Nabolom Bakery and Safeway Close California Locations
Nabolom Bakery & Pizzeria in Berkeley and a Safeway supermarket in West San Jose are closing due to financial pressures and operational shifts.
Two distinct California businesses are shutting their doors due to financial and operational challenges. Nabolom Bakery & Pizzeria, a Berkeley establishment operating since 1976, is closing permanently after accumulating $30,000 in debt and falling two months behind on rent.
Co-owners Sabra Stepak and Julia Elliott attributed the closure to rising costs for labor, utilities, and ingredients, as well as a decline in foot traffic. The owners specifically linked the downfall to political activism, citing a 20% sales drop after Instagram removed them for reposting an anti-ICE message. They also noted boycotts and backlash related to a "defund the police" mural, a "Teach Palestine" poster, and their opposition to local upzoning.
In a separate development, Safeway is closing its supermarket on Bollinger Road in West San Jose around November 14. While the company stated the decision was not made lightly, it provided no specific reason for the closure. Safeway confirmed that all employees from the Bollinger Road location will be reassigned to other stores in the region.
