Historic Preservation Commission adds four businesses to Legacy Business Registry

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously Jan. 15 to recommend four local institutions — Cha Cha Cha (Haight Street), the Golden Gate Park Band, City Optics and the San Francisco Flower Market — for inclusion on the city's Legacy Business Registry.

The commission's action follows staff presentations describing each applicant’s history and community role. Planning staff recommended adoption of resolutions adding the four businesses to the registry, and commissioners made the motion to approve all four applications together.

The Legacy Business program recognizes long‑running small businesses and nonprofit enterprises that contribute to San Francisco’s cultural or economic life. Heather Samuels, planning staff, presented Cha Cha Cha and the Golden Gate Park Band, noting Cha Cha Cha’s founding in 1984 and Golden Gate Park Band’s history of free public concerts at the Spreckels Temple of Music that stretch back to the 19th century. Kalani (Kehlani) Alcala presented City Optics, founded in 1988 by Dr. Jeffrey Rich. Honora Montana presented the San Francisco Flower Market, established in 1912 and recently relocated to 901 16th Street in Potrero Hill.

Speakers at the public comment period emphasized community continuity. Woody Labounty, president and CEO of San Francisco Heritage, told commissioners the legacy program is “an economic engine” for the city and urged fuller funding. Family members and the new owner of Cha Cha Cha, Onur Ozkainek, described the restaurant’s four‑decade role in the Haight and Mission districts; Oz said the restaurant “is more than just a place to eat. It's a gathering place, a community cornerstone.” A staff member who works with the legacy business program, Richard Carrillo, also spoke during general comment but identified himself as speaking as a resident.

After public comment and brief commissioner discussion, a motion to adopt staff’s recommendations for approval of all four applications was made and seconded. The roll call vote recorded commissioners Barone, Baldauff, Vergara, Wright, Nagas Warren and President Matsuda all voting yes; the motion passed 6–0.

The planning department said it will include submitted archival materials in the public record and can accept additional documentation for future legacy business applications.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved staff recommendations to add Cha Cha Cha (1801 Haight St.), Golden Gate Park Band, City Optics (Marina/Cow Hollow) and San Francisco Flower Market (901 16th St.) to the Legacy Business Registry by a unanimous vote, 6–0.

Commissioners said they supported staff outreach to preserve and document legacy business records and encouraged the public to provide supplemental historical material for the permanent file.