Ritchie-Curbow Construction Company, Inc.

04/01/2026

With rising material costs Ritchie-Curbow is proud to announce we are switching to all Lego Construction. Not only will materials be cheaper but the plans are much easier to follow than the architectural and structural plans we are currently using. Also, instead of an hourly rate each employee is less than $10 for a one time purchase and our customer changes are much easier to implement! Call us today if you have any lego builds in your future we can help with.

02/04/2026

Out with the old and in with the new! Remodeling an older building can often be the best route, but sometimes it’s so dilapidated it’s best to just start over. That’s the case for the newest convenience store in Denbigh. 🚧

12/24/2025

We're hiring and would love to chat with you if you are interested.

Ritchie-Curbow Construction Company

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at Ritchie-Curbow! We’ve had a fun couple of weeks celebrating with our work family and we hope all of you have a wonderful time celebrating with your families.

12/16/2025

We received what is probably the coolest Christmas gift from the Lars Group! We just finished building them a new office and warehouse in New Kent and they sent us a tool bag full of chocolate tools and some delicious cookies. They were a joy to work with and we love the thoughtful gift!

11/04/2025

We had a great meeting today with Paul Pickel to discuss the new stained glass for the Adoration Chapel at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.

It was fascinating to learn about the craft and history behind stained glass making - the blend of art, light, and faith that will soon bring this new sacred space to life.

Big thanks to Paul for sharing his knowledge and passion for the craft. We can’t wait to see the finished work shine!

10/22/2025

Our Ritchie-Curbow team had a great time at this year’s CANstruction competition, hosted by the Peninsula’s AGCVA to benefit THRIVE Peninsula, an amazing local nonprofit fighting food insecurity right here in our community.

We might not have taken home the trophy (and there might have had one construction firm whose structure collapsed a few times — we’ll let them remain anonymous 🤫), but we had a fantastic time building, laughing, and supporting a great cause.

Huge congratulations to the New Horizons High School team for taking first place! Your creativity and teamwork were awesome.

We’re so grateful to THRIVE Peninsula for the work they do every day — from their community market that offers fresh food and household staples, to their financial coaching and home-stability programs. You’re making a real difference for families across the Peninsula.

And a big thanks to AGCVA for putting this fun event together and bringing our construction community together for such a meaningful cause.

Here’s to teamwork, good fun, and giving back!

10/21/2025

We're finishing up an office and warehouse for the Lars Group in New Kent County and we think it looks great! They were busting at the seams at their current office and are looking forward to moving into their new space soon!

10/16/2025

There was quite a buzz downtown this week! While our team was hard at work on the First United Methodist Church Hampton renovation in Downtown Hampton, we got word that our next-door neighbors at the HAMPTON STATIONERY building had some unexpected tenants… 🐝

Turns out, some honeybees had set up shop near the roofline. Never ones to bee afraid of a little challenge, our friends from JD Hammond, Inc (led by Elmo) suited up in full beekeeper gear and carefully removed just enough brickwork to give local beekeeper Nate Brauner (from Bee Haven Apiary) access to the hive.

Nate safely relocated the bees (no stings attached!) while Elmo buzzed through the masonry like a true professional. It was a sweet reminder that teamwork makes the hive work — and sometimes, construction calls for more than just hard hats and mortar (especially when its sticky work).

And of course, Nate wrapped things up with the perfect dad joke:

“What do you call a young bee after it transitions from the larva stage?”
🐝 A bay-BEE! 😄

Big thanks to everyone who helped keep this downtown project humming along. At Ritchie-Curbow Construction, we’re always happy to lend a hand — whether it’s bricks, beams, or bees!

10/01/2025

Once again, this year our front desk is officially haunted by the hardest-working skeleton in construction. Don't worry, he’s a bone-afide professional with a killer work ethic. Our “dead-icated” receptionist is holding down the fort and he’s working his fingers to the bone and is proving to be a receptionist with some backbone! What is your favorite fall tradition?

