(WXYZ) — No one likes touching a dirty door handle, especially at a bar or a restaurant. And as more Michiganders return to eating out, cleanliness is a top priority for both employees and patrons.
A pair of local entrepreneurs is working to make touching a dirty doorknob or door handle a thing of the past with a touchless door stop they've coined the "Toad Opener."
The device secures on the bottom of a door, and people simply use their foot to prop the door open.
It's not a new idea, but the pair said they've avoided some of the shortfalls of previous door stops, and in a time when everyone is concerned about germs, saw a business opportunity.
Co-founder of the Toad Opener, Nick Moritz said in just two weeks of selling their product, they've already sold 50; mostly to area restaurants and bars.
“There’s been similar products on the market for years, mostly geared toward bathrooms," Moritz said. “To install those, you have to drill through a door. And it’s very labor intensive.”
The Toad Opener is 3-D printed and secured on a door with a special adhesive, so it's easy to install and to remove.
O'Tooles in Royal Oak is one of the local restaurants you'll see the device.
"We have guests actually thanking us. And they’re like, 'Wow, these are neat. So glad that you put these in,'" said managing partner Robin Silveri
“It’s print to order. So as soon as we get an order, we’ll try to get them out within 24 to 72 hours, depending on how many you need," co-founder Clif Wells told 7 Action News.
The devices take about 2 hours to print and cost between $40 and $50 depending on the size you order.
Even after the pandemic, both Mortiz and Wells have hopes that their business will continue expanding; they said a Japanese distillery has reached out with interest.
“I think this is just going to be something that is just part of our lives. I doubt coronavirus is just going to go away anytime soon," Moritz said.
To learn more about the Toad Opener, click here.
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