San Francisco's legacy businesses, those time-honored local institutions that define the city's unique neighborhoods, have gained a lifeline in the fight against displacement. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has unanimously passed an emergency measure that requires a public hearing before any legacy business can be replaced or demolished as part of a neighborhood's commercial redevelopment. The move is a direct challenge to Mayor London Breed's redevelopment plan, which has been criticized for lacking adequate protections for such businesses.
The legislation, spearheaded by Board President Aaron Peskin, responded to their billionaire landlord's attempted closure of two legacy businesses on Fillmore Street. The measure aligns with North Beach and Mission policies, putting a check on landlords and developers by demanding transparency and community involvement in decisions that could alter the face of the city. "It is irresponsible for the city to be pushing an upzoning plan on neighborhood commercial corridors without first putting forward a comprehensive plan to protect small businesses and tenants," Peskin told the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in a statement.
Local business owners have welcomed the measure, expressing relief and hope for a more balanced approach to urban development. Vanick Der Bedrossian, owner of Cafe La Mediterranee, emphasized the significance of small businesses to San Francisco's identity, stating to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, "Billionaire landlords have purchased so many blocks of our street where we have run our family business for forty-five years and are refusing to engage in any discussion with us and other long-time tenants." This sentiment was echoed by Sean Kim, the fourth-generation owner of Joe's Ice Cream, about the uncertainty of planning for the future amidst aggressive redevelopment efforts.
Yet, the legislation's passage is not the end of the road. It now awaits the Mayor's decision–to sign, return unsigned, or veto. Steve Amano, co-owner of the now-shuttered Sushi Ten-Ichi, made a personal plea in his remarks to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, driving home the impact such closures have on local communities and the city's heritage. Yolanda Porrata of Small Business Forward also highlighted the need for small businesses to be included in the city's growth planning rather than as collateral damage.
