Detroit welcomes back Michigan & Trumbull Pizza with grand opening celebration
- Michigan & Trumbull specializes in crafting Detroit-style pizza with inventive flavor combinations
- The pizzeria offers a menu that pays homage to the city's pizza heritage while providing unexpected twists on classic favorites
- Michigan & Trumbull received a $55,000 grant from Motor City Match, marking the 164th MCM business to open
- Motor City Match has awarded $15.7M in cash grants; 82% of overall winners are minority-owned businesses and 71% are women-owned
Detroit's culinary landscape expands with the grand opening of Michigan & Trumbull Pizza, a community-backed pizzeria delivering Detroit-style pizza with a twist. Located in the Elijah McCoy neighborhood, Michigan & Trumbull Pizza is set to become a local favorite for quality food enthusiasts and city dwellers alike. Founders and couple Nate Peck and Kristen Calverley, welcomed Mayor Mike Duggan, city officials and pizza fans to commemorate the ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the 164th Motor City Match business to open.
Michigan & Trumbull Pizza's journey began in Pittsburgh, where Peck and Calverley identified a gap in the market for authentic Detroit-style pizza. Relocating to Detroit in 2012, they started experimenting with recipes, blending traditional techniques with inventive flavor combinations. The result is a menu that pays homage to the city's pizza heritage while offering unexpected twists on classic favorites.
After opening their first Motor City Match-supported location in January 2020, the difficult economic conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic compelled them to shut down. However, Peck and Calverley continued their vision of owning a community-focused eatery where locals could unite over great pizza. Undeterred, they secured their current location in the Elijah McCoy neighborhood and set out to resurrect their beloved restaurant. The new location strategically positions itself in a thriving neighborhood, adjacent to the Dreamtroit mixed-use development apartments. Just four blocks away, it aligns with the transformative $3 billion development plans announced by Henry Ford Health, Tom Gores & Detroit Pistons, and Michigan State University in Detroit's New Center.
"We faced difficulties, but we’re determined to keep our prices reasonable for Detroiters," said Calverley. "Our success is a testament to the community's support, and we're excited to continue serving our unique Detroit-style pizza to the neighborhood."
After being awarded a $55,000 grant from Motor City Match, Peck and Calverley were able to use the funds to extensively renovate and equip their new location. As Detroit residents themselves, the two are dedicated to employing local talent.
"Congratulations to Nate and Kristen on the grand opening of Michigan & Trumbull Pizza at this great new location, which within the next few years is going to be completely reimagined into a vibrant and walkable community with hundreds of new jobs and residents,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “We're glad Michigan & Trumbull Pizza is back on the map after persevering through the challenges caused by the pandemic and know it will continue to be a great place for Detroiters and visitors alike to gather for delicious Detroit-style pizza."
Michigan & Trumbull Pizza's commitment to the community goes beyond the kitchen. The pizzeria actively supports local organizations by donating a percentage of proceeds to various community-focused organizations, including the Empowerment Program, Pope Francis Center, Detroit Gym and 3D Detroit. Michigan & Trumbull Pizza also offers a special discount for hospital workers to show appreciation for their tireless efforts.
“The Motor City Match program is proud to have supported Michigan & Trumbull Pizza's journey in contributing to the economic vitality of Detroit," said Sean Gray, vice president of Small Businesses Services at the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, responsible for managing the Motor City Match program. “Nate and Kristen’s success reflects the resilience and vibrancy of Detroit's small business community. We’re thrilled they’ve decided to reopen in Detroit and eagerly anticipate their success and positive impact in the community.”
Through 24 rounds of Motor City Match:
- Total cash grants: $15.7 million (Total leveraged investment: $87.4 million)
- 82 percent are minority-owned businesses
- 71 percent are women-owned businesses
- 67 percent are businesses owned by Detroit residents
About Motor City Match
Motor City Match is a unique partnership between the City of Detroit, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Competitive financial assistance is supported by a broad partnership of Southeast Michigan community development financial institutions and corporations including, Bank of America, Fifth Third Bank, Ford Foundation, Hudson Webber Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, New Economy Initiative, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Motor City Match applications are available quarterly. More information is available at www.MotorCityMatch.com