Inside Pie-Sci's Woodbridge Pizza Laboratory

Brenna Houck is a Cities Manager for the Eater network. She previously edited Eater Detroit and reported for Eater. You can follow her on the internet at @brennahouck.

Woodbridge's pop-up turned full-fledged pizzeria returns this week to Trumbull Avenue. Pie-Sci owner Jeremy Damaske started developing the restaurant concept more than four years ago, slinging pizzas on Sunday evenings at Woodbridge Pub. His light, almost focaccia-like crust covered with a thin layer of sauce and creative topping combinations was unlike most anything else being served in the Detroit-square dominated market. The pop-up soon found a strong neighborhood following and fans throughout the city.

Two years ago, Damaske struck a deal with Woodbridge Pub's owner Jim Geary to lease a neighboring building for his own pizzeria and last summer shutdown the pop-up to refocus attention on renovating the restaurant. While it's taken longer than initially anticipated to open, Pie-Sci is finally nearing the finish line. Damaske expects final city paperwork to arrive this week in time for a Thursday or Friday opening.

Pie-Sci features a clean, simple design with a red facade, a counter for ordering, and a full view of the kitchen. Benches wrap the room flanked by two tops and chairs, with bar seating near the windows. The restaurant has space for around 25 diners. Echoing the science and experimentation theme tables are decorated with beakers that double as flower vases. Outdoor bench seating was completed over the weekend and the backyard will eventually feature a patio.

Photographers Chris and Michelle Gerard took a tour of the restaurant ahead of the official debut. Take a look around the renovation and stay tuned for menu updates and other vital opening details.