“Mine Passageway” Design Captures Victory in Cintas’ 14th Annual Contest
Minturn, CO/Cincinnati, OH – November 10, 2015 – America voted and decided that the Town of Minturn has the best public restroom in all the land. The restroom that resembles a passageway into a Rocky Mountain mine defeated a strong field of finalists in the 14th annual contest.
Officials in the Town of Minturn wanted to create functional art, and it took a committed team to make the project a reality: the local planning commission, town council, carpenters, public works department, concrete workers, steel artists and plumbers. The result is impressive “potty” for the town to celebrate.
As the 2015 winner, the Town of Minturn also receives a $2,500 credit to spend on Cintas services like restroom cleaning and supplies, Signature Series restroom dispensers, cleaning chemicals or wet mops for their restroom floors. The top three finalists win a complimentary Deep Clean of their restroom (valued up to $500).
“We’re excited to announce the Town of Minturn public restrooms as the 2015 Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom,” said Cintas’ Assistant Marketing Manager Jillian Bauer. “The town rallied together and showed the value of a restroom that’s creative and memorable for guests.”
Bauer visited Minturn on Tuesday, November 10 at 2 pm ET to present Mayor Hawkeye Flaherty with the 2015 award.
In the contest, which attracted thousands of online votes, America chose The Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire as the No. 2 place “to go.” Charleston Distilling in Charleston, South Carolina finished No. 3.
“Making the humble public restroom into functional art was both a design challenge and a joy,” said Janet Hawkinson, director of design and project management in Minturn. “We are gratified to be recognized for achieving that and for creating a project that reflects the uniqueness of the community.”
The 2015 contest attracted nominations from a wide range of businesses, including a wine bar, art museum, underground salt mine and a nursing suite inside a baseball stadium. Cintas selected the ten finalists based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements.
2015 America’s Best Restroom Contest Finalists
Charleston Distilling – Charleston, SC
Cibo Wine Bar – Miami, FL
The Fitton Center for the Arts – Hamilton, OH
Great American Ball Park – Cincinnati, OH
The Music Hall – Porsmouth, NH
OB Warehouse – Ocean Beach, CA
Perry Lakes Park – Marion, AL
The Salty Pig – Boston, MA
Strataca – Hutchinson, KS
Town of Minturn Public Restrooms – Minturn, CO
Minturn has now secured its place in the Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame. To view photos of previous winners, visit the America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame on the contest website at www.bestrestroom.com.
Cintas launched the America’s Best Restroom Contest in 2002 to honor businesses across the country that consider hygiene and style top priorities.
“This project is a lot of fun and also conveys a critical message that restroom hygiene matters for good health and good business,” said Bauer. “We look forward to celebrating our 15th year in 2016 and invite the public to nominate their favorite facility online now.”
For more information or to set up an interview, please contact Survey Editor Danny Rubin at 757-285-7617.
About Cintas:
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types primarily throughout North America. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, first aid and safety services and fire protection services. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
Cincinnati, OH (September 9, 2015) – What’s the best place “to go” in all the land? We’re about to find out! For the 14th straight year, Cintas Corporation will stage America’s Best Restroom Contest and ask the country to vote on a group of creative public restrooms sure to entertain.
Will the 2015 winner be a restroom inspired by “Alice in Wonderland”? What about a restroom that looks like a giant whiskey barrel? Or maybe the restroom covered in “The Far Side” comic strips?
This year’s top ten public potties will now compete for the coveted title of Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom. In addition, the 2015 winner also receives a $2,500 credit to spend on Cintas services like restroom cleaning and supplies, wet mops or Tile & Carpet Deep Clean.
“We’re excited about our 2015 finalists and expect a lot of friendly competition,” said John Engel, Cintas’ Senior Marketing Manager. “The contest also promotes the importance of hygiene and salutes businesses which strive for restroom excellence in both function and design.”
Voting begins now! The public is invited to show its support by casting a ballot for a favorite restroom through October 31 at the Best Restroom website.
The contest site takes visitors on a photographic tour of each nominee and encourages them to choose their favorite. Fans can also visit the contest on Facebook to post comments, receive updates and share photos.
Cintas will reveal the winner of the America’s Best Restroom Contest during a nationally publicized media event later this fall, and both the winner and runner-up will secure a place in our Hall of Fame.
2015 Finalists for Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom Contest
Cibo Wine Bar Miami, Florida
Cibo Wine Bar is billed as “big, bold and beautiful” – and the Italian eatery lives up to the hype! Located in Miami’s famed South Beach district, Cibo is a blend of old world rustic and modern industrial chic. Patrons can even watch chefs prepare meals at a 60 ft. open kitchen counter. The restrooms, the creation of Liberty Entertainment Group’s Vice President and Creative Director Nadia Di Donato, are stunning works of art. Guests are often intrigued by the faucets, which are mounted to the ceiling and activated by motion sensor. The restrooms also feature pieces from renowned artist Randy Cooper. “Liberty Entertainment Group venues are renowned for their restroom designs, and we are honored to be recognized,” said Di Donato. “This nomination pays tribute to the artists and craftsmen who dedicated themselves to this project.”
Charleston Distilling Charleston, South Carolina
A restroom inside a whiskey barrel? Believe it! At Charleston Distilling in South Carolina, which makes small batch handcrafted spirits, two restrooms are designed as giant wooden barrels. And the creative place “to go” has become a popular attraction for patrons. “The usual response is that people say the restroom is very cool,” said Stephen Heilman of Charleston Distillery. “The restroom is part of a lot of Instagram photos!” The custom woodworking of the “barrel” restrooms fit the atmosphere and décor of the distillery and its tasting room. So belly up to the bar and order a round – it’s a trip you won’t forget!
The Fitton Center for Creative Arts Hamilton, Ohio
Enter the restrooms at The Fitton Center for Creative Arts and step into nature – one tile at a time. The men’s and women’s restrooms were created by Cincinnati artist Jan Brown Checco as an homage to our relationship with the earth and the importance of conservation. In addition, students in the Fitton Center’s pottery classes and community members joined forces to create several of the tiles. In the women’s restroom take particular note of “Mother Nature” and the rainbows, flowers, seashells, fossils, colorful glass and clay tiles that comprise her face. In the men’s restroom the Greenman gives a nod to Hamilton’s Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer. The restrooms have become a big hit at the art center, and every tour begins with a look at the beautiful tiles. “The title of Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom would be a wonderful honor for the Fitton Center,” said Cindy Dingeldein, ASID, interior designer on the project. “What we designed is much more than restrooms. The rooms are hand-made, unique works of art.”
Great American Ball Park Cincinnati, Ohio
This baseball season, the Cincinnati Reds hit a home run…with moms everywhere! That’s because the Reds, in partnership with Pampers and Fischer Homes, debuted the first-of-its-kind nursing suite at Great American Ball Park. The Reds talked with local moms to identify specific needs for the restroom. You’ll find five comfortable gliders, changing stations, kitchenette with a sink, ice and refrigeration, lockers for storing items and flat screen TVs so mom doesn’t miss any of the game. Already this season over 3,000 moms and families have used the Pampers Nursing Suite and its restroom facility! “The Reds, Pampers and Fischer Homes are very proud that we have set the gold standard for a nursing area in a public space,” said Michael Anderson, public relations manager for the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. “As sports teams strive to add additional ‘family friendly’ features for fans, we have proven that this quiet place for moms to feed and care for their babies is one of the most popular spaces at Great American Ball Park.”
