Benjamin “Ben” Rennolds of Urbanna has recently purchased the commercial property located at 55 Cross St. in the heart of Urbanna’s historic district and will hold a “soft” grand opening on Friday and Saturday at the Urbanna Oyster Festival, featuring his Rappanna Clothing Company and seafood market.
Rennolds clothing brand “Choice of the Chesapeake” speaks of the legacy of Virginia watermen and the state’s seafood industry. He is the great-grandson of once seafood giant and a longtime member of the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors the late J.W. “Buster” Ferguson Sr. Until it closed in the 1980s, the Remlik firm of J.W. Ferguson Seafood Co Inc. operated one of the largest oyster shucking houses in the country.
“Being born and raised in Urbanna and being able to come back home was so important to me,” said Rennolds. “Working hard these last five years and being able to purchase this great spot from Mr. and Mrs. Hingley is a dream come true for me!
