KENNEBUNKPORT — Two public restrooms have been installed downtown in the tourist mecca that is also the coastal retreat for President Bush.

Until now, the only public restrooms in Kennebunkport were at the town hall. Merchants had sought such facilities for several years but taxpayers refused to spend public money.

This year, a downtown merchants’ group, GKCC Inc., decided to put up the $12,00 needed to build the restrooms, which are part of a new hospitality center adjacent to Dock Square.

The center, which requests a 25-cent donation to use the bathrooms, opened Aug. 11 in the annex of the 1790 Candy House. The facility will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer tourist season and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the off-season.