The Music Hall Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Take a long look at the restrooms at The Music Hall. Are you thinking “Harry Potter” or “Alice in Wonderland”? You’re not alone! The team at The Music Hall, a performing arts venue in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire which dates back to the 1870s, says the restrooms are like a trip into a childhood fairytale. That’s because, during a recent renovation in 2008, designers drew on the mysticism of Gaudi and the classic touches of the Tiffany style to create a fantasy forest of cast bronze trees, branches and vines, gilded Corinthian columns, elegant velvet settees and creative tile patterns. Now people stop by every day to tour not just the theater but the restrooms too! “We are excited to be part of Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom because we’ve put a lot of blood, sweat and tears to create a magical experience for our patrons,” said Michael Tucker, director of operations at The Music Hall. “It would be great to win this award to showcase all of the hard work we’ve put into our massive renovation project.”
OB Warehouse Ocean Beach, California
At OB Warehouse World Food and Bar in Ocean Beach near San Diego, old meets new as vintage artifacts blend seamlessly with modern, industrial design. It’s the vision of designer Philippe Beltran who created the entire restaurant (restrooms included) to trigger “a reaction that will make people remember their experience.” The OB Warehouse restrooms are a sight to behold with retro, hand-held vintage mirrors, oil cans and tools like vintage plumber pipe, a wrench and metal letter stamps which read OB Warehouse over the men’s urinal. Many of the items are encased in glass behind large concrete sinks. All the building materials are recycled from other buildings either in San Diego or locales around the world. “From the day we opened our doors last year, guests have taken pictures of our restrooms and asked to see the opposite sex restroom, so we give them tours,” said General Manager Yami Bryan. “We are excited to be included in this great contest.”
Perry Lakes Park Marion, Alabama
On a stroll through the woods, the LAST thing you’d expect is a fifty-foot tall restroom in the clearing. But at Perry Lakes Park near Marion, Alabama, that’s exactly what you’ll find! The fifty-foot structure (known as “Tall toilet”) is part of a three-restroom complex built in 2003 by architecture students at Auburn University Rural Studio. In addition to “Tall toilet,” the students constructed “Long toilet” with long walls that frame a tree and “Mount toilet,” which sits atop the septic system for the restroom complex. All three use durable and local materials – a mix of cypress and locally-milled cedar along with anodized aluminum, stainless steel and concrete. “Winning the title of Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom would be an incredible honor for the Perry County community,” said Andrew Freear, director of Auburn University Rural Studio. “We hope to expose more people to the natural beauty of central West Alabama.”
The Salty Pig Boston, Massachusetts
Are you a fan of “The Far Side” comic strip? Then you’re in for a real treat at The Salty Pig in Boston! Owners Jim Cochener and Mike Moxley plastered the restroom walls with “The Far Side” comics. The restaurant, which serves house-made charcuterie, pizza and pasta, has also created a buzz in the bathroom. Guests take “extra” time drying their hands so they can read the comics, and many regulars challenge themselves to read a new comic each time they visit. What would happen if The Salty Pig wins top honors as Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom? “I guess our waiting line would get even longer!” said Ines Lee Santos, general manager of The Salty Pig. “We are very excited to be part of the contest, and we love knowing that across the country there are many like-minded friends putting work into the details, including creative restrooms.”
Strataca Hutchinson, Kansas
Ever used a restroom underground? How about 650 FEET underground? At Strataca, the only underground salt-mine attraction in North America, the men’s and women’s restrooms are part of the museum experience. That’s because they’re both carved out of a stratified salt bed formed 275 million years ago! It took quite the engineering and plumbing feat to make the restrooms possible – it’s not easy to construct pipes, toilets, sinks and hand dryers that far underground. But the Strataca team had a vision and made it a reality. Now they often hear guests say “ooh” and “aah” and run to tell their friends about the incredible restroom facilities. “Winning the contest would provide public recognition of our team’s hard work,” said Gayle Ferrell, former director of operations at Strataca. “We have something here that is totally unique in North America – both our underground restrooms and our amazing, passionate staff.”
Town of Minturn Public Restrooms Minturn, Colorado
Founded in 1904, Minturn is rich in mining history and its new public restrooms reflect the past. The unique digitally fabricated shape of the men’s and women’s restrooms resemble an adit (horizontal passage way) into a Rocky Mountain mine. The concept is the product of several key players: the Town of Minturn, LaN Architecture – Monika Wittig, LGM 3d Studios and Noble Welding. The team came together to produce “functional art” that’s already captured community attention! “Our public restrooms prove how great it is to combine art, architecture and creativity. It changes moods, places and people,” said Janet Hawkinson, director of design and construction for the public restroom project. “It would be the best to win the contest and show the country what can be accomplished when everyone works together to create something truly memorable, as we did in small town Minturn!”
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Cintas Corporation (CTAS) accepted nominations for any non-residential restroom accessible to the general public online through the summer. Qualifying facilities were then judged and finalists were selected based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements.
Cintas Canada also recently announced its top finalists in the annual Canada’s Best Restroom Contest. Visit the Canada contest website for more information.
About Cintas Corporation
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, promotional products, first aid and safety products, fire protection services and document management services to approximately one million businesses. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol CTAS, and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
Popular Public Garden Captures Victory in Cintas’ 13th Annual Contest
Kennett Square, PA/Cincinnati, OH – November 19, 2014 – America voted and decided that Longwood Gardens has the best public restroom in all the land. After viewing its awe-inspiring “green wall” and eco-friendly design, the online public selected the venue’s restroom over a strong field of finalists in the 13th annual contest.
As the most visited public garden in America, Longwood Gardens is renowned for its grand horticulture displays. Now, the distinctive restrooms have become a national icon too. Along with the “green wall” outside the restrooms, visitors find etched translucent glass inside that provides natural light, reduces electricity and minimizes the need for light fixtures.
As the 2014 winner, Longwood Gardens also receives a $2,500 credit to spend on Cintas services like restroom cleaning and supplies, cleaning chemicals or wet mops for their restroom floors. All three top vote getters win a complimentary Deep Clean of their restroom (valued up to $500).
“We’re excited to announce Longwood Gardens as the 2014 Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom,” said Cintas’ Senior Marketing Manager John Engel. “The team at Longwood has proven it understands the value of a restroom that’s creative and memorable for guests.”
Engel visited Longwood Gardens on Wednesday, November 19 at 10 am ET to present Chief Marketing Officer Marnie Conley with the 2014 award.
In the contest, which attracted thousands of online votes, America chose Bowl Plaza in Lucas, Kansas as the No. 2 place “to go.” The Fabulous Fox Theater in St. Louis, Missouri took 3rd place.
“We are so pleased to receive the America’s Best Restroom award,” said Conley. “Longwood Gardens is about beautiful horticulture, being a good steward to our environment, and providing an extraordinary experience for our more than one million guests each year.”
