Six months after a fire destroyed his Georgetown, S.C. Buzz’s Roost restaurant, owner Michael Miller is back in business in downtown Wilmington.

The 15 S. Front St. Buzz’s Roost opened March 21, just in time to broadcast March Madness men’s college basketball tournament games on the restaurant’s 17 televisions, including a 70-inch screen and several 60-inch screens.

“I wouldn’t call us a sports bar,” Miller said. “We’re casual dining at a great place to watch a sporting event.”

The 160-seat, split-level dining room features full bars upstairs and downstairs. Front and side patios host another 48 diners.

While wings and burgers are popular, Miller noted fancier choices including blackened chicken tortellini and chicken stir-fry. The Lowcountry Boil with snow crab, shrimp, sausage corn and potatoes is priced at $17.99, he said.

Meantime, Shuckers, 6828 Market St., closed suddenly last week and the building is for lease via Coastal Realty Co. in Wilmington.

Husband-and-wife team Kevin and Amy Marksberry opened Shuckers in spring 2011. Reached for comment by email Tuesday, Amy Marksberry said she would be in touch about the closing, but she did not respond by press time.

WECT on March 28 quoted Kevin Marksberry as saying the restaurant closed as the result of a legal dispute over repairs to the building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning units, or HVAC. “Closed for business. No HVAC!!” was written on a chalkboard lying on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant on Tuesday.

Information at the Shuckers website stated that Shuckers' founders and operators Tim and Obie Martin “are partnered with” the Marksberrys. The Martins founded Shuckers in 1987, according to the website.

Shuckers locations in Wake Forest and Southern Pines remain open. The restaurants serve seafood, steaks, burgers, ribs and sandwiches.