Nabolom back in business on Monday Feb. 2016. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
Tanja Traber helps longtime Berkeley resident Chris Rogers choose a selection of pastries fresh off the rack at Nabolom Bakery’s grand reopening. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
Tanja Traber helps longtime Berkeley resident Chris Rogers choose a selection of pastries fresh off the rack at Nabolom Bakery’s grand reopening. Photo: Kelly Sullivan

Five months after it closed, Nabolom Bakery reopened on a foggy Monday morning, with an enthusiastic line of long-time customers.

“I like supporting a local business, so when it reopens, it’s a joyful thing,” said Jeannie, who didn’t want to provide her last name. She hoped to find the blueberry apricot bran muffin (not today) and the cinnamon twist that she enjoyed in Nabolom’s earlier incarnation.

“Congratulations!” said another customer to new co-owner Julia Elliott. “Still standing!”

“Barely,” said Elliott, who had been working around the clock with her partner, Sabra Stepak, to reopen Nabolom. Elliott and Stepak bought the bakery (including its recipes) from the collective that owned it for four decades.

“I’m excited,” Elliott said. “But I’m so tired, I’m out of my mind. But people love Nabolom.”

One couple who came early for the reopening (having read about it on Berkeleyside) said they had discovered Nabolom in their neighborhood when they moved to Berkeley 18 months ago.

“We were emotionally devastated when it closed,” said Maurice Manning, who was getting a quick breakfast with Vanessa Goh. “We had to come celebrate before work.”

Nabolom back in business on Monday Feb. 2016. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
Nabolom Bakery reopens on a foggy Berkeley morning. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
Nabolom back in business on Monday Feb. 2016. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
Baker Sasha Crehan rolls out dough for challah bread. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
Nabolom back in business on Monday Feb. 2016. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
The before-school crowd forms a line through the bakery. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
Nabolom back in business on Monday Feb. 2016. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
Baker Aron Ford removes fresh morning buns from their pan. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
Nabolom back in business on Monday Feb. 2016. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
A carved wooden statue serves as a doorstop. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
Nabolom back in business on Monday Feb. 2016. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
Customers are encouraged to note their memories of the bakery at the reopening. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
Nabolom back in business on Monday Feb. 2016. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
Helen Hallberg rings out one of the first customers at the bakery’s reopening. Photo: Kelly Sullivan
Helen Hallberg rings out one of the first customers at the bakery’s reopening. Photo: Kelly Sullivan

Related:
Berkeley’s Nabolom Bakery to reopen February 29 (02.24.16)
Staffing issues led to the closure of Nabolom Bakery (08.06.15)
Nabolom Bakery to close after 40 years in Berkeley (07.31.15)

Want to keep up-to-date on all the food, drink and restaurant news in the East Bay? Subscribe to NOSH Weekly, the free weekly email packed with delicious news. Simply sign up here.

Lance Knobel (Berkeleyside co-founder) has been a journalist for nearly 40 years. Much of his career was in business journalism. He was editor-in-chief of both Management Today, the leading business magazine...