Commerce Cabinet
Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea Has Best Restrooms on I-75

(Frankfort, KY) – The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea has the cleanest and best designed restrooms along the entire I-75 corridor, according to Dave Hunter, the publisher of numerous travel guides including Along I-75, Florida Digest and Dave’s Travel Tips – Ones That Really Work.

“We don’t say these things unless we really mean them,” said Hunter. “I’ve sold books and travel letters to millions of readers. My credibility is at stake here. I watched the building being built and the design is just fabulous.”

Hunter’s publications are primarily for “snow birds” that travel south from Canada and other states and head to Florida. He does not make it a regular habit to award such designations, but following an article on health, hygiene and germs in regards to traveling, he felt compelled to point out the design and cleanliness of the facility.

Executive Director Victoria Faoro of the facility, “Everyone involved with the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea works daily to ensure every visitor is provided a quality experience—a great building and a great introduction to the range of quality artisan products and cultural heritage experiences available in Kentucky.”

A year and a half after the Center opened, maintenance worker Pat Payne began cutting flowers from the property to place in vases in the Center’s rest rooms.  Staff discovered visitors loved finding fresh flowers, so Mildred Turner and Cathy Osbourne joined forces with Pat to refresh bouquets daily. In 2006 they maintained a special cutting garden, and brought flowers in from their home gardens as well to keep the rest room bouquets beautiful. Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea staff take great pride in making every experience at the Center a great one for visitors.

The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea’s 25,000 sq. ft. facility displays and sells Kentucky products made by over 650 Kentucky artisans and also provides visitors with a wonderful opportunity to experience Kentucky hospitality; explore Kentucky crafts & history; enjoy Kentucky cuisine; learn about other must-see places; and enjoy full rest stop services.

The Center began as a local initiative in Madison County, following the tornado that struck Berea in 1996, damaging a number of artisan businesses. Area artisans, legislators, city officials and representatives from Berea College and Eastern Kentucky University gathered to develop plans for an artisan center that would provide new visibility for their artisans and the products they create.

The building design and planning began in 2000, ground was broken in April 2002, and a ribbon cutting ceremony was held on July 30, 2003. The Center is expected to host over 250,000 visitors during fiscal year 2007.

The Center is open to the public seven days a week, 8am-8pm (Eastern Time). The entire facility will be closed during other hours, and all day to observe these holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.  There is no admission charge for visiting the Center. The Center’s café is open 8am – 7:30 pm.

The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is conveniently located alongside Interstate 75 at exit 77, just 40 miles south of Lexington, KY, and only 2.5 miles from downtown Berea, the "Folk Arts and Craft Capital of Kentucky."

Hunter’s books can be purchased at Barnes and Noble, Borders, Amazon.com and his website at www.i75online.com.

EDITORS NOTE: Photos are available by contacting Chris Gilligan.

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