OT - Anyone ever go to Kurtz in Niagara?

[CJK]

It's a great tourist shop along the Niagara Parkway just outside of Niagara-on-the-lake. It has become a family tradition to ride our bikes from Niagara to Niagara-on-the-lake and stop at Kurtz for lunch or snack along the way. We were there yesterday and were shocked to see that you now have to pay 50 cents per person to use the restroom!!!!! I have never heard of that in this area before. We couldn't believe it! We refused to pay and just went somewhere else. Does anyone know how long they've been charging this fee? It's not the amount of money........it's the principle!!

 

[sammi]

That's awful!

We've been to Kurtz orchards many times and love to sample and buy their jams but I hadn't heard you now have to pay to use the washrooms? I hope they get tons of complaints about that rule!

I wouldn't pay them a penny to go there!

 

[misslissa]

Hi there...

Kurtz is great, isn't it? I know the Kurtz family personally and they are good family friends.

Unfortunately, they are a family run business and have had problems with busses stopping, and unloading loads of people to use their washroom. Sure, families stop and go into the business ... but, it hurts the bottom line.

This has driven up their costs in water, as you can imagine, tremendously.

It is a shame that some people do this, and don't even go into the Kurtz business, because it ruins the service for everyone. However, it is necessary.

If you have 40 people stopping in several times a day, several days a week, it is a problem.

In Europe, this is really common. And, in most places, you can expect an exceptionally clean washroom.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I'm all in favour of the measures Kurtz's Orchards has put into place. I've enjoyed their excellent products over the years but I've also seen the highway coaches pulling in to that very convenient spot along the Niagara Parkway just to use the facilities. The water isn't free. The staff required to maintain the washrooms have to be paid. Toilet paper costs money. Yes, it is the principle -- the OP is complaining about not being able to get something for free.

50¢ is a small price to pay for clean washrooms, stocked with toilet paper and soap.