As for the restroom’s famous green wall? “The wall has become a ‘must-see’ destination for our guests, many of whom may have never seen a green wall before and are curious about how we care for it,” said Conley. “It’s the only restroom with its own docents!”
The 2014 contest attracted nominations from a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, a retail complex, an outdoor restroom along a running trail and a children’s toy store. Cintas selected the ten finalists based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements.
2014 America’s Best Restroom Contest Finalists
American Girl Place – Chicago, IL Bowl Plaza – Lucas, KS El Centro – Washington, DC The Fabulous Fox Theater – St. Louis, MO The Grove – Los Angeles, CA Longwood Gardens – Philadelphia, PA Mai Kai Restaurant – Ft. Lauderdale, FL Plums Café – Costa Mesa, CA Tiki Lounge – Pittsburgh, PA Trail Restroom – Austin, TX
Longwood has now secured its place in the Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame. To view photos of previous winners, visit the America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame on the contest website at www.bestrestroom.com.
Cintas launched the America’s Best Restroom Contest in 2002 to honor businesses across the country that consider hygiene and style top priorities.
“This project is a lot of fun and also conveys a critical message that restroom hygiene matters for good health and good business,” said Engel. “We look forward to celebrating our 14th year in 2015 and invite the public to nominate their favorite facility online now.”
For more information or to set up an interview, please contact Survey Editor Danny Rubin at 757-285-7617.
About Cintas:
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types primarily throughout North America. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, first aid, safety and fire protection products and services. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
Historic Minneapolis Landmark Captures the Crown in the 12th Annual Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom Contest
Minneapolis, MN/Cincinnati, OH – November 19, 2013 – America voted and decided that Varsity Theater has the best restroom in all the land. After viewing its quirky design and furnishings, the online public selected the venue’s restroom over a strong field of finalists in the 12th annual contest.
What made the Varsity Theater the 2013 King of Thrones? It starts with the unique décor: ornate mirrors and curvy brick walls. Distinctive features include sinks operated by foot pedal and a co-ed hand wash area. Bartenders even serve drinks into the restroom on a back counter. For many Twin Cities residents, the restroom at the concert hall is as popular as the artists on stage.
“The team at Varsity Theater understands the value of a well-maintained and memorable restroom,” said Cintas’ Senior Marketing Manager John Engel. “What they have is more than a creative concept. It’s an effective business tool that keeps people coming back.”
Engel visited Varsity Theater on Tuesday, November 19 to present owner Jason McLean with the 2013 award. The theater has now secured its place in the Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame.
In the contest, which attracted thousands of online votes, America chose Portland’s Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade’s restroom the No. 2 place “to go.” Public Glass Bathrooms on the Square in Sulphur Springs, Texas took 3rd place.
Varsity Theater, formerly The University Theater, was one of the last vaudeville houses in Minneapolis and hosted minstrel shows, comedians and screenings of early silent films.
“The best restroom award is truly an honor,” said Jason McLean, Varsity Theater owner and general manager. “In an era when designers are so creative with public restrooms, we consider this award a tremendous achievement.”
As for the restroom’s fantasy-themed design, “I ask the audience to spend a short time immersed in a make-believe world, leaving their cares behind and yet in a social way,” McLean said.
The 2013 contest attracted nominations from a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, a hotel, an ice cream parlor, an art museum and a classic arcade. The ten finalists were selected based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements.
The 2013 finalists:
Business/Facility
Alex Madonna Gold Rush Steak House – San Luis Obispo, CA
Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade – Portland, OR
John Michael Kohler Arts Center – Sheboygan, WI
Public Glass Bathrooms on the Square – Sulphur Springs, TX
Sloan’s Ice Cream – West Palm Beach, FL
Tampa International Airport – Tampa, FL
Varsity Theater – Minneapolis, MN
Viracocha – San Francisco, CA
Waldorf Astoria – New York, NY
Westfield Garden State Plaza – Paramus, NJ
To view photos of previous winners, visit the America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame on the contest website at www.bestrestroom.com.
Cintas launched the America’s Best Restroom Contest in 2002 to honor businesses across the country that consider hygiene and style top priorities.
“This project is undoubtedly fun, but it also conveys a critical message that restroom hygiene matters for good health and good business. Proprietors recognize the parallel between clean restrooms and customer retention,” said Engel. “We look forward to celebrating our 13th year in 2014 and invite the public to nominate their favorite facility online now for consideration in next year’s competition.”
For more information or to set up an interview, please contact Survey Editor Danny Rubin at 757-285-7617.
About Cintas:
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types primarily throughout North America. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom cleaning and supplies, tile and carpet cleaning, promotional products, first aid, safety, fire protection products and services and document management services for more than one million businesses. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
Cincinnati, OH- September 2, 2013 – When you’ve gotta go, these top potties provide sweet relief, according to the team of survey editors tasked with narrowing down the ten best restrooms before the Internet public picks its favorite this fall.
“Will America decide that the nation’s top toilet is indeed “functional art” inspired by an Italian masterpiece on show at a Swiss museum? Perhaps it’ll be the “Pac Man” potty inside the Pacific Coast arcade that prides itself on preserving the “golden age” of gaming? Or will one of New York City’s most luxurious loos, a sprawling sophisticated space inside the iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel, capture the crown to become America’s 2013 King of the Throne? We will soon find out as this year’s top ten public potties compete for the coveted title of Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom, the popular contest now celebrating its 12th year.
Voting begins now! The public is invited to show its support by casting a ballot for their favorite restroom online at www.bestrestroom.com through October 31 as these top 10 venues compete to secure the most votes in hopes of being crowned Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom.
The contest’s site takes visitors on a photographic tour of each facility and then encourages them to choose their favorite. The winner of the 12th annual Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom Contest will be revealed during a nationally publicized media event later this fall, and both the winner and runner-up will secure a place in the Hall of Fame.
2013 Finalists for Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom Contest
Viracocha /veerah-coach-a/ San Francisco, California
From the outside it’s an inviting, rustic looking boutique. Once inside, Viracocha’s quaint and cozy charm come to life beneath the high-beamed ceilings that house vintage clothing, antique furniture and other unique collectibles. Nestled in San Francisco’s oldest neighborhood, Viracocha is a haven for local artists, writers and musicians. This eclectic vintage store has become one of the Mission District’s most popular destinations – predominantly for its posh potty – which patrons say resembles a “Zen retreat” so magical you will wish you could live in it. Featuring vintage table lamps, a Victorian bath tub, and a cozy white arm chair, it comes as little surprise to locals that Viracocha’s ornate, spacious bathroom has been called “one of the top 10 places in the city to take a date” by several San Francisco bloggers and named as a finalist in this year’s America’s Best Restroom contest. “We regularly have to tell visitors to hurry up the tour,” joked store owner, Jonathan Siegel.
