Delivering furnishings with a coastal twist

HURON TWP. — A small business is creating pieces of a tropical paradise on a major corridor. Since 2014, The Beach Life — located at 9505 Milan Road (U.S 250) in the greater Sandusky area not far from Kalahari Resorts & Conventions — continues to create and deliver handmade tiki huts along with coastal island bar tables reminiscent of the Florida Keys. "People that are up here and in the Port Clinton, Huron, Vermilion and Sandusky areas, they love the water," owner Mark Dantimo said. "These are the same people that go on vacation where I go down in Florida. So what does an outgoing guy do? Start building tiki huts in northeast Ohio. Nobody else is doing that." Dantimo said the business began as a hobby and love of all things coastal. What started as one homemade tiki hut for a backyard bar at his Medina home transitioned to a "business hobby" and recently into a full-fledged occupation. Beginning in 2022, Dantimo began promoting his product locally while honing in on the development of his tiki line. The Kenny Chesney and Key West enthusiast bought the Erie County-based location in 2016. It's where he displays the thatch-roofed island tables for passersby in front of his classic cars and vintage camper. "Everything I do really does have a beach theme to it," Dantimo said. "I have an old station wagon I'm working on at my house. That's going to be our surf wagon. I really do hold that vibe with everything, it's my happy place, man." The Beach Life offers island tables in 10 different beachy colors like Aruba blue and tropical lime green. "You see the oranges and the yellows out there, it just screams, 'Hey, this is fun, come hang out around here,'" Dantimo said. The thatch umbrellas draped over the plastic lumber come in natural Mexican thatch or a long-life synthetic alternative. Not too long ago, Dantimo developed his lowest maintenance unit, employing synthetic thatch and white stain and sealer, all on top of a composite deck base. He said this system adds additional value and eliminates maintenance. "Typically, it lasts for the life of whoever bought it. If you set it in the ground, it will probably still be there 300 or 400 years from now," said Dantimo, noting the plastic lumber's ability to withstand Ohio's harsh weather. Other than island tables, Dantimo also sells customizable high-top tables, pub and bar stools, tables and chairs and other amenities available to those dreaming of their own backyard tiki bar. Within the last year, the business has started manufacturing bar tops as well. Dantimo, the operator of his one-man show, preps all of his products by hand in a workshop behind the showroom on Milan Road. He then assembles the various goods in his customers' yards. He has also established a do-it-yourself option for tiki fanatics wanting to assemble the island tables and bar furniture on their own. During the past decade, Dantimo has built more than 100 different tiki island tables. He looks forward to the day when he has to expand and hire additional help in the future to continue to develop his business. "If you're looking to get a piece of the beach and the islands at your own home, you have to come here. I'm the only one that does it in the area, and I will absolutely help you get your dream space." People can visit thebeachlifellc.com or visit its Facebook page, The Beach Life LLC, for more information.