Popular Pizza Pop-Up To Open Permanent Metro Detroit Restaurant

HAZEL PARK, MI — A popular pop-up pizza company is planning to open a permanent restaurant in metro Detroit sometime this spring, according to news reports.

Amelia Street Pizza Co., which is known for sourdough crust dusted in shaved cheese, will open its new spot along Nine Mile Road, between John R. and Dequindre in Hazel Park.

The new pizzeria will be roughly 1,000 square feet with enough space for 10–15 customers to sit or stand, similar to a New York-style pizza shop. Its menu will be simple, featuring a cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza, a rotating special pie, cheesebread, homemade cookies and soft drinks.

Acclaimed chef James Rigato, who is the owner of Mabel Gray, is backing the project.

"It’s the coolest thing to have someone like James taking an interest in this little thing that started in my kitchen," Amelia Street Pizza Co. Matt Arb said. "He hasn’t tried to change it or tell me what to do. Having him in my corner is just going to make it even more special. Our goal is to have the best pizza you’ve ever had, but for it to still feel like a neighborhood spot."

Arb started the pop-up out of his home after working as a refinancing banker at Rocket Mortgage for seven years. The pizzas became popular on social media and eventually helped him land a part-time spot at Detroit’s Dragonfly in 2025.

"I’ve wanted to open a pizza spot for a long time," Rigato said. "But this is not a Mabel Gray project. This is Matt’s business and Matt’s pizza. My mentorship is on the business and behind-the-scenes side. It’s about continuing to bring great food concepts to the city where I live and work, and helping a talented, independent guy who makes really great pizza build something from the ground up."