Alex Madonna Gold Rush Steak House
San Luis Obispo, California
You won’t be disappointed by the lavish décor of the Madonna Inn. But if you really want to relish in the lap of luxury, take a tour of the ladies loo inside the Alex Madonna Gold Rush Steak House. Designed to capture the same timeless elegance represented in other parts of the Inn, designer and co-owner Phyllis Madonna carried the colorful palette and patterns into the ladies room for a very pink, distinctly feminine appeal. The girly-chic washroom features carved-wooded stall doors adorned with tufted pink leather, an antiqued gold distressed-finished mirror, a dazzling ceiling chandelier, marble countertops, and pink embossed wallpaper with a gold leaf finish. One of the more notable design features seen throughout the Inn, and in this ladies restroom, are the signature native stone walls. Original photos of the Inn show the restroom’s stone walls being erected before any interior construction could begin.
Tampa International Airport
Tampa, Florida
Before blessing the budget to renovate Tampa International’s main terminal the CEO wisely noted that his airport restroom facilities “reflect the level of customer service provided by the business and it is something that people remember, for better or worse, so always make sure it’s better”. With 17 million passengers traveling through the Airport each year, that’s a lot of customer impressions. The 20 restrooms in the main terminal were renovated as part of the airport’s latest modernization project and were redesigned to provide a bright, clean atmosphere with a fresh, Florida feel. The restrooms feature automated, hands-free conveniences that exude a sanitary and modern feel. A family restroom, which features a changing station, bench seating and outlets for nursing mothers and guests with medical devices, is located directly adjacent to each set of restrooms. All of the high-end, quality materials used in the new facilities such as stainless steel, porcelain and quartz were selected for maximum durability and ease of maintenance. The focal point of each restroom is the full-wall graphic glass mural with a different image in each restroom. The murals were created from photographic prints that are floating between 2 panes of glass. The images were selected to depict scenery, animals and plant life all native to the state of Florida. Incorporating eco-friendly materials into the project was a high priority for the design team. State-of-the-art airblade hand dryers were added to cut down on paper waste. Lighting fixtures were replaced with LED lighting to reduce energy consumption while increasing the longevity of the fixtures. In addition, all of the toilets and urinals were replaced with low-flow fixtures reducing water usage by half.
Sloan’s Ice Cream
West Palm Beach, Florida
For ice cream fanatics, it may be hard to imagine anything more fantastic than a parlor filled with 47 flavors of your favorite frozen treat! But if you bypass the lollipops and licorice and beeline for the bathroom, you”re sure to find a surprisingly memorable sight – another of Sloan”s celebrated sensory experiences – its see-through bathrooms! When the restroom is empty the bathroom window visible to the parlor is clear, but once locked, a layer of fog blocks the view. Here”s the science behind it: sandwiched between the two panels of glass is a mixture of polymer and liquid crystals. A constant electrical current keeps the crystals in line and the glass transparent. But when the door handle is locked, the current is stopped, the crystals fall, and the glass looks clouded. Of course, you”ll still wonder when you take a seat whether or not it works! How”s that for sinfully sweet?
Varsity Theater
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Varsity Theater, formerly The University Theater, was one of the last vaudeville houses in Minneapolis and hosted everything from minstrel shows, to comedians, to screenings of early silent films. In 2005, the current incarnation of The Varsity Theater opened its doors as a vaudeville house for the 21st Century. The restroom, decorated with ornate, gilded mirrors, sassy text plates, and bricks laid as if by a drunken mason on bender, invites guests into an Alice In Wonderland-like grotto – to relieve themselves and re-live childhood fairy tales. One part old-fashioned powder room one part lounge, this restroom allows concert-goers to take a break in an area from which one can still view and hear the stage. Bartenders even serve drinks over the back counter into the restroom area, offering a VIP experience to every guest. The sinks were designed with shower head-faucets with a foot pedal operation, a la grade school restrooms. The lounge and hand washing area is coed, creating quite a social atmosphere, particularly when concert-goers are trying to figure out how to activate the sinks and they need to ask one another for the tip – use your toes. And of course, the women’s side of the restroom features four times as many stalls as the men’s side. In addition to hosting both local and national music acts the Varsity is a popular location for wedding receptions, private galas, and dream dates, coupled with dinner at their associated restaurant, Loring Pasta Bar.
Westfield Garden State Plaza
Paramus, New Jersey
Toilet availability, safety and sanitation are all primary concerns – but family friendly facilities top the latest toilet-related trends. When it comes to shared parental responsibility, especially in public places, this is more than a matter of “wee importance”. The bathrooms inside New Jersey’s Garden State Plaza are the epitome of family-friendly. The shopping mall’s two exclusive, newly renovated family lounges include private curtained stalls for nursing mothers, a granite countertop with multiple diaper changing stations, and bottle warmers. A comfortable common area features leather lounge chairs and loveseats, toys and a TV airing children’s programming. The lounges even offer private stalls complete with one standard sized toilet and a “pint-sized” potty, too.
Waldorf Astoria New York
New York, New York
It’s been said that using the washrooms in the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria has, by now, become a rite of New York. The landmark hotel was designed by architects Schultze and Weaver and dates back to the early 1930’s The lobbies and entrance of the historical property have recently been restored to their 1930’s era art deco interior. The ladies lounge, located in the Park Avenue entrance lobby, features an Art Deco staircase, an elegant faux fireplace with oversized marble vanity. You will always be greeted by the bathroom attendant. Each private stall is an inclusive bathroom complete with a toilet, marble vanity, porcelain sink with brass fixtures and Salvatore Ferragamo bath amenities. The space is finished off with unique, timeless light fixtures.
Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade
Portland, Oregon
This bathroom is downright Kool! When Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade reopened its doors to this renovated space in 2011, the video game-themed bathrooms stole the show. The premier arcade, dedicated to preserving video gaming’s “golden age” features 60 classic video games and 27 pinball machines. Portland interior designer Jessica Helgerson created the space by combining convenience features like touchless faucets, with retro-style arcade game graphics incorporated into the tile work of the floors and walls. The theme carries through to the mirrors by using a maze of small “pixel” squares instead of a single large surface, and even up to the ceilings where square LED lights illuminate the room. Custom designed and fabricated sinks glow with an ever-changing array of color powered by more LED bulbs.
Public Glass Bathrooms on the Square
Sulphur Springs, Texas
This small Texas town took a big leap back in 2012 when they debuted two all-glass bathrooms on their downtown square, the first of their kind in the United States. The pair of glass potties didn’t come cheap though. The masterpieces cost the City a pretty penny – $54,000 to be exact. But it’s all in the name of art. Make that “functional art.” Part of the inspiration for this project came from Italian art piece, Monica Bonivicini’s ‘Don’t Miss A Sec’ from 2004, which was on display outside an art museum in Switzerland. The structure was initially part of the overall exhibit, but when construction workers began using the glass bathroom, the idea of “functional art” evolved. In order for the illusion to work properly, the outside of the structure must be more lit than the inside. These bathrooms have no lights on the inside and in order to see at night, LED lights were placed on the outside of the structure, for the illusion to remain. Sulphur Springs has the only functional, permanent and code complying glass bathrooms constructed with one-way mirrors. Users of the facility can see out, however, no one can see in. The design includes a spacious wheelchair-accessible interior and a gleaming stainless steel toilet and sink.
