Time Square 's New Thrones

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

21 Nov 2006 08:59 PM

Have you ever been to New York's Times Square? Have you ever been to Times Square with a full bladder? I have... and it wasn't pretty. If you've been in a similar situation in Times Square you know not that it is not possible to simply run into the nearest building in search of a restroom. Most buildings have guards that don't allow anyone besides residents and workers in the building-no matter what. Needless to say, when I heard about the Times Square's newest addition my years perked up.

News reports call it a "public relations extravaganza that just begged for potty humor." Basically, a toilet-paper company has rolled out some fashionable new public thrones in Times Square, just in time for the busy holiday season. It's currently being touted as of the most visited tourist attractions in the Big Apple... and it's hard to miss: a huge, glowing blue sign bearing the word "Restrooms" and an arrow pointing down.

"You put in a bar in this place and we'd really rock," said actress Doris Roberts, from television's "Everybody Loves Raymond." The Emmy-award winner was crowned Charmin's "Queen of the Throne." According to news reports, Roberts recently snipped a white toilet paper ribbon with jumbo scissors before commencing with the ceremonial first flush.

The actress may have been one of the first to use the facilities, but you don't have to be a member of Hollywood's royalty to use the new thrones. The new restrooms are open to the public and are creating long lines. But, the people from Charmin have got that covered too. While you are waiting to use one of the 20 stalls you can take the escalators upstairs to a waiting room with flat-screen TVs, a fireplace, a kids' mini-dance floor and plush white couches. Once you make it into the facilities you'll be met with white porcelain sinks and toilets, and a light overhead that tells you when a stall is open. There are even theme rooms: Times Square, Wall Street - and, of course, the one devoted to Roberts.

Need directions? Organizers have workers with cloth toilets attached to their jackets walking around Times Square and telling people where to go.

"We wanted to get our product into the hands of consumers, and we figured this was an innovative way of doing it," an assistant brand manager for Charmin, which built the ritzy john joint at a former bar in the middle of one the world's busiest intersections, told reporters.

Charmin executives said about 30 workers clean the stalls after each use. The Times Square restrooms will remain open until 6 p.m. on December 31st. A wise decision, in my opinion--I sure wouldn't want to have to clean those restrooms after the New Year's revelers depart.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger