rents and displacement pressure.
Commissioner Jeong moved to recommend approval of all nine applications; the motion passed on roll call unanimously (4–0). The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the Small Business Commission as part of the legacy business registry process.