John Michael Kohler Arts Center
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
The John Michael Kohler Arts Center is renowned for exhibits that feature art made from pottery, iron, enamel and brass. But in the bathroom? That’s right. The museum has six, artist-inspired restrooms throughout the building. The idea began in 1974 when Director Ruth Kohler wanted to show the connection between art and industry. At that time, artists around the world combined new technology and materials, including those from Kohler Co., the nation’s leading plumbing ware manufacturer. Artist Matt Nolen designed the largest restroom in the Kohler Arts Center. Known as Social History of Architecture, it features a floor-to-ceiling mural, complex paintings and ceramic art. Every inch of the room is full of color, from the walls and ceilings to the counters and fixtures. Admission to the Kohler Arts Center is free so stop by and take in the beauty…of a bathroom!
Fans can also participate by visiting the Best Restroom Facebook page, Twitter account and YouTube Channel to post comments, receive contest updates, share photos or upload videos; links to all three sites are on the contest homepage.
“Cintas launched the America’s Best Restroom Contest twelve years ago to raise awareness of the importance of hygiene and to salute those businesses which strive for restroom excellence in both function and design,” said John Engel, Cintas’ Senior Marketing Manager.
Cintas Corporation (CTAS) accepted nominations for any non-residential restroom accessible to the general public online through the summer. Qualifying facilities were then judged and finalists were selected based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements.
For more than 80 years, Cintas has serviced businesses nationwide and their clientele, who recognize the correlation between clean restrooms and customer satisfaction and retention. “It makes smart business sense to maintain the facilities in a restaurant, hotel or other public place as it undoubtedly influences a customer’s overall experience. Everyone can appreciate a clean, well-maintained and innovatively designed restroom,” Engel added.
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, promotional products, first aid and safety products, fire protection services and document management services to approximately 900,000 businesses. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol CTAS, and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
Texas Convenience Store Chain Captures the Crown in the 11th Annual
Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom Contest
Cincinnati, OH/New Braunfels, TX – America voted and agrees that the New Braunfels Buc-ee’s has a bathroom as big as Texas and some of the most spotless loos in the Lone Star State, making this pit stop perfect for any road warrior and fit for a king. With 83 toilets to choose from, guests even get their very own throne!
“Buc-ee’s brand of convenience stores knows firsthand that clean bathrooms mean big business,” Cintas’ Market Development Representative, Gary Gonzaba told onlookers as he presented Buc-ee’s co-owner, Arch “Beaver” Aplin, with the top honor during a media event this afternoon at the New Braunfels Buc-ee’s.
Buc-ee’s was a fan favorite in Cintas’ annual contest beating out the other top nine contenders to take the crown in this year’s competition. America voted Arizona’s Liberty Market the No. 2 place to go No. 1. Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago took third, and California’s Hollywood Bowl followed close in fourth-place.
The 68,000-square-foot service stop plays host to thousands of vehicles a day with passengers filling up on fuel, grabbing food and using the facilities.
“We invite everyone to stop in to try out our award winning restrooms,” said Buc-ee’s co-owner, Beaver Aplin. “Maybe Buc-ee’s will be our city’s new claim to fame, the ‘Taj Ma-Stall’ of Texas … a tourist attraction in and of itself,” Aplin said jokingly.
“Buc-ee’s has been a welcome addition to our community by creating new jobs and generating hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for our City,” said Rusty Brockman, Director of Economic Development at the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce and one of dozens of City officials who attended Monday’s award ceremony.
“At the core, this contest is intended to recognize public restroom facilities that ‘serve’ local citizens, and Buc-ee’s is the essence of hospitality when you consider it’s an easily accessible, family friendly, well-maintained, convenient and free facility,” said Cintas’ Senior Marketing Manager, John Engel.
Customers who have made a beeline for the bathroom at Buc-ee’s say this Texas-based business flushes the competition when it comes to clean. “You gotta see it to believe it,” said one Canyon Lake resident and Chamber of Commerce member who nominated Buc-ee’s for this year’s contest. “Not only do they have a great atmosphere, the restroom facilities are amazing…they are spacious, uber clean and there are plenty for everyone… I have even changed clothes there without worrying about yuckiness,” said Kelly R., a Houston resident who also submitted Buc-ee’s for consideration this year.
The 2012 contest attracted nominations from a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, hotels, concert venues, football stadiums, night clubs and museums. Ten finalists were selected based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements.
Thousands of votes were cast online through October, which produced the following results:
First Place: Buc-ee’s New Braunfels, Texas
Second Place: Liberty Market Gilbert, Arizona
Third Place: Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago, Illinois
Fourth Place: Hollywood Bowl Hollywood, California
Fifth Place: Lane Stadium at Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia
*Mie N Yu, an Asian fusion restaurant known for its elaborate decor just as much as its food, has closed after nearly 10 years on M Street in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC. Due to the closing, Mie N Yu is no longer eligible to place in this year’s contest.
Buc-ee’s and Liberty Market will receive the coveted America’s Best Restroom winner and runner-up plaque of recognition from Cintas and secure their place in the America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame.
Cintas launched the America’s Best Restroom Contest in 2002 to honor those businesses across the country that place hygiene and style at the top of their priority lists. “This contest is undoubtedly fun, but it also conveys a critical message that restroom hygiene matters for good health and good business and proprietors recognize the parallel between clean washrooms and customer retention,” said Engel. “We’re looking forward to celebrating our 12th year in 2013 and invite the public to nominate their favorite facility online now for consideration in next year’s competition,” he added.
For more information or to set up an interview, please contact the Survey Editor, Sabrina Zimring, at 757-338-7731.
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types primarily throughout North America. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom cleaning and supplies, tile and carpet cleaning, promotional products, first aid, safety, fire protection products and services and document management services for more than 900,000 businesses. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
For more information about Cintas products and services, visit us at www.cintas.com.
Cincinnati, OH – Will America’s next Best Restroom be the result of a multi-million dollar renovation to the nation’s largest natural outdoor amphitheater, and set against picturesque iconic Hollywood Hills? Or will Sin City’s most luxurious loo, a sprawling 2,000 square foot space inside Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, earn America’s popular vote? Perhaps it’s the charm of the Old World Style Craftsmanship found in the hand carved wood doors and oversized oak barrel sinks that are nestled inside Georgetown’s Mie N Yu Restaurant that will capture the crown?
We will soon find out as the top ten public toilets compete for the coveted title in Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom, the popular contest now celebrating its eleventh year.
Voting begins now! The public is invited to vote for their top pick at www.bestrestroom.com through October 26 as these top ten venues compete to secure the most votes in hopes of being crowned Cintas’ 2012 America’s Best Restroom.
The contest’s site takes visitors on a photographic tour of each facility and then encourages them to choose their King of the Throne. The winner of the 11th Annual Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom Contest will be revealed during a nationally publicized media event this fall and both the winner and runner-up will secure a place in the Hall of Fame.
