TOMS explosion in Jacksonville

MelMel · June 28, 2012, 04:04:24 PM

Today I counted 4 students in my class wearing TOMS shoes. Yesterday, while at the beaches, I saw a handful of all kinds of people sporting them. The number of TOMS I ring up on a typical day at work easily outweighs any other item in the store. In fact, they are the top-selling item in the entire Urban Outfitters company (where I work).

So why are people of all ages and parts of Jacksonville all of a sudden wearing these shoes?

Perhaps because they are much more than a fashion statement. Every time a person buys a pair, another pair is donated to a child in need. The shoes were founded in 2006 and have since sold 1 million pairs. That means 1 million pairs of shoes have also been donated to children in need. That means this company has found a greatly effective way to give back to the world.

Though these shoes have such a great success rate, they are also difficult to come by in stores other than TOMS.com. But now, dozens of types are sold at the Urban Outfitters at the town center, which is the only other Urban Outfitters in Florida that sells them.

I can't count how many people come up to me delighted that we have TOMS in our store.

"We've tried to find them EVERYWHERE," they often exclaim.

We sell men and women TOMS, but children shoes are available on the TOMS website. Whether at Urban Outfitters, or on TOMS.com, the shoes come in a variety suitable for everyone. Some are vegan, some are wedges or boots, and some are even designed exclusively for weddings. Either way, the positive fashion statement has an endless appeal.

I'm thrilled to see such a positive trend expanding through Jacksonville, and I hope it only continues. Next time you're out shoe shopping at the town center, consider picking up a pair if you haven't already, because purchasing these shoes are better than any buy-one get-one-free deal you can get anywhere -- with TOMS, you are buying and giving one, and that's priceless.

For more information about the shoes, visit: http://www.toms.com/

Know another place in Jacksonville that sells TOMS? Have a favorite style? Or a pair of your own? Share it here!

finehoe · June 28, 2012, 04:46:07 PM

Adam W · June 28, 2012, 06:25:28 PM

Quote from: finehoe on June 28, 2012, 04:46:07 PM

They're hideous. And over, or a about a month or two away from being sold in Target.

simms3 · June 28, 2012, 07:45:21 PM

Quote from: MelMel on June 28, 2012, 04:04:24 PM
Next time you're out shoe shopping at the town center, consider picking up a pair if you haven't already, because purchasing these shoes are better than any buy-one get-one-free deal you can get anywhere -- with TOMS, you are buying and giving one, and that's priceless.

+1 Love it

justinthered · June 28, 2012, 09:17:03 PM

Last time I was in the Jax, the only place you could get them was at the whole foods in Mandarin. Good to hear that they're easier to get now! they're super comfy

MelMel · June 28, 2012, 10:21:59 PM

Thanks simms3.

On the contrary Adam W, I don't think they are hideous. Though some may think certain designs are more favorable than others, (I myself am not sure if I would like to wear TOMS for my wedding) they really are understated enough to wear almost anywhere, and are timeless, good quality and age appropriate for everyone. I would love to see them sell at Target, it's a fashion statement that should not be kept under wraps because the more mainstream they become, the more they will benefit those who need it.

acme54321 · June 28, 2012, 10:24:09 PM

You're kidding yourself if you think they are so popular for anything other than a fashion statement. Sure some people buy them for the cause, but it seems like most buy them because they are available in cool hipster colors like sparkles.

MelMel · June 28, 2012, 10:44:53 PM

The biggest appeal is that it doesn't matter if the person is buying them for the cause or because they wish to be cool wearing "hipster colors like sparkles," but that either way the other pair gets to someone who needs them.

thekillingwax · June 28, 2012, 11:25:26 PM

My aunts up in Georgia have been wearing these things for years to farm in, except I think they pay $5 for them at the dollar general. I think the giving them away thing is really nice but these people need more than just shoes and glasses and while Toms say they have partners to provide other services, who is to say that they are as committed to giving as Toms? There are numerous groups that already do shoe donations. What I think would be better is something like Oliberte does, where they try to improve the community with fair waged jobs, partnerships and quality of life, not just donations. That, and some of the Oliberte shoes and bags are sharp as hell.

officerk · June 29, 2012, 04:09:00 AM

I think it is neat that the company does this... though.. I won't be rushing out to buy them.. I LOVE Shoes... but at the prices these shoes are, the styles arent all that fabulous and just don't scream value for my money. It appears that you are paying for 2 pairs of shoes in order for them to be able to GIVE a pair away. THOUGH that is my option as a consumer... for those consumers that opt to get their warm and fuzzies from buying these shoes - more power to them... I keep my warm and fuzzies closer to home usually anyway.. NOW! If these shoe sales went in some way to Florida flood victim relief.. That would get my attention a bit more... But, that is where my heart lies right now...

Adam W · June 29, 2012, 04:16:34 AM

They're basically this year's (or last year's) Crocs.

They were hip for awhile, but now they've infiltrated the mass market. Other than thinking that they are hideous, that's not a bad thing. It's just that they're no longer fashion-forward. When a trend makes its way to Urban Outfitters, it's basically over.

justinthered · June 29, 2012, 06:54:38 AM

Quote from: thekillingwax on June 28, 2012, 11:25:26 PM
My aunts up in Georgia have been wearing these things for years to farm in, except I think they pay $5 for them at the dollar general. I think the giving them away thing is really nice but these people need more than just shoes and glasses and while Toms say they have partners to provide other services, who is to say that they are as committed to giving as Toms? There are numerous groups that already do shoe donations. What I think would be better is something like Oliberte does, where they try to improve the community with fair waged jobs, partnerships and quality of life, not just donations. That, and some of the Oliberte shoes and bags are sharp as hell.

The sunglasses they sell do a little more than just give people glasses. It actually covers basic eye care. I wouldn't say that the trend is dying either. They are now showing up in the department stores here in Korea and are a pretty hot item right now

TPC · June 29, 2012, 08:06:59 AM

Please note, if your supporting Urban Outfitters you are supporting an anti-gay, pro lifer.
http://sempe.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/hey-the-guy-who-owns-urban-outfitters-is-pro-life/

TPC · June 29, 2012, 08:07:46 AM

*you're

Adam W · June 29, 2012, 09:42:20 AM

Quote from: TPC on June 29, 2012, 08:06:59 AM
Please note, if your supporting Urban Outfitters you are supporting an anti-gay, pro lifer.
http://sempe.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/hey-the-guy-who-owns-urban-outfitters-is-pro-life/

Too true. They also are anti-voting and have actively worked to stop young people from voting by selling a "voting is for old people" t-shirt:

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1485150/urban-outfitters-peddles-political-irony.jhtml

And you don't want to forget the racist t-shirts:

http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/181876/yet-another-racist-urban-outfitters-shirt/

Perhaps most offensive of all is the way they mark up some items and charged way higher than RRP (like the Fujifilm Instax cameras which can be bought at Ritz Camera for half the price).