News Summary
Mountain Top Marine, a family-owned boat dealership in Lexington, SC, is closing after significant revenue loss caused by damage from a nearby road improvement project. The project, managed by Blythe Construction, resulted in devastating impacts to the dealership’s inventory, leading to costly repairs and emotional turmoil for the owners. Despite attempts to communicate with contractors and file insurance claims, the situation remains unresolved, highlighting the vulnerabilities of small businesses during unforeseen developments.
Lexington, South Carolina – Mountain Top Marine, a small family-owned boat dealership that has served the local community for over 16 years, is set to close its doors due to significant revenue loss linked to damages incurred during a nearby road improvement project. The dealership, owned by Sean and Summer Deese, has faced devastating effects resulting from asphalt and road debris that have damaged more than 60 boats, impacting an estimated 90% of their upholstery, carpeting, and seating.
The road project commenced on April 29, focusing on asphalt rehabilitation and drainage improvements. Running from Northside Baptist Church to S.C. 6, the project, managed by Blythe Construction with Griffin Contracting as the subcontractor, has sparked frustration for the Deese family. They claimed they received no prior notice regarding the undertaking, which took place right outside their business premises.
In response to the damage, Sean Deese has made multiple attempts to contact both contractors but has experienced minimal communication. The distressing situation has pushed Mountain Top Marine to list their 5.5 acres of property, spanning three parcels, for sale. Deese described this difficult decision as feeling “stuck in purgatory,” highlighting the emotional toll of the business’ decline.
The fallout from the road project has left the majority of Mountain Top Marine’s inventory in disarray, with extensive staining and damage that would require costly repairs. Following weeks of unsuccessful efforts to reach the contractors, Deese filed a claim with his insurance company, which subsequently dispatched an adjuster to assess the situation. The adjuster spent a full day documenting the extent of the damage and taking photographs of the affected boats.
Currently, Mountain Top Marine is in the process of supplying further information to the insurance company in support of the claim. While Deese expressed appreciation for the thoroughness of his insurance company, he voiced frustration over the lack of responses from the contractors involved in the road project.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has investigated the incident following Deese’s claim. However, SCDOT confirmed that it would deny Mountain Top Marine’s claim, redirecting the responsibility and communication back to the contractors. Attempts to reach Blythe Construction for comment on the situation have not yielded any responses to date.
As the situation unfolds, Mountain Top Marine continues to provide essential boat services, but these profits alone are insufficient to sustain the business during the off-peak months. The Deese family finds themselves grappling with uncertainty about their future, expressing concern that there appears to be no resolution in sight.
Since its establishment, Mountain Top Marine has been a fixture in the Lexington County community, but the impending closure serves as a somber reminder of how external factors can drastically affect small businesses. The circumstances surrounding this closure highlight the need for improved communication and responsibility from contractors involved in public works projects to prevent the loss of local enterprises.
As the Deese family prepares for the next steps, the implications of their struggles resonate not only within their business but also throughout the local community, underscoring the challenges faced by small businesses in the wake of unforeseen developments.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Lexington County Faces Small Business Closure Amid Road Project Damage
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Mountain Top Marine in Lexington County Faces Closure
Additional Resources
- WIS TV: Lexington Small Business Plans to Shut Down
- Wikipedia: Lexington, South Carolina
- Columbia Business Report: Ember Restaurant Opening in Lexington
- Google Search: Lexington South Carolina
- Greenville Business Magazine: Techo-Bloc Selects Lexington County
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lexington County
- Cola Daily: Alltape Investing in Lexington County
- Google News: Lexington Small Business News
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.
