News Summary
Mountain Top Marine, a family-owned boat dealership in Lexington County, plans to close after suffering severe revenue losses from extensive damage caused by nearby road construction. With 90% of their inventory affected, the owners are navigating a challenging financial situation while awaiting resolution on damage claims. After over 16 years of service, the Deese family expresses sadness over the impending closure and its impact on the community.
Lexington County – Mountain Top Marine, a family-owned boat dealership in Lexington County, has announced plans to close its operations due to severe revenue loss resulting from a nearby road construction project. The dealership, owned by Sean and Summer Deese, has been serving the community for over 16 years, but recent events have led to an unsustainable business environment.
The road improvement project, aimed at asphalt rehabilitation and drainage enhancements, took place near Northside Baptist Church and concluded at S.C. 6. During the construction, road debris and asphalt ended up covering more than 60 boats stored on the dealership’s property. This incident has resulted in approximately 90% of their inventory sustaining extensive damage, with affected items displaying a thick black coating on upholstery, carpet, and seating.
Sean Deese reported that he received no advance notice about the construction, which occurred directly outside of his business. Following this lack of communication, the owners found themselves in a dire situation where profits were only generated from boat services – a revenue stream that proved insufficient, especially during slower months.
The contractors involved in the project are Blythe Construction, with Griffin Contracting serving as the subcontractor. Despite multiple attempts to communicate with both companies regarding the damage, Deese stated that little information has come from either party. In response to the situation, signs indicating that Mountain Top Marine’s property is for sale have been placed at both ends of their 5.5-acre location.
To address the damages incurred, Sean Deese has filed a damage claim with his insurance company. An adjuster has already surveyed the affected boats, but further steps remain pending. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) confirmed that Deese’s claim would be referred to Blythe Construction and its insurance carriers, emphasizing that their involvement focuses on monitoring the claim and ensuring it is handled promptly by the contractor.
Furthermore, SCDOT has initiated an investigation following the damage claim, but Deese has expressed frustration regarding the ongoing lack of communication from the contractors concerning the damage issues. This situation has left the dealership in a precarious financial position, prompting them to proceed with plans to close their doors after years of service to the community.
Investments in the dealership over the years had aimed to provide a wide range of boating services and sales, fostering a loyal customer base that has now been affected by the unforeseen consequences of the road work. The Deese family articulated their sadness and disappointment regarding the potential closure, which would mark the end of an era for their business and its legacy in Lexington County.
As the situation unfolds, the Deese family hopes for a resolution that can mitigate the damage done to their livelihood. The SCDOT’s role remains focused on ensuring that the contractors address the claim adequately, while the community watches closely as Mountain Top Marine navigates this challenging transition.
The unfortunate circumstances surrounding Mountain Top Marine serve as a reminder of the potential impact construction projects can have on local businesses. As the road repair efforts reach completion, the ramifications for this particular dealership remain unresolved, leaving its owners contemplating the next steps for their future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Mountain Top Marine in Lexington County Faces Closure
Additional Resources
- WIS TV
- Wikipedia: Impact of construction on business
- The State
- Google Search: Lexington County business closure
- Columbia Business Report
- Google Scholar: Business impact road construction
- Charleston Business
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Small business closure
- Greenville Business Magazine
- Google News: Lexington County road project
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
