Popular Vicksburg restaurant Walnut Hills got the green light Tuesday from the Vicksburg Board of Architectural Review to expand the Adams Street restaurant to the north by 1,200 square feet.

Representing owners Joyce and Dr. Robert Clingan, Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation Director Nancy Bell said the new addition will be used as a kitchen and bathroom area. The restaurant’s bar will be retrofitted into the existing kitchen, she said, clearing the way for a larger dining area.

The addition — which the Clingans said they hope to complete by the fall — will overtake a driveway currently used as the restaurant entrance, so the current exit south of the restaurant will be used as the new entrance once the expansion is complete. The new exit will be out the rear of the property onto China Street.

Operating in an old home at 1214 Adams St., Walnut Hills is marking its 30th year in business. The restaurant was opened by Kim Ferris, a lifelong Vicksburg resident. It is known for standard Southern fare such as fried chicken, chicken-fried steak, mustard greens and okra served in three dining areas that include Lazy Susan-type round tables.

Joyce Clingan took over the restaurant in 1995 with a partner whose interest she later purchased. Most recently, a sale of the restaurant announced in October to Vicksburg caterers Barry Palmertree and John Boland fell through.

The board also gave the restaurant permission to re-roof the existing building, remove a walk-in cooler and add lighting in the parking lot. All items were approved unanimously. Board members present were Troy Weeks, Thurman Nelson, Charlie Gholson, Betty Bullard and Tom Pharr. Also Tuesday, the board:

• OK’d a 150-day stay of demolition on a home at 1216 Cherry St., owned by Jamal Khouri. A 150-day stay granted Feb. 23 expired Aug. 22. No one showed up to represent the property or lobby the board for demolition approval.

• OK’d the July 27 meeting minutes.