Nabolom bakery and pizzeria in Berkeley to close permanently

A beloved California bakery that has been serving sweet treats and savory pies for 50 years is closing its doors for Holy Sunday as soaring costs and growing business pressure take their toll.

Nabolom Bakery & Pizzeria, a longtime Berkeley establishment known for its fruit danishes, challah, cinnamon twists and vegetarian pizzas, will close its doors after decades of serving the Bay Area community.

Co-owner Sabra Stepak told SFGate that rising ingredient and utility costs, staff turnover and fierce competition have made it increasingly difficult to operate the business.

“It’s something that happens in every small business,” Stepak said. “Chocolate is up three times. My PG&E (utilities) are up about 70%.”

News of the closure sparked a rush of customers hoping to get one last taste of the neighborhood favorite.

Nabolom saw a line out the door between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Friday and sold out of her pastries, Stepak said.

“We probably had our most viable days in 10 years, probably three times what we usually sell,” she said.

The company, which was established as a workers’ collective in 1976, has previously experienced financial difficulties.

The business nearly closed its doors in 2004 when the owners announced the company was nearly $30,000 in debt and two months behind on rent. The bakery has tried to stay afloat by accepting advance payments for baked goods and exploring new offerings, including gourmet pizza and live events.

Nabolom finally closed its doors in 2015 after the departure of several members of the collective.

A year later, Stepak and Julia Elliott bought the company, paid off most of its debt and moved it to private ownership. They revived the bakery and continued to serve customers for another decade.

Today, longtime customers are mourning the loss.

“Without a doubt, the recent incarnation of Nabolom with Julia and Sabra was THE BEST BAKERY in Berkeley,” one user commented. “I’ve lived in Berkeley for 60 years and now I’m in mourning! »

Stepak said she remains willing to sell the business to someone willing to pursue it.

“It has made us anxious and we can’t take it anymore,” she said. “We are exhausted.”

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