Less than two years after opening on Highland Road near Ruffino’s, Abbeville-based seafood restaurant Shucks! is shutting down its Baton Rouge location, the company says in a social media post.
“SHUCKS Oyster House is not renewing our lease at this location,” the company wrote in a recent Facebook post. “We wish to thank you and the entire Baton Rouge community for supporting us and our family of employees. Please look for something bigger and better coming soon!”
Shucks!, which still has a location in Abbeville, is owned by Bert Istre and David Bertrand, who deferred comment to Wayne Stabiler, the managing partner for the Baton Rouge location. Stabiler declined to comment on the closure or any potential future locations in Baton Rouge. It’s not clear when the restaurant will close or what will happen to its employees.
Stabiler announced less than two years ago he was moving his restaurant Le Creole out of the Highland Market Shopping Center and that Shucks! was taking its place. The shopping center is also home to Rue Beignet and Maxwell’s Market.
At the time, Stabiler said Le Creole would find a new home elsewhere in Baton Rouge, but a new location has not yet materialized. Stabiler also owns Little Village, Palermo and Stab’s Steak and Seafood in Central.
—Sam Karlin
