the legacy business program

City leaders recognized what neighbors and businesses know: Preserving our legacy businesses is critical to maintaining what it is that makes San Francisco a special place. In 2014 the Board of Supervisors created the Legacy Business Registry and in 2015 voters approved the Legacy Business Historic Preservation Fund which provides grants to both Legacy Business owners and property owners who agree to lease extensions with Legacy Business tenants. 

The Excelsior, Outer Mission & Broad/Randolph Areas have 3 Registered Legacy Businesses - Let's Add More!

To be considered a Candidate for a Legacy Business: 
  1. The business has operated in San Francisco for 30 or more years, with no break in San Francisco operations exceeding two years. If the business has operated in San Francisco for more than 20 years but less than 30 years it may still satisfy this criteria if the Small Business Commission finds that the business has significantly contributed to the history or identity of a particular neighborhood or community and, if not included in the Registry, the business would face a significant risk of displacement.
  2. The business has contributed to the neighborhood's history and/or the identity of a particular neighborhood or community.
  3. The business is committed to maintaining the physical features or traditions that define the business, including craft, culinary, or art forms.
To learn more about the Legacy Business Program visit http://sfosb.org/legacy-business

our legacy businesses


Navarro's Kenpo Karate Studio - Legacy Business (2016) 
Navarro's was one of the Legacy Business program's 1st year nominees when the business was located in District 9. Carlos Navarro, a Supreme Great Grand Master and a high level black belt in Kenpo Karate, started his business in 1966 out of his garage. He soon outgrew the garage as word of mouth began to spread. Carlos moved to a location in the Mission in the 1970s where the Navarro studio grew quite quickly and became well known within the world of martial arts. Luckily for us, in 2019 they relocated to Geneva Avenue where the Academy teaches Kenpo Karate, Muay Thai, Eskrima, cardio kickboxing, weightlifting, aerobics, yoga, Zumba, Self-Defense for Women and Jiu-Jitsu.

Little Joe's Pizzeria - Legacy Business (2017) 
Little Joe's has served Excelsior families for over 50 years, first owned by Joseph Russo who opened in 1958, the restaurant is now operated by Fred and Patti Rodriguez. Fred and Patti applied for Legacy Business status on the recommendation of Stephanie Cajina, the executive director of the Excelsior Action Group. Cajina suggested that the program could help the business negotiate a longer lease and recognize Joseph Russo, the business’s founder and the owner of the building’s owner.
The business was a final stop on the late Mayor Ed Lee’s visit to the neighborhood as part of the Excelsior Holiday Walking tour, on Friday, Dec. 8.

Pacitas Salvadorean Bakery - Legacy Business (2017) 
Pacitas Salvadoran Bakery opened in the Excelsior District in 1996 by Maria Paz Rodriguez. Pacitas, a nickname for Maria Paz also means “small raisins” often featured in the traditional handmade Salvadoran bread that cannot be machine processed.  Prior to Pacitas, the location was an Italian-Cuban bakery, which she purchased from the owners. Pacitas has been so successful that a second location opened in San Leandro in 2011.