Lexington County Boat Dealership Faces Closure Due to Road Project

Lexington County, August 23, 2025

News Summary

Mountain Top Marine, a family-owned boat dealership in Lexington County, is nearing closure after suffering severe damage due to a nearby road improvement project. Over 60 boats experienced significant damage from asphalt and debris, severely impacting the business’s revenue. Despite attempts to claim damages from contractors and insurance, the Deese family faces uncertainty as they consider selling their property and seek a path forward in these challenging circumstances.

Lexington County is facing the impending closure of Mountain Top Marine, a small family-owned boat dealership, due to significant revenue loss stemming from a nearby road improvement project. The business, operated by Sean and Summer Deese for over 16 years, has suffered severe damage from debris and asphalt sprayed onto more than 60 boats during the project, which they describe as a devastating blow to their livelihood.

The road project, conducted by Blythe as the main contractor and Griffin Contracting as the subcontractor, involved asphalt rehabilitation and drainage improvements along a stretch running from Northside Baptist Church to S.C. 6. Unfortunately, the Deese family received no advance notice about the road work, resulting in substantial damage to their boat inventory. The black thick coating from the project now affects 90% of their boats’ upholstery, carpet, and seating.

In light of these circumstances, the Deese family has decided to put their property, which comprises 5.5 acres across three parcels, up for sale. As the situation stands, Mountain Top Marine primarily relies on boat services for income, which has proven insufficient to sustain operations through slower business months. This troubling situation has forced the couple to take a hard look at their future as they continue to seek assistance and clarity from the contractors responsible for the damage.

Sean Deese has made multiple attempts to obtain assistance from the contractors since the incident, but has reported minimal responses. They have also filed a claim with their insurance company, however, clarity on covered damages remains elusive. An insurance adjuster visited to assess the damage, spending a full day documenting the situation, but the couple continues to provide necessary information to await a definitive response.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has since directed Mountain Top Marine to submit a formal damage claim to Blythe and its insurance carriers, after confirming on June 3 that their claim would be denied. This has added further frustration, as the Deese family must navigate the claims process to find any resolution to their unfortunate circumstances.

Now, as they wait for answers, Sean and Summer Deese describe their plight as being caught in a state of purgatory, facing tough choices without a clear path forward. They have expressed the need to move on and find a way out of this challenging situation.

Background on Mountain Top Marine

Mountain Top Marine has been a staple of the Lexington County community for over 16 years, providing boat sales and services from its location. The Deeses have built their business from the ground up, establishing a loyal customer base, and contributing to the local economy. The road project that has caused such turmoil was aimed at improving local infrastructure, but unanticipated consequences have left significant harm in its wake, impacting not just the Deeses but the community as well.

Impact of Road Improvement Projects

As municipalities often undertake road improvement projects for better traffic management and safety, the ancillary damage to businesses or properties can lead to challenges that require careful assessment and remedial action. This incident illustrates how infrastructure improvements can sometimes have unintended negative effects on local enterprises.

Key Points

• Mountain Top Marine is a small, family-owned boat dealership closing due to damage from a road project.
• Over 60 boats were affected by road debris and asphalt during construction.
• The couple faces a difficult financial situation with limited business operations.
• SCDOT confirmed a denial of their claim and advised them to pursue compensation through contractors.

FAQ

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Additional Resources

• WIS TV: Lexington Small Business Plans to Shut Down
• Wikipedia: Road Construction
• Columbia Business Report: Ember Restaurant Opening in Lexington
• Google Search: Ember Restaurant Lexington
• Post and Courier: Lexington Downtown Growth
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Business
• The State: Local News on Lexington
• Google News: Lexington County

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.