EDMONTON, Alberta -- Cintas recently named the restroom of the Valleyview Shell Super Station, about 200 miles northwest of Edmonton, Alberta, as the winner of the 2013 Canada's Best Restroom Contest. Canadians cast thousands of votes online through Nov. 30, and the Valleyview location on Highway 43, with its eco-friendly design and "spotless reputation," took the top prize.
The 8,350-square-foot convenience store--the company has three locations--serves 2,000 to 2,500 customers per day with travelers stopping in for fuel, food and to use the restroom. Employees check the washroom every 20 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of traffic in the store.
"Customers appreciate that they can count on us for a clean place to stop and use the washroom," said store manager Blake Sparks. "People comment to our staff all the time about our elegant decor in the washroom and the importance we place on the maintenance of our facility."
Cintas' senior marketing manager Leslie Molin said, "Valleyview Shell Super Station embodies the critical message that restroom hygiene matters for good health and good business. We are proud to see that the Valleyview team goes the extra mile to keep its facility well maintained."
The restroom features solid alder wood doors with privacy glass panels. To give the ceiling a finish to match, the facility also features alder wood tongue and groove boards overhead. Recessed lights accentuate the tiled walls, which are divided by a stripe of smaller stone accents, giving this space a bright, clean feel. The sleek granite countertops and automatic stainless steel fixtures in the washroom offer an attractive balance to the warm tones of the Travertine floor tiles. Ornate carved mirrors and sparkling Victorian style semi-flush mount chandeliers finish off the space by adding a final touch of elegance.
"The cleanliness and energy-saving design demonstrates how the staff at Valleyview Shell Super Station goes above and beyond to appeal to their customers," said Molin. "We are excited for the opportunity to present the award to such a deserving establishment and dedicated team."
Cintas selected the 2013 finalists based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements. Canadian participants cast thousands of votes online through Nov. 30.
The Varsity Theater in Minneapolis won Cintas' America's Best Restroom Contest for 2013. Although no convenience stores, gas stations or travel stops were among the 2013 finalists, New Braunfels, Texas-based Buc-ee's took the top spot in the 2012 contest.
Separately, Texarkana, Texas-based E-Z Mart stores won in the cleanest restroom category in CSP's own annual survey, the 2013 CSP-Service Intelligence Mystery Shop.
Cintas Canada Ltd, Mississauga, Ontario, is a subsidiary of Cincinnati-based Cintas Corp. Cintas Canada designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs and provides entrance mats, restroom cleaning and supplies, tile and carpet cleaning and document shredding services to approximately 55,000 businesses in Canada.
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