Historic Preservation Commission recommends 10 longtime San Francisco businesses for new Legacy Business Registry

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on Aug. 3 unanimously recommended 10 long‑running local businesses for placement on the city's Legacy Business Registry, a new program intended to recognize and support establishments with historic, cultural or civic significance.

Planning Department staff told commissioners the applications, filed July 8, met the registry criteria and that draft resolutions describing each business's character-defining features were included in the packet. “After review these applications, staff finds that the businesses have met the criteria to qualify for listing on the Legacy Business Registry,” Stephanie Cisneros, Planning Department staff, told the commission.

Owners and representatives described decades of local service and community involvement. Eddie Sabino, speaking for the Brazen Head (3166 Buchanan Street), said, “We've been at that same location for 36 years and would actually like to stay there,” noting late‑night hours and charity work. Brenda Story, executive director of the Mission Neighborhood Health Center (240 Shotwell Street), outlined the health center's 50‑year history serving primarily Latino immigrant communities and said its role has combined direct medical care with community empowerment and training programs.

David Cohen, executive director of the Roxy Theater (3117 Sixteenth Street), described the theater's cultural role and recent financial pressure from landlords, saying the theater negotiated a rent increase last year and that registry recognition and related assistance would “greatly assist us in negotiating a long term lease.” Other nominees included Doc's Clock, Image Conscious, Moby's, Pier 23 Cafe, Ruby's Clay Studio, SF Party and Twin Peaks Auto Care.

Commissioners discussed procedural refinements — suggesting applicants might meet first with the Cultural Heritage Assets Committee and that application packets could use concise templates highlighting each business's distinctive history. After brief discussion and public testimony, the commission moved to adopt staff recommendations for items 8A through 8J; the motion passed unanimously, 6–0.

The commission's recommendation advances each item's place on the Legacy Business Registry process; further administrative steps or final city approvals required to formalize registry listings were not specified during the hearing.