Beloved Pop-Up Pizzeria to Open Brick-and-Mortar in Hazel Park
Matt Arb's Amelia Street Pizza Co. is set to open its doors in a new location in metro Detroit, bringing its signature pies to a wider audience. The popular pizza pop-up, which started as a small operation out of Arb's home kitchen, has gained a loyal following thanks to its unique flavor profiles and commitment to using high-quality ingredients.
The company's growth was facilitated by the support of acclaimed chef James Rigato, who is not only backing the venture financially but also serving as an investor and mentor. Rigato believes that his involvement will enable Arb to maintain his creative vision while benefiting from his expertise in the industry.
"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." The brick-and-mortar location will be situated at 951 E. Nine Mile Rd., in a storefront attached to a party store.
The low-key shop will feature an array of traditional pizza options, including cheese, pepperoni, and a rotating special. The menu is intentionally simple, with additional offerings such as cheese bread, cookies, and soft drinks rounding out the selections.
Arb's journey began seven years ago when he left his career in refinancing to open his pop-up. His pizzas quickly gained traction on social media, catching the attention of Rigato and leading to a residency at Detroit's Dragonfly in 2025.
"I've wanted to open a pizza spot for a long time," Arb said. "Having James in my corner is just going to make it even more special." The goal is to create a neighborhood spot that serves as a haven for pizza lovers, while maintaining the integrity of the company's unique culinary style.
More information on Amelia Street Pizza Co.'s upcoming opening can be found on Instagram @ameliastpizzaco.
Matt Arb's Amelia Street Pizza Co. is set to open its doors in a new location in metro Detroit, bringing its signature pies to a wider audience. The popular pizza pop-up, which started as a small operation out of Arb's home kitchen, has gained a loyal following thanks to its unique flavor profiles and commitment to using high-quality ingredients.
The company's growth was facilitated by the support of acclaimed chef James Rigato, who is not only backing the venture financially but also serving as an investor and mentor. Rigato believes that his involvement will enable Arb to maintain his creative vision while benefiting from his expertise in the industry.
"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." The brick-and-mortar location will be situated at 951 E. Nine Mile Rd., in a storefront attached to a party store.
The low-key shop will feature an array of traditional pizza options, including cheese, pepperoni, and a rotating special. The menu is intentionally simple, with additional offerings such as cheese bread, cookies, and soft drinks rounding out the selections.
Arb's journey began seven years ago when he left his career in refinancing to open his pop-up. His pizzas quickly gained traction on social media, catching the attention of Rigato and leading to a residency at Detroit's Dragonfly in 2025.
"I've wanted to open a pizza spot for a long time," Arb said. "Having James in my corner is just going to make it even more special." The goal is to create a neighborhood spot that serves as a haven for pizza lovers, while maintaining the integrity of the company's unique culinary style.
More information on Amelia Street Pizza Co.'s upcoming opening can be found on Instagram @ameliastpizzaco.
it's been doing amazing as a pop-up and I love how simple the menu sounds - who doesn't need a good cheese bread or cookie with their pizza? 
but, on the other hand, I'm also worried about the competition in metro Detroit... there are already so many great spots out there, will Amelia Street Pizza Co. be able to stand out from the crowd? 
only time will tell!
. I'm intrigued by the idea of Matt Arb's unique flavor profiles and commitment to using high-quality ingredients – fingers crossed he won't mess it up! 
The whole setup with James Rigato on board as a mentor/investor is pretty cool, too. It'll be interesting to see how their collaboration shapes the menu and overall vibe of the shop. 
Either way, I'm excited to try some of their pies when they open up in spring! 
i wanna see if they're as cute as i imagine
They're still keeping it low-key with a simple menu, but that's actually kinda genius - less to worry about and more time to perfect the pies. And having James Rigato on board is like a dream come true! He's got the business smarts to back up Matt Arb's passion for cooking. I'm curious to see how they'll make it work, but I trust them to stay true to their roots 
, love how James Rigato is backing the venture financially & mentoring Matt, it'll be interesting to see if they can maintain that unique flavor profile while scaling up production 
. And having James Rigato as a mentor is a total win-win 
. I'm all about that simple menu vibe - who needs too many options when the pizza is this good? 
Plus, the fact that they're keeping it low-key and cozy in that party store storefront is giving me all the feels 