08/19/2025

The man, the myth, the legend - Joseph Ritchie. As the founder of Ritchie-Curbow Construction, he laid a foundation not just in concrete and steel, but in the lives and communities he touched.

It is with deep respect and heavy hearts that we share his obituary and remember the legacy he leaves behind…

Obituary for Joseph Carlton Ritchie

Joseph Carlton Ritchie, 95, passed away Sunday, August 17, in Williamsburg, VA. He was born March 7, 1930, to John Reynolds and Rose Agnes Ritchie in Newport News, VA.

He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years Kathleen Hillquist Ritchie, and their beloved dog, Gabby. He is preceded in death by three brothers: John Allen Ritchie, Robert Reynolds Ritchie, and David James Ritchie; and two sisters, Charlotte Ritchie Parrish and Nancy Lee Ritchie. He is survived by his son Joseph C. Ritchie, Jr. of Yorktown, and his wife Joyce Lutz Ritchie; daughter Joanne Ritchie Davis of White Stone and her husband Hubbard Ashburn Davis; two grandchildren, Joseph C. Ritchie, III and Kelley Ritchie Giannotti; and great-granddaughter, Brooke Diane Giannotti.

Joe attended John W. Daniel Elementary School, Newport News High School, the NASA Apprentice School, Newport News Shipbuilding Design School, University of Virginia Extension, and Armed Forces Extension School.

He served two years active duty in the United States Marine Corps from October 1951 to October 1953 during the Korean War. Joe was employed at Newport News Shipbuilding in piping design and at Dow Chemical in project engineering before entering the business world in 1973 with Gary D. Curbow, forming Ritchie-Curbow Construction Company.

Over the years, Joe became involved in a variety of development projects. Joe was a charter member of the Virginia Company Bank and served on its board of directors, executive committee, and loan committee. He also served on the board of the Girls Club, Mary Immaculate Hospital Board, the Virginia Peninsula Economic Development Board (Executive Committee), the Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport Board, the Virginia Aviation Board, and the Signet Bank Board.

Joe entered the political arena winning election to the Newport News City Council in 1970 and again in 1976, 1980, and 1984. In 1976, Council voted him to the position of Mayor, a role in which he served honorably for 10 years.

He was a prime mover in the initiation of City Center at Oyster Point in 2000 and was known for his strong support for economic development, including the growth and success of the Oyster Point Office Park. Joe was instrumental in the City being selected for the Army Air Forces Exchange Service 1 million square foot distribution center at Oakland industrial Park. He also played a key role in bringing Cannon Virginia to Newport News.

Joe was the first Republican ever elected to the Newport News City Council and the first Republican mayor of the City. His decade of leadership oversaw major infrastructure enhancements that laid the groundwork for future growth. In February 2025, he was among five former mayors honored at the State of the City address - a testament to the lasting impact of his service.

Joe ultimately left the construction business to his son, Joey, and intensified his involvement in development. The initial development of City Center at Oyster Point was initiated by Joe during the tenure of City Manager Ed Maroney. Joe remained on the board of the investment group from its beginning until City Center was sold in July 2016. He and his associates then acquired City Center in July 2016, with Joe managing the property until it was sold again in December 2021.

Throughout his life, Joe enjoyed golfing, boating, and traveling the world. He was a proud member of the James River Country Club, the Kingsmill Golf Association, and the Hilton Head Golf Club.
He will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to family, his service to the City of Newport News, and his love of life.

Visitation will be Tuesday, August 26th from 4-6pm at the Peninsula Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be Wednesday August 27th from 11-12:30pm at Hidenwood Presbyterian Church followed by a celebration of life at James River Country Club.

08/11/2025

Kassidy brought a very important consultant to our staff meeting today, baby Carson. His areas of expertise include smiling, melting hearts, and reminding us what’s really important.