Although it’s now officially 2020, we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge some of the great city institutions that joined the Legacy Business Registry in the latter part of 2019. The Registry intends to honor and preserve “longstanding community-serving businesses that are recognized as valuable cultural assets to San Francisco by the Office of Small Business.” Popular food and drink destinations such as brunch haven Zazie and dive bar Li Po Lounge, as well as community service and arts organizations like Rebuilding Together and Community Music Center, are among the recent inductees. There are now over 260 businesses on the Registry, and it continues to grow.
Added November 2019
Date placed on the Registry: November 12, 2019
Located in Duboce Triangle near Church and Market Streets, The Academy of Ballet offers training both for the student preparing for a professional career and those who are studying ballet for its many other benefits.
Date placed on the Registry: November 12, 2019
A local dive bar in the heart of Chinatown since 1937, Li Po is most famous for its Chinese Mai Tai, enjoyed by locals and famous visitors such as the late Anthony Bourdain.
Lyra Corporation (Arion Press and M&H Type)
Date placed on the Registry: November 12, 2019
Since 1974 (with origins dating back further to 1919), Arion Press publishes several limited edition books every year, each conceptually unique. Their production facility includes a letterpress shop with a historic collection of typefaces, a type foundry operating machinery from 100 years ago, and a complete hand book bindery, housed in a 14,000 square foot industrial building in San Francisco’s Presidio National Park. SF Heritage was pleased to assist with their Legacy application.
Rebuilding Together San Francisco
Date placed on the Registry: November 12, 2019
Rebuilding Together San Francisco provides home repair and renovation programs for homeowners, renters, non-profit organizations and community spaces. Since 1989, they have rehabilitated more than 3,000 homes and 313 facilities serving tens of thousands of people.
Date placed on the Registry: November 12, 2019
Zazie was opened in Cole Valley in 1992 by Catherine Opoix, who named her neighborhood bistro after the main character in Louis Malle’s film Zazie dans le Métro. Today, it remains a popular brunch and dinner destination, and has a benefits program that is unparalleled in non-union restaurants, including fully funded health & dental insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, and paid family leave.
Added December 2019
Date placed on the Registry: December 9, 2019
Community Music Center was founded by Gertrude Field in 1921 with the mission of making music accessible to all people regardless of financial means. Located in the Mission District, the Center cultivates artistic growth for people of all ages and abilities through outstanding music education and performance opportunities.
Date placed on the Registry: December 9, 2019
Located on 6th & Harrison in the SoMa district, The End Up has been a premium nightlife and entertainment venue in San Francisco since 1973.
Horizon’s Unlimited of San Francisco, Inc.
Date placed on the Registry: December 9, 2019
Horizons has been a community resource since 1965, offering a variety of culturally-rooted and high appeal services and programs for youth and families. These include employment programs, gender-specific programs for men and women, and substance abuse treatment programs.
Date placed on the Registry: December 9, 2019
Mums (formerly named Cafe Mums) has been serving customers from their Japantown location in the Kimpton Buchanan Hotel since 1995. It is known for its traditional Japanese-style Shabu-Shabu (it was one of the first to serve it in the Bay Area) and Japanese and American cuisines.
Date placed on the Registry: December 20, 2019
Located on the north side of Lombard Street between Jansen and Taylor streets in the North Beach neighborhood Caffe Sapore ownder Elias Bikahi decided to open the coffee shop and eatery in 1997 to fill the needs of the North Beach community as well as to allow him to be home in the evenings with his family. It is a European style café with Mediterranean influences, and has been a beloved community space for over 18 years.
