I could probably just let the owner's disingenuous, and perhaps a bit sarcastic, apology stand for itself, but feel the need to point out that the building code classifies commercial uses into Use Group Classifications, and an Art Gallery (Assembly A-3 Use Group, but permitted to be classified as Business when the occupant load is less than 50) is not in the same Use Group Classification as stores (M - Mercantile Use Group) or banks (Business - B), and post offices are federal buildings, which are exempt from state building codes. Perhaps there is some local amendment to the state building code (which is unlikely since North Carolina is a Dillon's Rule state), public facilities are required for all commercial occupancies. Regardless of the building code requirement (which is a minimum standard for sanitation, life safety, means of egress, etc.), it is so odd to be invited to an event (where wine and cheese is served), and then not being allowed to use the restroom. I had to wonder, do the customers not get to use the restroom after being served wine, or do the customers who attend an event qualify to use the restroom?
The facility we used was in the Visitor's Center, which is at the end of the road where you turn left and is halfway down that street (we didn't go to the other restroom that was offered, which is a portable toilet, because can you imagine helping a 3-year-old in one of those?!) When you're pushing a three-year-old in a stroller over gravely sidewalks, and she's asking the whole time, "Mommy why couldn't we use the bathroom there?" and saying, "Mommy, I gotta GO!" 50 yards feels like a mile. I still am very doubtful that it's only 50 yards--does it really matter how far it is? It was humiliating.
This was a day trip for us. We were considering coming back for our anniversary in October and wanted to scope out some places to look for art for our new home. By the time we got there our daughter had not had her nap and it had taken us 4 1/2 hours to get there with the wait for the ferry, and we were trying to make it back to the 6:30 ferry, so we took a quick walk around town, and I picked one place to stop since we didn't have a lot of time and wanted to swim at the beach on our way out.
We had told our daughter that she could pick out one souvenir, and this was her first time picking one. The owner's seemingly sarcastic offer of refunding $2 for an almost $6 purchase and an unpleasant memory of my daughter being treated rudely is unhelpful. Maybe they should consider raising their prices since the sarcasm (or if not intentionally sarcastic then at the least vulgar and classless move of putting a price on the refund in a public message) seems to imply that those $2 - $6 purchases and the purchasers are of little value to them.
I certainly understand that running a business is difficult, and there are so many concerns with theft being one of them, but it seems that there must be a better way to prevent theft than to be rude to paying customers. And if you're going to refuse the restroom, maybe at least don't give them an invitation to an event. It's just classless to invite people to an event that would be an income opportunity for the business, but not let them use the facilities. read more
