Cheap Tricks: Potty Time

Jennifer Polanz

We know. Your employees hate to clean them. Technically, they don’t make you any money. However, one of the most important parts of your garden center has nothing to do with gardening: your bathroom. And not only is it vital to have one, but it must be clean. A 2011 telephone survey by Cintas Corp. showed 94% of people would avoid a business in the future if they encountered a dirty bathroom there.

That’s why for the past four years Garden Centers of America has held a contest to root out the top retail garden center bathrooms across the country. One, it’s fun to see into other people’s powder rooms, and two, the contest highlights the importance of these small, yet necessary, amenities. Without further ado, the winners of this year’s GCA Best Garden Center Bathroom Awards.

The top award goes to The Garden Mart in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. Here’s what judges said about The Garden Mart: “What’s old is new in The Garden Mart’s charming restroom, ‘The Potty Shed.’ Located inside the store, it takes on a rustic country design inspired by the trend of converting vintage outhouses into functional garden sheds. Items are merchandised for sale on shelves and counters made of repurposed pallets, crates and pavers.”

“Having a ‘captive’ audience allows us the opportunity to showcase product,” notes Belinda Abendschein, marketing specialist. “There are no paper towels or hand dryers in this bathroom—instead, ‘earth-friendly’ washcloths are made available to customers in unexpected places, like a dual-bucket-and-spigot fixture.”

Four retailers garnered Silver Awards.

Lammscapes in Jackson, Wisconsin, painted sunny summer colors in the ladies restroom to help sell the joy of the season.
Cornell Farm in Portland, Oregon, built its restrooms from the ground up, recognizing a need for permanent bathroom facilities to take the place of portable ones.
Flamingo Road Nursery in Davie, Florida, also has a freestanding bathroom for customers, including a separate family bathroom, and its brightly colored walls, beach theme and flamingos support the retailer’s tagline: “Celebrate Life in the Tropics!”
And last, but definitely not least, for the Silver Awards is Linton’s Enchanted Gardens in Elkhart, Indiana. This retailer chose a seaside resort theme for the ladies’ room and a fisherman’s paradise for the mens’ room.

Three retailers took home Merit Awards for their efforts. Cedar River Garden Center in Palo, Iowa, took the opportunity six years ago after a flood to revitalize its bathrooms with vibrant, handpainted murals. There’s a wetlands mural in the mens’ room and bright yellow sunflowers in the ladies’ room.

The Green Thumbers in Davenport, Iowa, opted for an elegant combination of gold, tan and brown ceramic tile to complement the high-gloss mocha colored walls.

And in the vein of a true before and after, Tagawa Gardens in Centennial, Colorado, transformed its dated restroom facilities into a showcase of decorating ideas for the front porch. GP