The Pasadena City Council has chosen the first two businesses to be honored as part of the city’s new Legacy Business Program.
The businesses are Vroman’s Bookstore, which has been in Pasadena for 126 years, and Pashgian Brothers Fine Oriental Rugs, established in 1889.
“As the result of the pandemic, small businesses are more than ever challenged with economic challenges,” Mayor Victor Gordo said at Monday’s council meeting. “This is an attempt to recognize some of these businesses.”
Under the program, the city honors businesses that have been in Pasadena for 50 years and contributed to the city in a unique way.
Besides the formal recognition, the businesses will be recognized in the city’s newsletter and on its social media platforms.
The owners of the businesses will receive accommodations and a window decal identifying it as a legacy business.
Long Beach, San Francisco, and San Antonio, Texas, have started similar programs.
When the program was discussed at a meeting of the council’s Economic Development and Technology (EdTECH) Committee, city Economic Development Manager Eric Duyshart said it is important to honor these operations as the pandemic continues threatening small businesses.
The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce has a similar program recognizing longtime members that have been in business for extended periods of time.
In a letter to the EdTECH Committee, Chamber President and CEO Paul Little said he supported the idea and called on the council to celebrate local businesses before they close due to impacts of the coronavirus.