Legacy business programs are a relatively new concept and are not widespread, with only around 30 existing nationwide. So, let’s define what they are. The Small Business Anti-Displacement Network website frames legacy business programs as initiatives designed to preserve longtime businesses that contribute to a neighborhood’s history, identity, and character. They celebrate the time-tested local mom-and-pop restaurants and shops that form the cultural and economic anchors of their communities. Remember that, unlike other small business programs, these initiatives are about more than just the building or the business. At their core, they are about preserving the stories, cultural heritage, and traditions, as well as the community connections that occur within these businesses, so that the sense of place and character of the community remains for generations to come.

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There is currently no national or state-level guidance for legacy business programs; instead, they are often established by community groups, preservation organizations, or local governments. The programs are designed to address the challenges faced by local long-term businesses and their owners. Some of these challenges are outlined in the What Challenges are Legacy Businesses Facing section of this website. Legacy business programs offer grants, local recognition, business training, technical assistance, branding, advertising and marketing, as well as succession planning to legacy businesses. Some programs also work with local landlords to ensure that commercial space remains available for local legacy businesses. By necessity, the programs are generally cross-functional, complementing existing municipal programs, as they require expertise and assistance from small business programs, civic associations, historic preservation organizations, city and urban planning departments, and local policymakers.