2012 Finalists for Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom Contest:
Liberty Market Gilbert, Arizona
This antiquated grocery store has been transformed into an urban bistro that blends retro with recent to create a washroom space that sports a chic, polished style. Each of the five unisex stalls at Liberty Market —restauranteur Joe Johnston’s (of Joe’s Farm Grill) latest brainchild — reflects a personally inspired design complimented by a coordinating playlist to set the mood in each stall. Keeping particulars top secret until the final reveal, and working on a fixed budget, Liberty Market’s four owners and one of the kitchen brigade members designed one stall each to reflect their unique style. There’s an Italian adventure, complete with photomurals of vineyards, “Vespa” bikes and the Italian countryside. With punk rock on the stereo, there is a real men’s room featuring walls that are painted vibrant red and trimmed with black tile. A single urinal atop floors picturing tattoos and classic automobiles give the space a masculine roadhouse feel. With its porcelain wall tiles, kitchen gray floor tiles and white walls, the stall behind door number three most mirrors a master chef’s kitchen. The brushed metal fixtures accent this lavatory and the walls have the expected sharpie writing. Upon closer observation, however, one can see that the writing isn’t the usual mix of phone numbers and off color references, but rather recipes from Liberty Market’s menu. Don’t forget to look up or you’ll miss the collection of whisks, spatulas and strainers hanging from the ceiling.
Hollywood Bowl Hollywood, California
The Hollywood Bowl restrooms, recently renovated by the architecture firm Rios Clementi Hale Studios, serve an 18,000 seat outdoor amphitheater run by the County of Los Angeles. With minimal improvements made to them over the previous 30 years, the 14 restrooms were dark, dreary, and their design caused large lines to form during intermissions. Rios Clementi Hale Studios was tasked with making the restrooms feel brighter, more inviting and efficient. The renovated restrooms evoke the 1920s modern style of the Hollywood Bowl’s shell and stage. The primary color palette is a clean and simple white, with black and stainless steel accents on the walls, trim and ceiling. The floor of each restroom was painted a shade of green that was color matched to the Toyon tree, a plant native to Southern California and found around the Bowl. This color helps lead people in from the outside and also helps define the extents of the restroom. The design includes simple lines, pure geometry and sweeping paint accents that visually connect to the iconic stage’s arches. The combination of these curving lines along the walls and ceiling, and large round mirrors, help patrons see hidden areas where additional fixtures are available. In one of the largest restrooms, there is a green/red light system above the stalls to tell you if they are occupied. The restrooms were designed to save water and paper waste, with waterless urinals, dual flush water closets, automatic faucets, foam soap dispensers and hand dryers.
Gitane Restaurant San Francisco, California
In French, Gitane means “Gypsy woman” and it’s no surprise where designers drew inspiration for this restaurant’s bold Bohemian décor. The dining room space, swathed in bold wallpaper, fuses with luxe fabrics and romantic furniture to create a warm, eclectic and glam interior that integrates vibes from three decades — the Euro-themed 50’s, Hippie-Driven 60’s and the Big Bling 70’s. By juxtaposing the bold, black and white geometric tile design on the floor with soft, feminine prints of flowers and the female form, San Francisco-based interior designer Charles Doell brings a hint of the nostalgia and romance of the era into Gitane’s bathroom space. The traditional Farmhouse Drainboard Sink paired with vintage hardware and a Victorian Style chandelier adds a final touch of girly glam.
Mie N Yu Restaurant Washington, DC
The eye-popping blend of textures and colors continues cross-country to our nation’s capital where guests might mistake Georgetown’s Mie N Yu Restaurant for a Moroccan Bazaar. That’s because artists with CORE Architecture + Design infused accents of the Orient, like paper lanterns and lacquer-red shutters, to create a space with a true Singapore flea market flare. But patrons at this exotic DC diner have important choices to make besides what to eat. They must decide if they want their dinner in Turkey or perhaps Tibet because the Asian-fusion fare at Mie N Yu is served in thematic dining spaces that reflect its international flavor and are appropriately dubbed things like the Turkish Tent, Hong Kong Bar and the Venetian Lounge, just to name a few. But the journey is just beginning. Guests enter a whole new world with a trip to Mie N Yu’s unisex washroom, which is maintained by a round the clock attendant on weekends. The Old World Style Craftsmanship is carved straight into the rich dark wood that accents the face of each floor-to-ceiling stall door. The artistry continues at the communal hand washing station where four oversized wood barrel sinks face each other, positioned in such a way that invites bathroom banter. A rock lined copper basin complete with a rustic faucet sits atop each drum and completes this loo’s traditional look.
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago, Illinois
It’s less than a year old but this latest artistic addition to Chicago’s cityscape needs little introduction or explanation as to why it’s not a regular Radisson hotel. Just take a peek inside the lobby’s loo and you’ll see exactly why we say the North American debut of Radisson’s hip sister chain, Radisson Blu, has got it going on! Thousands of reflective glass mosaic tiles wallpaper the washroom from ceiling to floor, like a giant disco ball. UK designer Jim Hamilton brings perfect balance to Radisson Blu’s flashy, edgy space by integrating solid shapes with sleek surfaces, like white marble floors and countertops that are complemented by a series of ceramic vessel sinks. Designers carry in a touch of color by lining the vanity with fresh flowers. Radisson Blu’s bathroom, just like the hotel brand, is “inspired by design and driven by function.”
Walker Art Center Minneapolis, Minnesota
In 2005 the Walker Art Center engaged the renown Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron to develop a master plan and design for an expansion that doubled the size of the museum, adding new galleries, a restaurant and restroom facilities. The Walker’s washrooms have been given high marks by restroom raters and museumgoers alike that say the stalls are art forms themselves. With floor-to-ceiling glossy stall doors that starkly contrast the black restroom walls, the sleek, modern space is reminiscent of a first-generation iPod.
Vanity Night Club Las Vegas, Nevada
From the creators of Gitane in San Francisco comes Vanity Nightclub. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino plays host to this star-studded hotspot dubbed the most luxurious loo in Sin City by the Travel Channel. Carrying a scant $1.2 million dollar price tag and donning flat screens over the urinals and faux reptile-skin walls, the men’s room at Vanity is nothing to scoff at, but it’s the women’s room that wows. Situated in the heart of the Vegas strip this lavish lair spans 2,000 square feet and features eleven stalls and six sinks. But it’s the individual vanity stations, each separately lighted and paired with red-velvet cushioned seats that really get the gals talking! The porcelain palace is also flush with gold plated faucets, gold laced curtains and finished off with a custom-designed $40,000 chandelier made from 70 hand-blown glass globes. With a cocktail waitress making rounds in the restroom, we might just argue the life of the party is in this lounge’s loo!
Da Marino Ristorante Italiano New York, New York
Restaurant goers step off Broadway’s bustling city street for a taste of Tuscan paradise at Chef Pasquale’s cozy New York basement spot. Pasquale brings his unique twist on Italian and love for quality and freshness, learned long ago in his grandmother’s kitchen in Calabria, to Da Marino Ristorante Italiano. Well known for their authentic Italian cuisine and top notch waitstaff, Da Marino has played host more than once to celebrity guests like Mario Lopez, Usher, Sara Jessica Parker and Reba McIntire. Arguably the main attraction might be the bathroom, which captures the essence of the Italian Renaissance, rich with its traditions and artistic legacy, all within the four narrow walls of the women’s washroom. Guests entering through the hand painted door find a “miniature Italian sanctuary” on the other side, complete with beautiful stone inlay detail on the walls, authentic Italian art and sculptures. A tranquil running waterfall compliments the soft Italian opera tunes playing in the background. Twinkling colored lights and candles around the room glow in festive red for a fun finish.
