Legacy Business Program
A "Legacy Business" is defined as businesses that are long standing, independent enterprises that make a strong contribution to community character. These businesses are cultural anchors and a special part of Boston’s historic identity.
We believe that by highlighting these businesses can help turn our neighborhoods into destinations. We want to drive spending and pedestrian traffic into local commercial districts. With increased visibility, our goal is to ensure that these Legacy Businesses can:
- avoid displacement
- grow their influence
- keep residents employed, and
- enrich the cultural vibrancy of the City of Boston.
Nominations for the 2025 Legacy Business Program ended at 5:00 pm on Friday, November 1.
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Have questions? Contact:
Economic Opportunity and Inclusion
Key Program Information
Key Program InfoNominations for the 2025 Legacy Business Program ended at 5:00 pm on Friday, November 1.
Boston residents can nominate one business. You cannot nominate a business in which you are an owner, operator, investor, employee, or hold any other affiliation. Previous winners are not eligible.
Legacy Businesses must have operated for at least 10 years within the city of Boston. The winners must commit to maintaining operations in the city once officially designated.
This is the third year of the Legacy Business Program. By recognizing and supporting Legacy businesses on an annual basis, the Program helps further Mayor Wu’s vision for a family-friendly, vibrant city with sustainable community businesses.
The deadline for 2025 Legacy Business Program nominations was Friday, November 1, 2024.
The Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion (OEOI) reviews the nominations and sends a list of all eligible businesses to the corresponding office of the District Councilor and all At-Large Councilors.
From these nominations, each Councilor will select up to five businesses for consideration by the Review Committee. These 65 businesses will be sent an invitation to apply for the program. Those applications will be forwarded to the Review Committee
The City of Boston’s Legacy Business Review Committee is made up of the following nine people:
- Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, or their designee
- Chief of Arts and Culture, or their designee
- Chief of Community Engagement, or their designee
- Director of Small Business, Office of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion
- Director of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment
- Senior Neighborhood Business Manager (one-year term, rotating)
- Boston Main Street director (one-year term, rotating)
- Executive Director of the Boston Main Streets Foundation, or their designee
- City Council Chair of Small Business, or their designee
After an interview process with the Review Committee, the Committee narrows the list down to 25 recommendations.
The Mayor will ensure that these recommendations represent the rich diversity and heritage of our neighborhoods. Once approved, we will hold a ceremony to celebrate the 30 winners.
Once a business has been designated as a Legacy Business, they will:
- be featured as a Legacy Business on the City digital platforms.
- receive targeted technical assistance with a focus on succession planning and employee ownership. Businesses will also receive a commercial lease toolkit and free legal consultation (with City of Boston partners).
- receive a plaque and a special badge to feature in their business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked QuestionsNo, nonprofits are not eligible for this program. This program is to support local small businesses in our neighborhoods.
Yes, if the business has changed ownership but has remained the same name, type of business/industry for 10 years, they are eligible.
Yes, if they have been in business in Boston for 10 years, they are eligible. They do not need to have maintained the same address.
Previous Winners
Previous WinnersAfter an in-depth community nomination process, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion granted Legacy Business Awards to the following 30 businesses, who represent 1,281 years of service to 19 neighborhoods.
For the second year of the Legacy Business Program, we received 1,561 nominations from the community. This totaled 326 unique enterprises, of which 276 businesses qualified as being located in Boston and open for at least 10 years.
The review committee met on April 24 to score the finalists. Grant recommendations are based on the program’s goals and were determined by the following criteria:
- Historic significance
- Years in operation
- Commitment to the community
- Strength of application
The 2024 winners are as follows:
ALLSTON- Flint Cleaners
- Gloria’s Beauty Center
- Trident Booksellers & Cafe
- Charles Street Supply Co. & Hardware
- Daniel’s Bakery
- Sanchez Market
- Mei Sum Bakery
- Dorchester Reporter
- Family Hardware Corp.
- Restaurante Cesaria
- Rosa’s Liquors
- Vaughn Fish & Chips
- Walnut Deluxe Cleaners and Tailors
- El Mundo
- Cornwall’s
- Akiki Auto Repair
- Alex’s Chimis
- Brendan Behan Pub
- William Browne & Sons
- Mike’s Donuts
- Parziale’s Bakery
- Sophia’s Grotto
- Tony’s Market
- Anshur Restaurant
- Frugal Bookstore
- Lawson’s Barber Shop
- Broadway Lock Company, Inc.
- House of Culture
- Kids R Kids
- West Roxbury Framing
East Boston
- Taquería Jalisco
Fenway
- India Quality
Hyde Park
- Au Beurre Chaud Bakery
- Richy’s
- Ron's Gourmet Ice Cream
Jamaica Plain
- El Oriental de Cuba
- George’s Shoes
- Le Foyer Bakery
Mission Hill
- Liz's Hair Care
north end
- Caffe Dello Sport
Roslindale
- Pleasant Cafe
Roxbury
- Ideal Sub Shop
- Latino Beauty Supply
- Silver Slipper Restaurant
South Boston
- Deja Brew
South End
- Wally's Cafe
- Slade’s Bar & Grill
West Roxbury
- Sugar Bakery
Legacy Business Workshops
The City of Boston's Office of Small Business presents the Legacy Business Workshop Series featuring six workshops from October to December.
Who's Involved:
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Have questions? Contact:
Economic Opportunity and Inclusion
