Baker and Pizzeria on the Ropes After Dispute With PG&E

Gerson, who cooks free healthy meals for children and senior citizens at the Walnut Creek Jewish Community Center (JCC), was doing what she always does when this whole situation started in February — baking. On the sixth of that month, she noticed smoke billowing out of the metal grate in front of her 26-year-old business -- the Sunshine Bakery. She called 911, and the fire department arrived and summoned PG&E, which cut off power to the bakery on the pole across the street.

It was at that point that Gershon's story took a turn for the bizarre. PG&E claimed the failed underground power cord belonged not to them but the property's landlord, Nancy Nebeker. Nebeker denied that, and a standoff ensued — leaving Gershon's bakery, catering shop and a neighboring pizza parlor without power.

The shutdown triggered a series of unfortunate events for Gershon and Pinky's Pizza owner, Tom Beisheim. The two rented generators to power up their ovens once again — yet after running them for a month at $3,000 a day, Gershon's insurance provider informed her that since it was uncertain that a "fire" knocked out her power, it would not pay off the bill.

What's more, Gershon and Beisheim's triple-net lease with Nebeker — a lease in which the renters are responsible for all taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses in addition to rent — could stick them with responsibility for keeping up underground wires. All told, Gershon and Beisheim have quickly racked up six figures of debt.

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