Buc-ee’s New Braunfels, Texas
Customers making a beeline for the bathroom at Buc-ee’s say this Texas-based business flushes the competition when it comes to clean! Offering up some of the most spotless loos in the Lone Star State, the Buc-ee’s brand of convenience stores knows firsthand that clean bathrooms mean big business! The Battle of the Alamo may explain the city’s nickname “Something to Remember,” but outside San Antonio just off I-35 North in New Braunfels, stands a sparkling restroom facility that’s almost impossible to forget! It’s hard to miss the 60 gas pumps that mark Buc-ee’s newest 68,000 square foot store. Or the 80 soda fountains inside that sit beside to the 31 cash registers. But it’s the 83 stalls in this Buc-ee’s restroom that really impress! Road warriors who frequent the New Braunfels Buc-ee’s say this one-of-a kind rest stop is fit for a King. And with 83 toilets to choose from, you even get your very own Throne!
Lane Stadium/Worsham Field at Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia
Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium may be almost a half-century old but the restroom facilities on the Hokies’ home turf are sporting twenty-first century technology! Virginia Tech modernized Lane Stadium’s loos in 2010 by installing new digital mirror displays that guarantee a captive audience for both the college and its largest sponsors. That’s because stats show that the two sure-fire stops a fan will make during a sporting event is their seat and the bathroom, averaging 2.8 potty breaks during each game. The mirror itself is essentially a TV screen with two-way mirror glass over the top. Motion sensors at the base of each mirror detect when a fan approaches. This signals the start of an ad or short school message that plays for several seconds before it minimizes and rapidly retreats to a less prominent position on the mirror. When the screen goes black, the glass shows a mirrored reflection once again. University officials say this unique, cutting edge technology is a perfect fit for the research and engineering school which asserts in its slogan that VT grads “invent the future.”
Fans can also participate by visiting the Best Restroom Facebook page, Twitter account and YouTube Channel to post comments, receive contest updates, share photos or upload videos; links to all three sites are on the contest homepage.
Nominations for any non-residential restroom accessible to the general public were accepted online through the summer. Qualifying facilities were then judged and finalists were selected based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements.
Cintas launched America’s Best Restroom Contest more than a decade ago to recognize establishments that place high value on hygiene and style in their public restrooms. “The condition of the washrooms in a restaurant, hotel or other public facility undoubtedly influences a customers overall experience,” said Cintas’ Senior Marketing Manager, John Engel.
“It’s certainly had a positive effect on our staff, which in the end, affects business. Our and facilities staff are certainly the unsung heroes of the Museum, and this recognition was exciting for them–increasing morale. I believe that shows in their continued work,” said Emily Waldren, Public Relations Manager at The Field Museum, which took the regal crown in last year’s contest.
Successful businesses recognize the correlation between clean restrooms and customer satisfaction and retention. “Cintas’ contest salutes owners and managers who invest in the upkeep of their facilities because they know it makes smart business sense,” Engel added.
It’s not too early to start sending in nominations for next year’s contest. “Whether you want to promote your own business, or bring recognition to a favorite restaurant, hotel, school or other establishment that you believe goes above and beyond in the design or cleanliness of its restrooms, we invite you to send us a name and photo,” says America’s Best Restroom Survey Editor, Sabrina Zimring.
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types primarily throughout North America. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom cleaning and supplies, tile and carpet cleaning, promotional products, first aid, safety, fire protection products and services and document management services for approximately 900,000 businesses. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
For more information about Cintas products and services, visit us at www.cintas.com.
Cincinnati, OH. – Do you own or operate an establishment with a restroom that gives guests more than one good reason to “Go”? Are you the creative mind behind a public restroom designed or customized to integrate function with fashion or to bring personality into a space where you least expect to see it? Maybe you’re the client or customer who appreciates a clean, well-maintained and tastefully designed washroom?
We need your help finding the best loo in the land! Nominate a deserving washroom online today at www.bestrestroom.com. Ten finalists will be announced in August, at which time online voting will begin. The winner and runner-up will be revealed this fall and top vote-getters will secure a place in Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom® Contest Hall of Fame.
Worthy nominees will compete for a chance to be crowned 2012 King of the Throne in the 11th annual Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom® Contest and revealed during a nationally publicized media event this fall.
The contest is open to any non-residential restroom in the U.S. that is accessible to the general public. Entries will be judged on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements.
Cintas launched the America’s Best Restroom® Contest more than a decade ago to recognize establishments that place high value on hygiene and style in their public restrooms. “The condition of the restrooms in a restaurant, hotel or other public facility undoubtedly influences a customer’s overall experience,” said John Engel, Cintas Senior Marketing Manager.
“Participating in this contest was a great opportunity for us. If you have a restroom that you’re proud of it’s time to show it to the nation!” said Mark Mustacchio, Vice President of Don’s Johns Inc., a top 5 finalists in last year’s contest. “This contest not only creates national visibility of your venue or company, it creates pride in the work you put into your restrooms and sanitation. A contest like this shows your customers that you truly care about their experience,” Mustacchio adds.
Past winners and finalists, along with existing Cintas customers, recognize the correlation between clean restrooms and customer satisfaction and retention. “Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom® Contest salutes business owners who invest in the upkeep of their facilities because they know it makes smart business sense,” Engel said.
Chicago’s famous Field Museum gained national media attention for its spacious and family-friendly restroom design, taking first place in the 2011 contest. “It’s certainly had a positive effect on our staff, which in the end, affects business,” said Emily Waldren, who manages public relations for the Field Museum. “Our housekeeping and facilities staff are certainly the unsung heroes of the Museum, and this recognition was exciting for them–increasing morale. I believe that shows in their continued work,” Waldren said.
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, promotional products, first aid and safety products, fire protection services and document management services to approximately 900,000 businesses. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol CTAS, and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
For more information about Cintas products and services, visit us at www.cintas.com.
The Field Museum Wins 10th Annual Cintas “America’s Best Restroom Award”
Cincinnati, OH. – The finest restrooms in America are inside The Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois. So says the Internet public who cast online ballots in the 10th annual “America’s Best Restroom” contest presented by Cincinnati-based Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS), a leading provider of restroom hygiene products and services. High-resolution images of the winners’ facilities are available at www.bestrestroom.com.
The 2011 contest attracted nominations from a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, hotels and museums. Ten finalists were selected based on exceptional hygiene, style, public accessibility and usability. “The Field Museum is honored to receive this award,” says The Field Museum’s Vice President of Finance, Jim Croft, who oversaw the redesign of the bathroom. “Host to over 1.3 million visitors each year, the Museum strives to give visitors the best service and exhibitions; we also feel this about the amenities and we are pleased to offer our guests these unique restrooms.”
“This contest is undoubtedly fun, but it also conveys a critical message that restroom hygiene matters – for good health and good business,” said Cintas Senior Marketing Manager John Engel. “Cintas is proud to honor The Field Museum, and we congratulate all of our participants this year.”
