Caleb Tillotson is busy preparing to open The Biscuit, a restaurant located in the former home of The Biscuit Company in downtown Vicksburg.

“It’s always been the dream,” Tillotson said. “I’ve always been in the restaurant industry, and that’s always been in the back of my mind, coming back to opening a restaurant somewhere.”

When the building was no longer in use after The Biscuit Company’s closure in 2024, Tillotson saw the opportunity to make his dream come true.

Tillotson’s goal is to pay homage to The Biscuit Company while bringing the new eatery it into the modern era with changes such as the restaurant being a non-smoking establishment. He is also working with a company to develop an app customers can use to order food and receive updates on events at the restaurant.

“We’re trying to keep the nostalgia from The Biscuit Company, but changing it just enough to where people know it’s not the exact same thing,” he said.

Tillotson also said The Biscuit will feature live music and karaoke.

“Anybody who knows me well and has been out and hung out with me knows I love karaoke,” he said. “So I will be one of my own best karaoke customers.”

There are also plans to decorate many of the blank walls with murals featuring aspects of Mississippi culture.

Tillotson’s right-hand man is chef Charles Smith, who will run the day-to-day operations of the establishment. Both Smith and Tillotson were born and raised in Vicksburg. Smith said he has been in the restaurant industry for about 40 years and was trained in culinary arts in New Orleans.

“We both want to pour into The Biscuit; however, at the same time, we want to pour back into the city of Vicksburg,” Smith said. “We want this to be that place. We always talk about the mantra of this being an experience. Don’t come just to get something to drink. Oh, yes, it’s got great food, but what about just coming and enjoying yourself?”

Smith and Tillotson are hoping to open The Biscuit in May.

“There was a good chunk of time where I was more nervous than excited because I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Tillotson said. “When (Smith) got involved, things really started to roll downhill…it’s got a lot of moving parts, but everything is moving in the right direction.”