About York Harbor Marine
Harris Island, York Harbor Marine Dockside Restaurant and Guest Quarters
History:
The Dockside Guest Quarters and Restaurant grew out of humble beginnings as a small marina and guest house. In 1953, David Lusty purchased Harris Island – complete with a dilapidated 15-room house, circa 1891 – to build and operate a marina. During the summer of 1954, Harriette Sibley arrived on the scene to assist the growing business. She survived the summer and married David the next year.
Becoming a Maine Resort:
Visiting yachtsmen would often inquire about accommodations and hot showers ashore in the large house overlooking the harbor. After several lodging requests, David and Harriette decided to renovate the house and turn it into yachtsmen's quarters. This was such a hit that people were soon coming by car to stay on Harris Island. Over the next 20 years, the Lustys would have four sons and add a 90-seat restaurant and 4 multi-unit buildings to the property – bringing the room total to 25.
The Next Generation:
The Dockside is now in its second generation of Lusty family management after David and Harriette Lusty guided and nurtured their creation for 35 years. The third generation is not far behind, on any given day you will see the second and third generation working in all facets of the family business.
York Harbor Marine John Lusty
The Marina is run by 4th and youngest son John. In 2005 the Marina was the only property of the 3 that was not owned and operated by the family. At that time the lease ran out and the Lusty family decided to run the marina as their father had in the past. In 2008 John left his position (Catering Director) after 20 years in catering to join York Harbor Marine as the Sales Manager. Johns has his Captains License (100 Ton) plus all the formative years spent at the Marina with his father and a long love of boating making this a perfect fit. Years of experience and drive for customer satisfaction York Harbor Marine remains the heart of York Harbor boating. They are also the seacoast authorized Boston Whaler dealer providing the full line of whaler's boat, motor trailer packages.
Lodging Eric & Carol Lusty
The lodging is now managed by second son Eric and his wife Carol. They have been at the helm 27 years. They have three sons; Harrison, Connor and Ryan. Carol came to Maine to teach school after graduating from Radford College in southwestern Virginia. Eric holds a Coast Guard license for navigating large ocean-going ships that he obtained while at Marine Maritime Academy. Before innkeeping, they both worked for Cruise International, a Norfolk, Virginia based harbor cruise ship operator.
Dining Philip & Anne Lusty
The Dockside Restaurant is operated by third son Philip and his wife, Anne. They have two children; Meghan and Andrew. Philip and Anne have been managing the restaurant for 22 years. Philip earned his B.S. in Food, Hotel & Tourism from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Following graduation, Philip was hired by Hilton Hotels and relocated to Westchester County, N.Y. were he worked his way to Director of Catering. It was during this tenure in N.Y. he met Anne, who is a graduate of Siena College with a B.S. in marketing and has subsequently has earned her M.B.A. from Franklin & Pierce College. Anne too was employed by Hilton Hotels as a Director of Catering in Danbury Ct., a competing hotel! Now they are on the same team and have used their combined experience to develop a wonderful ala carte dining and catering operation.
