New Jersey

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It’s been a while since my last post.  Work has kept me busy and distracted.  And now for a distraction from that…What better place to find distractions than Ikea?  I was there last week to pick up a shelf for my office.  I arrived at 9, when only the cafeteria is open, and after sipping on some tasty free coffee and flipping through the pages of the catalog, I made my way to the bathroom.

Design – 4 It seems there are parallels between Ikea and Starbucks (see previous post) when it comes to the relationship of their image and their bathrooms.  In spite of Ikea being known for their particular design aesthetic, it all goes out the window once you traverse that extra long corridor and push through the swinging doors.  On a long shopping day you could get confused and think you were in the TJ Maxx bathroom instead.

Cleanliness – 8 Again, at the start of the business day, all was fairly clean, though some corners were suspect.

Layout – 6 Expansive, but didn’t seem to take full advantage of it.  Men’s rooms never have perks.

Extra Credit – 9 Baby jump seat in the handicapped stall.  Instill crippling images into your child’s brain as they watch you on the bowl.

100 Ikea Drive
Paramus, NJ 07652

Do you like your drip coffee individually brewed?  Do you like to choose your coffee based on wine-like descriptions? Do you like to go to the bathroom after drinking your cup of El Salvadorian brew with hints of melon and berries?

Design – 2 Surprisingly none, since the front of house has enough personality.  The shabby chic table gives you something to put the key on, but that and the cabinet-doors-as-mirrors isn’t enough to overcome the trailer-ness of the space.  And yes you need a key to go to a high end coffee shop in Ridgewood, NJ.  Don’t ask me why.

Cleanliness – 5 Dingy but not disgusting.  Thanks to the key.

Layout – 7  Really wheelchair accessible, not just a tiny cramped room with a handrail.

Extra Credit – 10 If you are unhappy with the design of this bathroom but you answered yes to all three questions above, you can purchase this shop for $299,000 and renovate the place to your liking.

90 East Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

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Starbucks oh Starbucks.  Your measured affect.  Your Tony Bennet CD’s.  Your grande cinnamon mocha frappe lattes. Everything about you is so carefully thought out.  Wait for it.  Except for the bathrooms….

If I blindfolded you and led you to the bathroom, my money is that you’d guess you were in a highway truck stop.  And that goes for every Starbucks I’ve ever been into. Always a bit dank, missing critical supplies, its not my favorite.

Design – 2 Truck Stop Chic.  No connection to the Starbucks aesthetic.

Cleanliness – 4 How clean can a place be without toilet paper?

Layout - 3 Oversized one person bathroom, no coathook, ehhhh.

Extra Credit - 3 Your half caf soy macchiato capadaccio is 20 feet away.

51 Newark St # 1, Hoboken, NJ

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