Historic Preservation Commission adds five businesses to Legacy Business Registry

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved a slate of five businesses for addition to the Legacy Business Registry on Aug. 17, endorsing staff recommendations that the businesses meet criteria in the administrative code for historic community contribution.

Planning staff presented applications for Piedmont Boutique (Haight Street), Outpost Studios (Folsom/Battery), PO Plus (Castro Street), Saint John Coltrane Church and Pops Bar (Fourth Street), and recommended listing each business on the registry. Elena Moore, presenting for Legacy Business staff, said staff found the nominees met the registry’s purpose of recognizing long‑standing neighborhood institutions and helping guard against displacement.

Members of the public, business owners and heritage advocates spoke in support. Woody Labounty of San Francisco Heritage said the Piedmont Boutique sign is “a visual icon of the city” and urged the commission to preserve the store’s connection to local drag and street culture. PO Plus owner Steve Martel described the shop as an essential neighborhood resource since 1982 and said, “We're kind of like that sitcom Cheers where you want to go where somebody knows your name.” Outpost representatives recounted repeated evictions and the studio’s role serving Bay Area musicians and filmmakers.

Commissioners praised the diversity of services these businesses provide and discussed their roles as community anchors. After discussion, the commission moved and seconded approval of the five nominations and voted 6–0 to adopt staff’s recommendations.

The registry addition does not itself change property rights; it places the businesses on an official list that can provide regulatory recognition and avenues for support and outreach. Planning staff will finalize resolutions reflecting the commission’s motion and forward the slate as appropriate.