From the time he was a boy, Sullivan D'Amico has always been interested in business.
As a young man he once worked in a store for six months, without pay, in order to gain experience. He then found another job, and would often work 13-hour days for $5 a week.
In 1945 he returned from World War II. He was 27 years old when he decided to purchase a five-year lease on a small grocery store located in Dunbar Township, Fayette County.
From there, everything expanded. D'Amico is now the owner of the Pechin Shopping Village and Denbo Marina.
“When I grew up, I didn't have the opportunities that kids have today,” said D'Amico. “I worked hard, but nothing is really hard if you like what you do. If you don't like what you do, it can be tough.” D'Amico loves what he does. “This is my life,” he said.
Currently, at the age of 84, D'Amico is not yet ready to retire. He is agile as he walks around the Pechin Denbo Marina, observing the work in progress.
Located along the Monongahela River near the old coal mining town of Vesta Six, the marina has been open for eight years. It is capable of docking 200 boats. D'Amico plans on building 50 more spaces this summer. He hopes to one day have a maximum of 400 to 500 docks. "We are striving to have the biggest marina along this river within four to five years," he related.
The marina is equipped with gasoline for purchase, electricity, overnight mooring and ramps. Shade trees have been planted along the banks, providing a cool refuge from the heat. Boaters are welcome to walk or picnic in the area.
“I don't think you'll find a nicer place. These docks are the best on the river,” said D'Amico, adding that his marina offers the best prices in the area. "At $15 per foot, our prices are half of what other marinas charge to harbor a boat for the season," he said.
Roland and Donna Tremonti, of South Fayette Township, chose the Pechin Denbo Marina because of the low prices. “The prices are very reasonable,” they said.
The Tremontis have docked at the Denbo Marina for four years, and have only good things to say. “The docks here are very stable and easy to walk on,” said Roland Tremonti. “Everyone is very friendly.”
Most others seem to agree. “This is a beautiful marina. It has the best docks on the Mon,” said another boater, who has been docking at the Denbo Marina since it first opened in 1994. “The only problem is management. D'Amico tries to accommodate everyone, but he needs to hire more help,” he said, adding that avoidable inconveniences arise. “A couple of employees can't do it all,” he said.
Without doubt, the marina is lacking a convenient place for boaters to purchase food. The Pechin cafeteria-style restaurant, located next to the Denbo Marina, has been in a state of disuse for the past two summers.
D'Amico blames it on a lack of help. It is hard to find a responsible person to manage the restaurant for only three to four months out of the year, he said.
Worth an estimated $2 million, the Pechin Denbo Marina has yet to make a profit, according to D'Amico. “It is expensive to run,” he said. “Each dock costs around $1,400 to build.”
However, D'Amico is not worried. “Business is good. We're trying to please people. It takes time,” he said.
"When I first bought this land and decided to build a marina, I didn't think it would be this much work,” said D'Amico with a smile. “It is a lot of work, but I like challenges. I like trying to do what other people would not think to do.”
As if the marina is not enough work, D'Amico is also hoping to create a historic museum in the tiny former coal mining community. The museum would be filled with his private collection of antique cars and fire trucks. He has 145 fire trucks and more than 100 antique cars, including a 1932 Lincoln estimated at $32,000.
"I hope to have the museum up and running within the next couple of years,” said D'Amico, who shows no signs of slowing down. “I'm like a cowboy,” he said. “I'm going to die with my boots on.”
