The team behind Root Baking Co. is expanding their weekly Pizza Jeans pop-up pizza concept into a new restaurant and bar at Ponce City Market. Located on the second floor of Ponce City Market’s Central Food Hall, Pizza Jeans will invite guests to enjoy pizza by the slice and whole pies, cocktails, beer and wine. Set to open spring 2020, Pizza Jeans pop-ups will be held on Fridays until opening from noon to 8pm at Root Baking Co.

Root Baking Co’s Matthew Palmerlee will also serve as Executive Chef at Pizza Jeans, offering diners a choice of classic and speciality pies, a signature hoagie, salads and tinned fish. Guests can add seasonal toppings sourced from local farms to the red and white pizzas of the day, and pies can be enjoyed in house or taken to go. Root will make naturally-leavened pizza dough with freshly milled flour. For dessert, the kitchen will serve Italian lemon ice and sourdough doughnuts.

“To me, good pizza is simple: quality ingredients and really good bread,” says Root Baking Co. co-founder Chris Wilkins. “We’re trying to embrace the Italian ethic behind great pizza and anchor it where we are. Fundamentally, we think showcasing well-executed dough with regionally sourced ingredients and local flavor makes for a great slice.”

Behind the bar, Beverage Manager Drew Gillespie, most recently of Little Trouble, will serve a handful of creative cocktails – including a Spicy Mai Thai, a Black Manhattan, which subs amaro for sweet vermouth, and a take on a Jack and Coke that’s made with housemade soda and sorghum-based whiskey from High Wire Distilling in Charleston. The bar will also offer an extensive list of amari, beer – think Miller High Life – and thoughtful wines by the glass and bottle.

The neighborhood pizza spot will feature an eclectic design with blue hues, dark draperies and items sourced from Atlanta thrift shops. A nine-seat bar will offer full service, whereas guests dining at booths are invited to order at the counter.

While Pizza Jeans will take over a majority of the existing space, Root Baking Co. will continue to offer a counter service menu in a space adjacent to the pizzeria. Breads, pastries and vegetable-driven dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients will be available for breakfast and lunch. After ordering, guests are welcome to take their order to go or to enjoy within the Central Food Hall.