49-year-old San Francisco grocery store Courtney's Produce gains legacy business status

Courtney Produce located at 101 Castro Street in San Francisco has gained the legacy business title from San Francisco's Office of Small Business on Jan. 13, 2020. Courtney Produce located at 101 Castro Street in San Francisco has gained the legacy business title from San Francisco's Office of Small Business on Jan. 13, 2020. Photo: Photo By Taylor M. On Yelp Photo: Photo By Taylor M. On Yelp Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close 49-year-old San Francisco grocery store Courtney's Produce gains legacy business status 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

There are two types of grocery stores: the large cookie-cutter supermarket found in every city and then there’s the local neighborhood gem that’s been around for ages. Courtney's Produce in San Francisco is one of the latter and for the last 49 years, the cozy market has offered seasonal produce at the corner of Castro and 14th streets.

Last Monday, the longstanding grocery store was presented with legacy business status by San Francisco's Office of Small Business. It recognized Courtney's Produce for its physical features and “traditions” that define the business.

Among them were two prominent store items many locals recognize and love: the first is the store's vibrant green neon signage depicting “Courtney’s” and the other is its famous peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Priced at a $2.25, the sandwich is simple in its composition but a step up from the standard you got in grade school. It’s prepared with a generous scoop of peanut butter, strawberry jelly, slices of fresh strawberries, and served on two slices of cinnamon bread.

"When it gets down to it, in terms of popularity, it is all about the PB&J," Andrew Courtney, great-nephew of Courtney Produce founders Patrick and Lola Courtney, told Hoodline in 2015. "We ruin peoples' day when we sell out," he added.

The grocery store had its beginning back in 1969, when Patrick and Lola Courtney first opened as “Farmers Produce" in the Upper Haight, Hoodline reports. Two years later, the family-run business moved to the Duboce Triangle neighborhood at 101 Castro St. where it's been ever since.

"We are honored to be included in the Legacy Registry and accept this recognition with pride and humility knowing it comes from our beloved City of San Francisco family," Robin Courtney, daughter of Patrick and Lola, told Hoodline.

Supervisor Rafael Mandelman of District 8 nominated Courtney's Produce for the legacy business title and said the grocery store was exactly the kind of business that deserved the status.

"I’ve been in there a few times, but it was their neighbors who really wanted to honor them," Mandelman told SFGATE. "We learned more about the business because of them. We hope they stay there for many years to come."

Beyond the neon sign and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, the Office of Small Business also recognized the store for its commitment to fresh produce and other goods sold within the store. You can see all the items listed by the Office of Small Business below.

Physical Features or Traditions that Define the Business:

• Neon sign of “Courtney’s.”

• Fresh organic and conventional produce.

• Groceries and healthy prepared foods.

• The peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

San Francisco’s Office of Small Business recognizes businesses that have 30 years or more in service or 20 years or more, if they face a significant risk of displacement. Each business must be nominated by a member of the Board of Supervisors or mayor to be considered. Once the business is nominated, they can also apply for the Legacy Business Historic Preservation Fund, which can help small business owners stabilize their rents.

According to the Office of Small Business, the fund can offer landlords rent stabilization grants of $4.50 per square foot of space leased to businesses that will get an extended lease of at least 10 years. Small businesses may also receive business assistance grants of $500 per full-time employee per year.

"It’s getting harder and harder for small businesses to survive in San Francisco and the Legacy Business Program offers some support, but clearly we need to do more," Mandelman said.

Currently, the city has 275 legacy businesses listed on its registry.

Courtney's Produce is located at 101 Castro St. in San Francisco.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include Supervisor Rafael Mandelman's comments on Courtney's Produce's recent legacy business status.

Susana Guerrero is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: Susana.Guerrero@sfgate.com | Twitter: @SusyGuerrero3