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TOMs footwear, known for the one-to-one model in which it gives away a product for every product it sells (namely shoes or eyeglasses), is expanding that model to coffee. Founder Blake Mycoskie announced the launch of Toms Roasting Co. at SXSW in Austin, Texas yesterday, explaining that they plan to give away clean cooking and drinking water. The company estimates that every bag of TOMs coffee sold for $12.99 will finance a week's worth of clean water for one person.
They plan to build cafe stores in South Korea, Dubai, Amsterdam and other international locations—more than in the US at first—but the first home grown cafes will pop up in Austin, NYC and Portland, Oregon. And on the other end, TOMs plans to work with Water For People, which develops and builds sustainable water systems globally. For more info and to buy the coffee head here.
· TOMs Roasting Co. [Official Site]
· 7 Smokin' Hot Guys Who Happen to Design Shoes [Racked]