Swanky Toilets Return to Times Square

Joey Fatone to make ceremonial first flush on Monday

What a relief! The free public restrooms operated by the Charmin toilet paper company in Times Square during the holidays have been rolled out for another year.

It's the third straight year for the 20 deluxe stalls.

The plush potties feature flat-screen televisions, attendants dressed in tuxedos and plenty of Charmin.

The loos are so luxurious that Charmin promises Times Square tourists will feel like kings sitting on their thrones before making their royal flushes.

The toilets were inaugurated Monday with a ceremonial first flush by pop singer and Broadway star Joey Fatone.

The bathrooms are a partial solution to the pressing problem of where to go in New York City, where there are few public facilities.

"Nice to have a clean restroom," New Yorker Sten Hallock said after using one of the new loos. "Where you don't have to spend half an hour in a restaurant waiting to eat just to use the restroom."

The stalls will be open daily through the end of the year except Christmas Day. For the first time, they'll be open on New Year's Day until 2 a.m. for the crowd watching the 2009 ball drop.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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