Beloved Berkeley Bakery Closes After 50 Years Amid Rising Costs
Nabolom Bakery & Pizzeria, a long-standing community staple, cites increased expenses and operational challenges as reasons for its closure.
Berkeley's Nabolom Bakery & Pizzeria, a fixture in the Bay Area for half a century, will close its doors permanently on Sunday. The closure comes after five decades of serving the community, with owners attributing the decision to escalating operational costs and business pressures.
Co-owner Sabra Stepak told SFGate that the rising prices of ingredients, utilities, and challenges with employee turnover have made it unsustainable to continue operations. "Chocolate has increased three times. My PG&E (utilities) has gone up like 70%," Stepak stated, adding that these issues are prevalent among small businesses nationwide. She described the situation as "exhausting."
The announcement has led to a surge in customers seeking a final taste of the bakery's offerings. On Friday, Nabolom experienced its busiest days in years, with lines extending out the door and pastries selling out by late morning.
Nabolom began as a worker collective in 1976 and has faced financial difficulties in the past. In 2004, the bakery was nearly $30,000 in debt and struggled with rent payments, prompting efforts to stay afloat through advance orders and expanded offerings. The original collective eventually disbanded, and Nabolom closed in 2015.
Stepak and Julia Elliott purchased the business a year later, clearing most of its debt and transitioning it to private ownership. They revived the bakery, continuing its legacy for another decade before the current challenges led to the decision to close.
The closure has prompted an outpouring of support and sadness from longtime patrons. "Without a doubt, the recent incarnation of Nabolom with Julia and Sabra, was THE BEST BAKERY in Berkeley," one user commented on social media. "I have lived in Berkeley for 60 years, and now grieve!"
Stepak has indicated she is open to selling the business to a party interested in continuing its operation, but expressed the current owners' fatigue as the primary driver for the decision. The bakery has served a wide range of popular items, including fruit danishes, challah, cinnamon twists, and vegetarian pizzas.