Berkeley Bakery Closes After 50 Years, Owners Blame Political Backlash

Nabloom Bakery & Pizzeria in Berkeley has closed its doors after 50 years in business, with its owners citing a combination of economic pressures and political backlash for the closure. The Bay Area institution, known for its fruit Danish pastries and sourdough pizzas, had initially cited rising ingredient and utility costs as the primary reasons for its shutdown.

However, owners Julia Elliott and Sabra Stepak have also stated that controversy surrounding their political views significantly impacted the business. In a Facebook post, they wrote, "We've always been upfront about our political views. It has now threatened our livelihood."

The owners highlighted specific instances that drew criticism, including a "Defund the Police" mural and a "Teach Palestine" poster displayed outside the establishment. Additionally, they reported being removed from Instagram for reposting an image of a BART car with "Fuck-Ice" written on it.

According to Elliott and Stepak, sales dropped by 20% after their Instagram account was deactivated. They also mentioned facing a boycott that spread through online forums and messaging applications due to their opposition to up-zoning initiatives.

Beyond the political controversies, the bakery also faced operational challenges. The owners noted difficulties in meeting customer demand and struggled with low employee retention, attributing this in part to the high cost of living in Berkeley, which made it difficult for staff to afford to reside in the area. "We raised prices and the gross stayed flat. Raising prices is more consequential for some customers than others, we didn’t love that," the owners stated.

Nabloom began as a worker collective in 1976. It encountered financial difficulties in 2004, facing significant debt and overdue rent. The bakery temporarily closed in 2015 following the departure of several collective members but was subsequently purchased by Elliott and Stepak, who transitioned it to private ownership.

Despite the closure, the bakery saw a surge of support from the community in its final days. On Friday, October 16, a line of customers extended out the door, and all pastries were sold out by late morning, as reported by SFGATE.

Elliott and Stepak expressed hope that a new buyer could revitalize the business, ideally someone "young, energetic" and passionate about food. They concluded their statement by emphasizing their pride in being part of Berkeley for over five decades and their desire to have maintained an authentic neighborhood bakery where others could also be themselves. "We're not in a popularity contest. We did our very best & have left everything on the field. We love Nabolom and the community around it."