Bennie’s Seafood, a US 29 business in Madison Heights, recently announced that it will close at the end of 2022, the year of the business’s 40th anniversary.
Jeanie Shelton, manager and daughter of the late business founder Ben “Benny” Taylor Dryden Sr., said in a video message on the business’s official Facebook page that the lot the store is on has been sold. Shelton said December 31 was the last day for Benny’s Seafood at the location between Sheets and Walmart.
Born in the Hamptons, Benny Dryden, who passed away in October 2018, grew up with a love of seafood and water. He was known as “Fishman” and operated in Lynchburg before opening his Madison Heights store.
In an earlier interview with New Era-Progress, Jeannie Shelton recalled that her father sold merchandise from trucks and set up shop at a community market in downtown Lynchburg to sell merchandise. This business features fresh seafood handpicked from the east coast or shipped fresh from the saltwater.
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In a video post, Jeanie Shelton said the business is considering operating in other ways.
“This is not the end of us. I’m not going to make it the end of us,” she said.
She appreciated the store’s customers, whom she had known since she was a child, and who were like family.
Store employees worked hard over the holidays to make sure customers got their oysters on Christmas morning, she said. showed a point of view.
“Maybe it will be a change for the better for us,” Jeannie Shelton said.
To follow our business, visit Bennie’s Seafood and Oyster House Facebook page.