Photo Credit: Mark Kurlyandchik / Booth One Creative

Hazel Park, MI — A Metro Detroit pizza enthusiast who launched a social media-driven grassroots operation out of his home has found a permanent location for his business in Hazel Park!

I still remember the day several months ago when one of my best friends mentioned to me that he and his wife were scheduled to meet up with Matt Arb to pick up one of his pizzas in Royal Oak. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Matt Arb was a growing viral sensation for his pizza pop-ups known as Amelia Street Pizza Co. The concept was quite simple: folks would reach out to Matt via his Instagram page, place an order, and schedule a day/time to pick it up, then meet him at the pop-up location and conduct the typical exchange of payment for delicious pizza.

These “drops” became quite the buzz around Metro Detroit throughout last year as word-of-mouth spread and people became more curious to try this unique pizza sensation. Since Matt was making these pizzas out of his home kitchen, orders were limited to only a handful of people at a time, which led to an increased desire and demand by those anxious to try these zesty signature pies.

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Prior to his pizza endeavors, Matt spent seven years as a refinancing banker at Rocket Mortgage. Following a shift in his personal life, Matt began researching and keeping a digital diary dedicated to perfecting sourdough. As his process progressed, the demand for his unique pies around his neighborhood began to grow and eventually became a calling he simply couldn’t ignore, and Amelia Street Pizza was born.

What makes Matt’s pies special is his approach to the dough: a 72-hour cold sourdough ferment using a biga (dough mixture) with both commercial and wild yeast. The Amelia Street Pizza Co. signature pie comes with a half-moon Pecorino shave on the crust, an instantly recognizable calling card for Matt, while also adding a fun, cheesy flavor spin to half the pizza’s crust.

Not before long, however, Matt’s journey hit a snag when someone threatened to report Matt’s unlicensed home kitchen to the authorities and State officials. Just as Matt was forced to halt operations, Chef James Rigato of Mabel Gray (also in Hazel Park, and where I’ll coincidentally be dining later this month!) entered the picture after seeing Amelia Street Pizza Co. on social media.

James contacted Matt and the two solidified a partnership that has now led to Amelia Street Pizza Co. securing a brick-and-mortar location in Hazel Park. The viral pizza will be served at 951 E. 9 Mile Road, between John R and Dequindre roads, and is expected to officially open its doors in late spring.

Chef James Rigato, who is serving as an investor and mentor, has operated the popular fine-dining destination Mabel Gray for more than a decade in Hazel Park.

“I’ve wanted to open a pizza spot for a long time,” James 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.”

The soon-to-be neighborhood pizzeria will have a classic New York-style footprint designed for high-volume carryout in a 1,000-square-foot space. While there will be room for about 10-15 patrons to stand or sit while they enjoy their pizza, the menu is going to be intentionally minimal to model East Coast establishments. Offerings will include cheese pizza, pepperoni, one rotating special pie, cheese bread, homemade cookies, and beverages.

“It’s the coolest thing to have someone like James taking an interest in this little thing that
started in my kitchen,” Matt 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.”

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As someone who has lived in Hazel Park for over three years now, I can attest that the city certainly is on the upswing, with new businesses like Coffee and Bark and restaurants like Bar Gabi recently opening as well. It’s great to see up-and-coming small business owners and fellow foodies pursue their passions and make their dreams a reality. It’s even more heartwarming to see industry heavyweights like Rigato help lift others up and continue investing in their communities as well. And while I have yet to try Amelia Street Pizza Co. myself, I certainly won’t have any excuses when it’s a mere two-minute drive down the street — and believe me when I say, I cannot wait!

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For more information about Amelia Street Pizza Co. and to stay up to date for when the viral pizza sensation’s brick-and-mortar location will open, click here.