News Summary
Mountain Top Marine, a family-owned boat dealership in Lexington County, is closing due to severe revenue loss from damage caused by a nearby road project. The Deese family, who has operated the business for over 16 years, claims that ongoing construction has led to damage affecting 90% of their inventory. With no clear response from contractors, they are left uncertain about the future of their dealership, which has been put up for sale amidst dwindling profits.
Lexington County – Mountain Top Marine, a family-owned boat dealership in Lexington County, is set to close its doors due to significant revenue loss after suffering extensive damage from a nearby road project. The business, operated by Sean and Summer Deese for more than 16 years, has seen its inventory compromised by road debris and asphalt sprayed during recent construction work.
The damage from the road improvement project, which was aimed at asphalt rehabilitation and drainage enhancements, affected over 60 boats on the dealership’s property. Video evidence captured on April 29 confirms that contractors were actively working on the project shortly before the initial reports of damage surfaced. This road project extends from Northside Baptist Church to S.C. 6, and the contractors involved include Blythe Construction and subcontractor Griffin Contracting.
Sean and Summer Deese have expressed frustration over the lack of response from the contractors regarding their concerns. The contractor has yet to communicate effectively with the Deeses and has not provided a timeline or resolution to address the damage incurred. The property, which spans 5.5 acres, has been posted for sale as the couple prepares for the inevitable closure.
The thick black coating of road material now affects approximately 90% of Mountain Top Marine’s boat inventory, deteriorating critical components such as upholstery, carpet, and seating. Sean Deese has described the current situation for his business as a state of “purgatory,” reflecting feelings of hopelessness amidst the ongoing damage caused by the road project.
In response to the crisis, Deese has filed a claim with his insurance provider, which has since dispatched an adjuster to evaluate the extent of the damage. However, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has indicated that the claim is expected to be denied, as they have deferred fault onto Blythe Construction and its insurance representatives. This lack of accountability adds to the uncertainty surrounding the future of Mountain Top Marine.
Currently, the only source of profit for the dealership stems from boat service operations, which is insufficient to support the overall business. This financial strain intensifies the couple’s urgency to seek a resolution and safeguard their livelihood. With no clear answers from the contractors or an established timeline for remedying the situation, the Deeses’ outlook remains bleak.
Despite these challenges, the Deeses remain appreciative of the diligence and communication demonstrated by their insurance company throughout the claims process. However, as they grapple with the pervasive damage and dwindling revenue, they are left to wonder about the future of their long-standing family business in Lexington County.
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Additional Resources
- WIS TV: Lexington Small Business Plans to Shut Down
- The State: Lexington Business Damage from Construction
- Dignity Memorial: Madhu Shrivastava Obituary
- Greenville Business Magazine: Techo-Bloc Selects Lexington County
- Columbia Business Report: Manufacturer to Enter SC Market
- Wikipedia: Lexington County, South Carolina
- Google Search: Lexington County
- Google Scholar: Lexington County Business
- Encyclopedia Britannica: South Carolina
- Google News: Lexington County
