10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 15-21, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com The legal battle that began in summer 2024 between the owner of Big Sur Bakery and the landlord of the property, after a blaze destroyed the business, may soon be resolved, according to court documents, with a mediation session slated for later this month. In the late afternoon of Friday, May 3, 2024, a fire was reported at Big Sur Bakery, owned and operated by Michael Gilson since the 2000s. Although firefighters responded to the call within minutes from their post behind the bakery, and were able to stop the blaze from spreading, they were unable to salvage the restaurant. The longtime Highway 1 gathering place was destroyed. Roughly a month after the incident, Gilson received notice from property owner Hillary Lipman that the lease for the building was terminated due to the fire. Soon after, Gilson filed a lawsuit in Monterey County Superior Court against Lipman and his son, Blaise Godbe Lipman, who operates Loma Vista Gardens on the property. The suit claimed that a fire or other act of destruction was not a cause for terminating the lease agreement. It also alleged that the property owner interfered with the bakery’s operations and violated Monterey County codes by operating an unpermitted mini-mart on the premises, among other complaints. In response, Lipman filed a cross-complaint in August 2024 against Gilson and John Harry, a former employee of the bakery. He alleged that Gilson breached the lease agreement by making unauthorized alterations to the premises without written consent—including the addition of gas lines and pizza ovens—and failing to provide proof of fire insurance, as well as failing to restore the premises to substantially the same condition as it was before the fire. The complaint also alleges that Gilson and Harry were negligent because the baker failed to detect the build-up of propane before igniting the oven, which ultimately resulted in the blaze. According to Lipman’s attorneys, the cost of the damages caused by the fire amounts to roughly $3.2 million. In June 2025, the two parties and their attorneys engaged to mediate and began working on a settlement agreement. After that, according to court documents, Lipman and Gilson began an informal discussion about potentially selling the property from Lipman to Gilson. However, because Lipman’s son operates a wedding destination business on the property, a new disagreement arose between the parties. Because of that dispute, attorneys have tentatively agreed on another round of mediation, set to occur between Jan. 21-23, where a “hoped-for resolution” can possibly be reached before a trial date scheduled for Feb 2. Gilson says he hopes the bakery is someday reestablished. “It is my hope, and the hope of many others, that Big Sur Bakery will return one day in the not too distant future to its home of nearly a quarter-century at Loma Vista,” he says. “Hopefully the goodwill associated with this settlement will help move the needle in that direction.” Hillary Lipman at the Loma Vista property he owns. Part of it was leased long-term to Big Sur Bakery before the popular establishment was destroyed by a fire. NEWS “It is my hope that Big Sur Bakery will return one day.” SARA RUBIN Cool Down Big Sur Bakery’s owner and landlord negotiate to settle a court dispute and consider a possible sale. By Aric Sleeper HOLIDAY DEALS ON YOUR DOG’S FAVORITE FOODS! $5 OFF Any purchase of $25 or more $10 OFF $20 OFF Any purchase of $50 or more Any purchase of $100 or more Expires 12-31-25. Cannot be combined with other discounts or offers. limit 1 coupon per customer. Not valid on hay, shavings, seresto, max bully, sportstrail, or roudybush. must present entire physical coupon at time of purchase. Coupon must come directly from the Monterey County Weekly. Reprints or photocopies not valid. Quality feed & pet supplies · DIY dog & cat vaccines · Premium hay at great prices BUY ONE, GET $5 OFF YOUR SECOND BAG! MIX AND MATCH FLAVORS! Quality feed & pet supplies • DIY dog & cat vaccines • Premium hay at great prices Low cost vaccination clinic for dogs & cats. Microchipping. Prescription flea/tick medication. Open every Saturday 12pm-3pm. 101 W. LAUREL DR, SALINAS • (831)443-6161 Mon-Sat 9am-6pm Sun 10am-5pm $5 OFF Any purchase of $25 or more $20 OFF Any purchase of $100 or more $10 OFF Any purchase of $50 or more EXPIRES 12-31-25. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER DISCOUNTS OR OFFERS. LIMIT 1 COUPON PER CUSTOMER. NOT VALID ON HAY, SHAVINGS, SERESTO, MAX BULLY, SPORTSTRAIL, OR ROUDYBUSH. MUST PRESENT ENTIRE PHYSICAL COUPON AT TIME OF PURCHASE. COUPON MUST COME DIRECTLY FROM THE MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY. REPRINTS OR PHOTOCOPIES NOT VALID. $44.99 EACH • 40 LB BAGS DIAMOND NATURALS LAMB & RICE 40LB OR DIAMOND NATURALS CHICKEN & RICE 40LB AMAZING DISCOUNTS ON BIG VICTOR HI PRO BAGS! 40 LB – $10.00 OFF! 50 LB – $12.00 OFF! HOLIDAY DEALS ON YOUR DOG’S FAVORITE FOODS! NEW BACON FLAVOR SPORTMIX ESSENTIALS AT A GREAT DISCOUNTED PRICE! $29.99 40LB BAG BUY ONE, GET $5 OFF YOUR SECOND BAG! MIX AND MATCH FLAVORS! Quality feed & pet supplies • DIY dog & cat vaccines • Premium hay at great prices Low cost vaccination clinic for dogs & cats. Microchipping. Prescription flea/tick medication. Open every Saturday 12pm-3pm. 101 W. LAUREL DR, SALINAS • (831)443-6161 Mon-Sat 9am-6pm Sun 10am-5pm Any purchase of $25 or more Any purchase of $100 or more $10 OFF Any purchase of $50 or more EXPIRES 12-31-25. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER DISCOUNTS OR OFFERS. LIMIT 1 COUPON PER CUSTOMER. NOT VALID ON HAY, SHAVINGS, SERESTO, MAX BULLY, SPORTSTRAIL, OR ROUDYBUSH. MUST PRESENT ENTIRE PHYSICAL COUPON AT TIME OF PURCHASE. COUPON MUST COME DIRECTLY FROM THE MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY. REPRINTS OR PHOTOCOPIES NOT VALID. $44.99 EACH • DIAMOND NATURALS LAMB & RICE 40LB OR DIAMOND NATURALS CHICKEN & RICE 40LB AMAZING DISCOUNTS ON BIG VICTOR HI PRO BAGS! 40 LB – $10.00 OFF! 50 LB – $12.00 OFF! HOLIDAY DEALS ON YOUR DOG’S FAVORITE FOODS! NEW BACON FLAVOR SPORTMIX ESSENTIALS AT A GREAT DISCOUNTED PRICE! 40LB BAG low cost vaccination clinic for dogs & cats. Microchipping. Prescription flea/tick mediction. Open every Saturday 12pm-3pm Buy One, Get $5 Off Your Second Bag! MIX AND MATCH FLAVORS! DIAMOND NATURALS LAMB & RICE 40LB DIAMOND NATURALS CHICKEN & RICE 40LB OR $44.99 EACH 40 LB BAGS $29.99 40 LB BAGS - 50 LB BAGS - $10 off! $12 off! NEW BACON FLAVOR SPORTMIX ESSENTIALS AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE! 40 LB BAG 101 W. Laurel Dr, Salinas • (831)443-6161 Mon-Sat • 9am-6pm • Sun 10am-5pm Domenico’s on the Wharf features Cioppino-a house specialty, Boat to Table Wild Alaskan Salmon, Oysters Rockefeller are a sample of the many great menu choices. Also enjoy Fine Wines and Cocktails, Desserts and Great Service. A local favorite celebrating 44 YEARS on Old Fisherman’s Wharf. 50 OLD FISHERMAN’S WHARF MONTEREY • 831-372-3655 www.domenicosmonterey.com Open Daily 11:30am to close Fresh Seafood, Italian Classics, Prime Steaks , with Beautiful Harbor Views. Voted Best Restaurant - Fisherman’s Wharf ’25 Make Your Holiday Weekend Reservations! World Affairs Council of the Monterey Bay Area January Event The Crisis in U.S. - Venezuela Relations: How Did We Get Here? Where Are We Headed? Friday, January 30th - Luncheon Lecture Dr. Jeff Dayton-Johnson Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Institute Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey The current conflict between the U.S. and Venezuela follows more than a decade of deteriorating economic and political conditions. What does the U.S. government want , and what are the future paths for Venezuela? www.wacmb.org or call (831) 643-1855 11:30am Registration • 12pm Luncheon • 12:45pm Presentation Reservations Required • Deadline is Friday, January 23 $55 for members • $65 for guests - WACMB will accept auditors to this event Marriott Monterey - The Ferrantes Room 350 Calle Principal, Downtown Monterey Visit our website www.wacmb.org for information and reservations
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