Blue Horizons Cafe

Blue Horizons Cafe

Bayfield, WI

Reviewed August 16th, 2004

In the yuppie class tourism town of Bayfield, Wisconsin you will find fudge shops, quilt stores, and hand crafted kitsch of every variety. But when you're done quilting, fudging and kitsching - where do you go to the bathroom? Blue Horizons Cafe, with its eclectic art, beautiful mobiles, impressive selection of used feminist and revolutionary literature, and hot cups of joe is also, ironically, the premier public dump spot for the restroomer on the go. A bespectacled, hip young worker was kind enough to give this reviewer a tour and a run down on the unique philosophy of toileteering, pioneered by the freethinkers at Blue. For one thing, in addition to the paper towels available Blue Horizons provides bathroom users with reusable towels made from old t-shirts, cut to uniform length, hand rolled and dispensed from a milk crate. The restroomer merely has to pick a clean one out of the crate, use it and place it in another crate beneath the sink to be washed and used again, making the practice sanitary as well as environmentally friendly. Anyone who thinks this is an irrelevant eco-hippie exercise should do what I did, and count the number of logging trucks that pass you by on the drive up to Bayfield. The few remaining old growth pine trees on nearby Madeline Island told me they think the t-shirt idea is a good thing. I agree.

In addition to reusable t-shirt towels, the two unisex, wheelchair user accessible restrooms feature original paintings that deploy symbols and hands in fascinating ways. In the one on the left, you also find an old fashioned sink with two separate faucets. Additionally, the walls are adorned with snippets of poetry and philosophy. Just enough to get your attention without overwhelming you. The walls of both restrooms are painted in soft yellow hues, highlighting the artwork and making your business feel less rushed and more restful. If all that isn't enough, Blue Horizons makes a point of noting that their restrooms are available to anyone who happens by, not just customers. Non-customers are encouraged to donate, especially if they use the facilities more than once. Esteemed statesmen Benjamin Franklin revolutionized American society with the suggestion that books ought to be available to the public for free. Blue Horizons revolutionized society by suggesting that bathrooms ought to be available to the public for free. Eco-friendly, art-friendly, people-friendly... and damn good coffee. Really, what more could you ask for?

- Justin Teerlinck

RESTROOM RATING: 9
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