The Financial District’s One Twenty for Hair salon was granted legacy business status this month after more than three decades in business.

Authorized by the passage of Proposition J in 2015, the program recognizes businesses that have been in operation for more than 30 years that also contribute to the neighborhood's character and history.

In exchange for maintaining their identity, name and craft, legacy businesses are eligible for grants, as well as promotional and educational assistance.

The salon is named after the business’ original location at 120 Howard St., said co-owner Marco Paz. 

Paz and his wife, Edith, moved their family to San Francisco in 1984 from Washington, DC, after visiting the city during a vacation to take their oldest daughter to Disneyland.

“My wife suffered from allergies, and within 24 hours in San Francisco, she had none,” Paz told us. 

“And of course, there is the weather,” he added. 

The couple worked in a salon in Washington for seven years prior to the move, and Marco took a job at a salon on the ground floor of what is now the Griffin Hotel on the Embarcadero. 

When the owner of that salon retired, the couple took over the business and established their space at 120 Howard St. in 1985. 

The business remained in its original location until 2012, when it moved around the corner to its current location at 155 Main St.

The salon’s current lease ends in June 2018, but it recently signed another five-year contract at the location that starts in July.

It was nominated for legacy business status by District Six Supervisor Jane Kim, along with the business owners. In addition to offering salon services and beauty products, the space hosts local cosmetology students as interns to help them learn the craft.

“We offer very consistent services,” said Marcos, who noted that some customers have passed away, others have come back for more than 30 years, and a few who've moved visit the salon when they return to San Francisco.

“We get loyal customers, we attract those kinds of people,” he said.

One-Twenty for Hair has chairs available for stylists looking to rent space; interested parties can email Rosa Paz at [email protected] for more information.