Tens of thousands of votes were cast at the program’s website, which produced the following results:
The ceilings of The Field Museum’s two large family-friendly restrooms features artwork of a beautiful night sky, a calming image that also absorbs sound. The Museum’s two ground-floor facilities offer sufficient stalls and sinks, as well as eco-friendly automated water faucets and hand dryers. The women’s restroom has a special nursing room with a door, sink and small sofa for mothers. The restrooms also feature a family-friendly “tot area” with smaller toilets for its littlest guests. Additionally, Museum displays are featured inside the restroom for a fun, educational flair. The restrooms are cleaned every hour to ensure the facilities are in tip-top shape for the 3,500 visitors the Museum welcomes each day.
ForrestPerkins, the architect and interior designer for the hotel’s chic restroom uses light to reflect the evidence of motion throughout this elegant restroom. The hallway leading to the restroom is darkened with shadows of leaves, some blurred, some sharper, projected on the floor. Inside the restroom the walls ablaze with sunset tones of orange and gold. Mirrors above the vanity feature bird silhouettes that are lit and when a guest turns on the faucet, water flows in a sparkling red stream if it’s hot or a blue stream if cool.
This loo is sleek and modern with terrazzo flooring, glass-tiled walls and spacious, stainless steel stalls. An ingenious lighting system continuously shifts the colors of the space from cool blues and greens to warm golds and reds.
This regal restroom trailer was actually set up for President Obama during the 2009 Inauguration. It features granite counters and shelves, black marbleized walls, wood panel doors and a hardwood-designed floor. Climate-controlled heat and air conditioning also guarantees to keep guests in maximum comfort during their visit. The dual audio system not only plays soothing music inside for the visiting guests, but those waiting outside can keep up with the event on an exterior-mounted flat screen television!
The Field Museum received the coveted “America’s Best Restroom” plaque of recognition from Cintas during a special presentation today in Chicago, and secured its place in the “America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame” found at www.bestrestroom.com.
Cintas created the America’s Best Restroom award in 2002 to honor those businesses across the country that maintain exceptional hygiene with style in their public restrooms. Previous winners were:
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types, predominantly in the United States and Canada. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, promotional products, first aid and safety products, fire protection services and document management services for approximately 800,000 businesses. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS, and is a Nasdaq-100 company and component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. Fortune Magazine has consistently listed Cintas as a “Most Admired Company” in its annual survey for the past nine consecutive years.
For more information about Cintas products and services, visit us at www.cintas.com.
Public Voting Begins for Tenth Annual Awards Program Presented by Cintas Corporation
CINCINNATI, OH, August 1, 2011.- Will America’s next Best Restroom be nestled inside a 13th century Tuscan castle and winery in Northern California? Will it feature silhouettes of birds in mid-flight? How about a section of the Berlin Wall? These are just some of the spectacular images inside the ten public bathrooms that will compete for the coveted title of America’s Best Restroom, the popular contest sponsored by Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) and now in its tenth year.
The public is invited to vote for their top pick at www.bestrestroom.com through Monday, September 19, 2011. The site takes visitors on a photographic tour of each facility and then encourages them to choose their favorite. The winner will be announced this fall.
This year’s finalists for America’s Best Restroom are:
Finalist
Location
Restroom Features
Castello di Amorosa Winery
Calistoga, California
This restroom boasts hand-painted Italian-style frescoes. The sinks are custom made from travertine imported from Tuscany, Italy. The spigots reflect a common Castello theme of dragons and gargoyles.
Don’s Johns Presidential Luxury Restroom Trailer
Chantilly, Virginia
This regal restroom trailer was actually set up for President Obama during the 2009 Inauguration. It features granite counters and shelves, black marbleized walls, wood panel doors, and a hardwood-designed floor. Climate-controlled heat and air conditioning also guarantees to keep guests in maximum comfort during their visit. The dual audio system not only plays soothing music inside for the visiting guests, but those waiting outside can keep up with the event on an exterior-mounted flat screen television!
The Field Museum
Chicago, Illinois
With two large family-friendly restrooms on the ground floor, the Field Museum features sufficient stalls and sinks, as well as eco-friendly hand-dryers. The women’s restroom has a special nursing room with a shut door, sink, and small sofa for new mothers. The women’s restroom also has a large “Tot Area” with smaller toilets for our littlest guests.
Habana Outpost
Brooklyn, New York
The restrooms at Habana Outpost feature a glass roof over-head with hanging plants and the galvanized walls. The ‘green’ toilets flush with rainwater! Water is collected through a series of rain gutters and stored in a holding tank where it is filtered and then redirected to the toilets, saving thousands of gallons of water every week. Architecture students designed the system as part of a design program called Urban Studio Brooklyn which is part of the non-profit Habana Works.
The Joule Poule at the Joule Dallas Hotel
Dallas, Texas
This rooftop pool bathroom features an outdoor shower that uses beautiful blue mosaic tiles to depict others showering. The cool color choices are intended to reflect the clarity of blue water. The design is carried into the restroom, which features contemporary art, wood paneling, modern lighting and cloth hand towels.
Main Street Station Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada
A graffiti-covered segment of the oppressive wall that once separated East and West Berlin now serves an appropriate function in the gentlemen’s restroom in the main casino area, as it holds the urinals.
Ninja New York
New York, New York
Diners are transported back to a 15th-century Japanese village. And while their wait staff, dressed as ninjas, may have some lethal moves, it’s their toilet that will knock you dead in your tracks. This bathroom is outfitted with a control pad that operates seat warmers, a water spray (that oscillates or pulsates) and a built-in deodorizer and blow drier.
Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel
Arlington, Virginia
The use of light reflects the evidence of motion throughout this elegant restroom. Walls ablaze with sunset tones of orange and gold and silhouettes of birds in mid-flight.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Scottsdale, Arizona
This loo is sleek and modern with terrazzo flooring, glass-tiled walls and spacious, stainless steel stalls. An ingenious lighting system continuously shifts the colors of the space from cool blues and greens to warm golds and reds.
Snowbasin Resort
Huntsville, Utah
Snowbasin’s restrooms feature Italian Carrera marble, Barovier, Tosso & Moscatelli chandeliers crafted from bronze and crystal, floor to ceiling commodes, beautifully inlaid African Anegre wood and hand-painted walls.
New this year, fans can conveniently vote from any web-enabled mobile device. The mobile website is a fast and easy way to nominate a deserving restroom while on the go.
You can also participate by visiting the America’s Best Restroom Facebook page, Twitter account and YouTube Channel to post comments, receive contest updates, share photos or upload videos; links to all three sites are on the contest homepage.
Cintas created the America’s Best Restroom award in 2002 to honor those businesses across America that place hygiene and style at the top of their priority list. Proprietors recognize the parallel between clean restrooms and customer retention. “We like to think of this contest as an entertaining way of drawing the public’s attention to the very important issue of restroom hygiene,” says Cintas Senior Marketing Manager Rich Bing. “People don’t think about this issue until they walk into a poorly kept restroom, and then it matters. After that, the odds are they won’t be back.”
Over the last decade, this contest has attracted tens of thousands of voters. The 2011 winner will receive a plaque of recognition and a coveted place in the America’s Best Restroom “Hall of Fame” section of the program’s Web site. Previous winners were: