HATTIESBURG — Petra Cafe Greek and Mediterranean restaurant on U.S. 49 in Hattiesburg will begin its long-planned expansion in the spring after receiving approval from the Parkhaven Historic Commission and the City of Hattiesburg Planning Commission. 

Operations manager and co-owner Robin McGee said a completion date for the construction hasn’t been finalized, but she said expansion has always been part of the plan for the property. 

“The whole purpose of purchasing the building was so that we could do this expansion,” McGee said. 

They’ve been at this location since 2018. It’s the last of five former locations still operating. 

The project will increase seating capacity for both indoor and outdoor dining. Plans also include a second-level balcony, a children’s play area and a meeting room, according to a Facebook post from the restaurant on Jan. 15. 

The company plans to hire additional employees to support the growth. 

McGee said this will be the final expansion for a considerable amount of time, but that, space willing, there’s always a desire to make everything “bigger, bigger, bigger.”