News Summary
Mountain Top Marine, a family-owned boat dealership in Lexington County, is facing possible closure after significant revenue losses due to damage from a road improvement project. Over 60 boats were covered in asphalt during construction, leaving the owners, Sean and Summer Deese, struggling with insurance challenges and limited communication from contractors. With 90% of their inventory compromised, the future of their business remains uncertain as they navigate the fallout from the road project.
Lexington County Faces Small Business Closure Amid Road Project Damage
Mountain Top Marine, a family-owned boat dealership located in Lexington County, is on the brink of closing its doors after enduring significant revenue losses linked to damages sustained during a nearby road improvement project. Established over 16 years ago by husband-and-wife team Sean and Summer Deese, the dealership is facing an uncertain future due to extensive damage to its inventory.
The primary issue arose when asphalt and road debris were sprayed on over 60 boats parked on the company’s property during construction activities occurring on April 29. Video evidence captured the contractors working on the project just days before the first news reports addressed the situation. Sean Deese, the owner of Mountain Top Marine, asserts he was not informed about the construction near his business ahead of time.
Impact of Road Project
The road improvement initiative involves asphalt rehabilitation and drainage upgrades, covering the area from Northside Baptist Church to S.C. 6. Blythe Construction is the main contractor for the project, with Griffin Contracting serving as a subcontractor. Despite the Deese family’s attempts to reach out for clarity and assistance regarding the damage, they have experienced limited communication from the contractors involved.
With the boats suffering from a thick black coating of asphalt affecting upholstery, carpets, and seating, the Deese family placed “For Sale” signs on all three parcels of their 5.5-acre property. Sean Deese characterized the decision as difficult, emphasizing the need for the family to “stitch their wounds and move along.” Currently, only a minimal portion of their income is generated from boat services, which is inadequate to sustain the dealership during off-peak seasons.
Insurance Challenges
In response to the damages, the Deese family filed a claim with their insurance provider, which included an inspection by an adjuster who documented the condition of the boats. However, there has been no follow-up communication regarding what damages will be covered, resulting in uncertainty for the Deese family about their next steps. Frustration has mounted as Sean Deese reported a lack of responsiveness from the contractors, while they continue to provide necessary information to the insurance company.
State Response
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has indicated that the claim for damages submitted by Mountain Top Marine was denied, placing the responsibility on the project contractor. Despite this, SCDOT assured that they will continue to monitor the claim submitted by the boat dealership. Attempts to seek comments from Blythe Construction have gone unanswered, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
Conclusion
As Mountain Top Marine approaches the possibility of closure, the challenges stemming from the road project highlight significant issues for small businesses navigating construction-related damages. With 90% of their inventory now compromised and ongoing communication difficulties with both contractors and their insurance company, the Deese family faces a crucial time in determining the future of their business.
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Additional Resources
- WIS TV: Lexington Small Business Plans Shutdown
- Google Search: Lexington County
- Greenville Business Magazine: Techo-Bloc Selects Lexington County
- Encyclopedia Britannica: South Carolina
- Cola Daily: Alltape Investing in Lexington County
- Google News: Lexington Small Business
- The State: Local Lexington News
- Google Scholar: Road Construction Impact on Business
- Dignity Memorial: Madhu Shrivastava
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.
