White Pillars in Biloxi

Fans of the old White Pillars restaurant in Biloxi have something to smile about. The landmark will be restored and re-opened.

The renovation project went before the city's Development Review Committee on Wednesday morning.

The owner, 84 year old John Mladinich, says, "You can't keep a good man down."

He's battled illness in recent years, but he's awfully excited about restoring his beloved restaurant.

It seems most everyone who's lived here long enough, has fond memories of the old White Pillars.

The White Pillars has been closed more than 20 years. Restoration plans include removing the front canopy and windows, making the prominent pillars the focus of the restaurant's front.

"It's going to be very similar, except for some changes. We're going to take the canopy down and expose the big, beautiful beams," said Mladinich, "That's what you'll see instead of the canopy, which we're excited about that. And we're adding another dining room to compensate."


He'll be leasing the restaurant to what he called a "national concern." Whoever that is, he said they don't want any publicity just yet.

There's no word yet on a timetable for when the restoration and re-opening will occur or the cost of the project.


Since I am not a native Mississippian, and not living down here that long, I never heard of this place before, but even the news reporters are glad of its return so it must have been very popular.