Poppy Pies Expands from Food Truck to Brick-and-Mortar Pizzeria in Belhaven

After finding success in the Jackson food truck scene, Poppy Pies has now opened a brick-and-mortar location in the Belhaven Town Center, serving up wood-fired pizzas to the delight of local residents and visitors alike. The new Poppy Pies storefront debuted with a soft opening on September 22nd, coinciding with the Belhaven Bright Lights event.

Elevating the Pizza Experience in Jackson, One Slice at a Time

From Food Truck to Permanent Pizzeria

Prior to opening the new location, Poppy Pies' food truck had been a familiar sight, parked just outside the Belhaven Town Center on Manship Street. The business, founded by Jackson native Gray Welch, started out with a catering tent and three portable pizza ovens, selling pies at markets, birthday parties, and weddings. After about seven months, the operation expanded into a food truck, allowing the team to accommodate a larger volume of customers.The transition to a brick-and-mortar establishment has brought several benefits, according to Welch. The new location, situated within the same building as Fertile Ground Beer Co., offers the convenience of air conditioning, a welcome respite from the sweltering Mississippi sun. Additionally, the increased capacity has allowed Poppy Pies to serve a higher volume of customers, further solidifying its position as a go-to destination for wood-fired pizza in the Jackson area.

Mastering the Art of Neapolitan Pizza

At the heart of Poppy Pies' menu are Neapolitan-style pizzas, a culinary tradition hailing from Italy. This style of pizza features a soft, light dough that is cooked at extremely high temperatures for a shorter duration, resulting in a crunchy crust with distinctive "leopard spots," as Welch describes them. The menu offers a variety of options, including the classic Margherita, as well as more unique creations like the burrata, sausage and onion, and the signature "Captain" pizza, topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, smoked gouda, cream cheese, Ritz crackers, green onions, and a sweet pepper glaze.In the coming weeks, Welch and his team plan to experiment with other pizza styles, such as artisanal New York-style and Detroit-style, further expanding the culinary offerings at Poppy Pies. The new location features a dedicated oven specifically for these innovative pizza explorations, showcasing the team's commitment to continuously elevating the pizza experience.

Welcoming a New Era for Poppy Pies

The opening of the Poppy Pies brick-and-mortar location marks a significant milestone for the business, which was founded by Welch nearly two and a half years ago. The name "Poppy Pies" pays homage to Welch's three-year-old daughter, Poppy, who has undoubtedly inspired her father's passion for the hospitality industry.Welch's journey to becoming a successful pizza entrepreneur was not a straightforward one. After initially exploring the corporate world, he quickly realized that his true calling lay in the fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled environment of the restaurant industry. His love for pizza-making was further ignited when he worked at Sal and Mookie's in Madison, just after the establishment opened in 2020.Now, with the new Poppy Pies location, Welch is determined to cement the business as the go-to destination for pizza enthusiasts in the Jackson area. He emphasizes the use of high-quality ingredients across the board, and his vision is to create a place that customers will eagerly add to their weekly dining rotation. Welch's ambition is to position Poppy Pies as a standout among the growing number of exceptional food concepts in Jackson, solidifying its reputation as the premier choice for pizza without compromise.As Poppy Pies transitions from a food truck to a permanent fixture in the Belhaven Town Center, the future holds exciting possibilities. While the food truck will take a temporary break, it will continue to serve at festivals and private events, ensuring that Poppy Pies' wood-fired pizza remains accessible to a wider audience. With an expanded menu, the introduction of wine and beer options, and the ongoing exploration of new pizza styles, Poppy Pies is poised to elevate the pizza experience in Jackson to new heights.