Saving the Mom-and-Pops: a Legacy Businesses Toolkit

Legacy businesses—the corner stores, family restaurants, and neighborhood shops that define our communities—are disappearing. Yet few preservation tools exist to protect these vital expressions of living cultural heritage, especially in BIPOC, ethnic, and immigrant neighborhoods.

This webinar introduces a comprehensive Legacy Business Program Toolkit that bridges this gap. Drawing on best practices from municipal and community-based programs nationwide, you'll discover practical strategies for identifying, supporting, and preserving culturally significant businesses in your community. Whether you're a preservation professional, community advocate, or local government official, you'll gain actionable insights into protecting both the tangible and intangible heritage that makes our neighborhoods unique.

After more than 25 years working in digital design, Bennett King chose to shift his professional focus toward a more people-centered and place-based practice. What began as a career designing technology evolved into a deeper commitment to understanding and sustaining the cultures we nurture, the landscapes we inhabit, and the stories that shape our communities. This transition led him to historic and cultural preservation as a way to align his skills with his values.
​
Bennett holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from California State University, Fresno, and a Master of Arts in Historic Preservation from Goucher College. Over the past three years, he has worked with government agencies and nonprofit organizations on preservation-related projects, collaborating with planners, advocates, and community members to document, interpret, and protect both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. His background in human-centered design informs his approach to preservation—grounded in careful listening, thoughtful observation, and an understanding of how people interact with place. Today, he focuses on preserving cultures and places for the people who live within them.