How did you first hear about TOMS?
We’ve been carrying TOMS shoes for two years now. We love being part of the One for One movement and the community built around that. We think the TOMS philosophy is a great one!

We have the largest selection of TOMS shoes in the Bay Area. At last count, we had more than 140 different TOMS styles between the Men’s, Women’s, Youth and Tiny shoes!




Can you tell us a TOMS story unique to Premier?
We often get that awesome look of satisfaction from customers who come in for TOMS. We hear a lot of “Oh, you’re wearing TOMS too?” or “How comfortable are these shoes??” and that sort of thing. Our customers and TOMS fans are open to sharing stories of how they heard about TOMS and which shoes they own, and open to telling the One for One story. We’re happy to facilitate that conversation and help lead the way in spreading the word in our area.

How would you describe your TOMS customers?
They know purchasing these shoes isn’t something that’s necessary for them to survive, but they definitely value the fact that their actions are helping others to live a better and more bountiful life.
 

Which style of TOMS shoes do your customers go crazy for?
TOMS Chocolate Herringbone Classics are flying off the shelves here, but ladies are loving the Pop Herringbone styles as well. It’s no surprise that they dig the Glitters, so it’s fun to see them coming back in to pick those up for their kids now too.

Visit Premier Boutique at 534 Ramona Street in Palo Alto, California (right across the street from The Old Pro and Nola’s by Stamford University).

How did you first hear about TOMS?
We first heard about TOMS from an employee, who came across TOMS while down in San Francisco. This was a few years ago, before anyone in Van city was carrying them, so when she came back from her trip super hyped on the One for One mission of the company, we were all on board. She was the moving force in getting TOMS in our store but we were all pretty excited about it.

What's the philosophy behind your shop? What are your influences and inspirations?
We're the down-to-earth neighbourhood skate shop, only we're lucky enough that our neighbourhood is mid Granville Street, the busiest, most eclectic street in Vancouver. So our inspiration is our area and the people in it. It's about having good vibes and fun times.

Can you tell us a TOMS story unique to Underworld?
Making our TOMS widow display was quite an interesting experience and TOMS story in and of itself. We build this giant peace sign with TOMS shoes the day after the NHL Playoff riots [last Spring]. Tons of people watched us set it up and took photos during and after. The whole community was out cleaning the streets and people seemed pretty stoked to see the peace amidst the mayhem. It was really quite awesome.

  



How would you describe your TOMS customers?
One word…RAD! Our window display really helped make people aware that we're on board with the TOMS brand and the One for One movement. Now we have trouble keeping TOMS in stock… we're really proud to be a part of this amazing production, and it seems are customers are too.

Which style of TOMS shoes do your customers go crazy for?
TOMS fans in Vancouver who frequent our shop are loving the burlap! They're very rustic and people are really liking the color.

How does Underworld take part in giving back to your community?
We have several skate competitions during the year that give young people an outlet to express themselves in a positive, active and encouraging environment. We also organize a clothing dive to collect coats for children during the Holiday season. Giving back to the community has always been an important part of our place.

Visit Underworld Skate Shop at 1043 Granville Street in Vancouver, BC or find a store that carries TOMS near you using our Store Locator tool!

This Saturday, October 8, 2011, we’re bringing the party to New Orleans, where you’re invited to Style Your Sole at local retailer Pippen Lane! Bring the family for some wild, weird and wonderful TOMS fun.





Actor John Goodman and his amazing wife Anna Beth opened Pippen Lane, a TOMS retailer down in NoLa, where we’ll be holding the event. They have been TOMS retailers for a few years now, and it’s safe to say TOMS loves this kids boutique. We can’t wait to spend time with our friends at Pippen Lane and the great community of New Orleans!

We’ve also invited YAYA, an artist-led community in New Orleans, to help customize TOMS shoes.





YAYA is an organization that teaches life skills and professional development through the creation and study of art. For more than twenty years, YAYA, has been second family to hundreds of young creatives – so come see what they’re all about!

Last but not least, we have Papillion, a local musician, who’ll perform unique blend of Cajun and zydeco (kind of like folk) music; balloon artists; a face painter, ready to do their thing; and desserts by Sucre and La Divina Gelateria.

For more information and to RSVP to TOMS + Pippen Lane, visit the Facebook Event. Hope to see you there!

Huge sporting event + big-time athletes + great food + custom TOMS!

In the midst of the PGA Tour's HP Byron Nelson Championship, Cool River Café in Irving, Texas will host a TOMS Style Your Sole event you won’t want to miss.

On Thursday, May 26th from 4 to 10 p.m., the Dallas Cowboys & TOMS will host a Style Your Sole event at Cool River to share the One for One movement with the community.
 

Guests will have the opportunity to purchase a pair of TOMS, and to either personally decorate their shoes or have an artist do it for them. Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin and other athletes will be hanging out for the event too!
 

 
All in attendance will enjoy Cool River’s delicious cuisine, so save the date! 

What better day than today to show a little love to one of our awesome retailers, New Wave Surf & Skate in Long Beach, CA.

Last Saturday, May 7, New Wave held a rocking Style Your Sole at their flagship location, where local artists Paige Emery and Chris Toombs customized TOMS.

Retail Intern Drew helped out at the event, and was amped on telling about it. Drew said, “they rep TOMS hard."

TOMS & Nordstrom go WAY back, right back to the very beginning of TOMS in 2006, so we are beyond excited that this Tuesday Nordstrom will be hosting barefoot walks for One Day Without Shoes! Come join us at one of seven Nordstrom stores nationwide for a walk without shoes!

Pre-registration starts at 11:30 at each location. Don't miss it! The more bare feet, the more conversations occur, the more we change the world together.

Learn more and RSVP at one of Nordstrom's Facebook event pages:

California:

Nordstrom Brea Mall, Brea

Nordstrom Fashion Valley, San Diego

Nordstrom Galleria at Roseville, Roseville

North Carolina:

Nordstrom South Park, Charlotte

Texas:

Nordstrom Stonebriar Centre, Frisco

Washington:

Nordstrom Downtown Seattle, Seattle

Nordstrom Bellevue Square, Bellevue

We recently caught up with Rowan at one of our UK retailers, Room 14. We’re super excited to be growing in the UK and meeting awesome people like Rowan! 

TOMS: How did you hear about TOMS?

Rowan: We read about Blake and the one for one campaign in an industry magazine. We had noticed that espadrille type footwear was creeping into the fashion market and felt that TOMS was a great product with a good story behind it too. We’ve been carrying TOMS for approximately 10 months now. 

T: Why does your store carry TOMS?

R: It's simply great product and suits our target audience. The Classics (in a number of colors) have been our best sellers. My favorite is the Classic in the Ash color as it sits well alongside shorts, chino's & denim.  

T: Do you get many customers who recognize the shoes?

R: TOMS have been phenomenal this year.  People make a special trip to our store just to buy TOMS.

T: What makes your store special, why should people come visit?

R: We have a really strong collection of brands, both apparel and footwear. We think we have managed to carve a niche business that prides itself on service. Our store is only small but has a really nice atmosphere with great product to boot!

We look forward to new Classic colors and designs. We have just entered our pre-Christmas period and the Botas boots are flying off the shelves too. We hope that TOMS continues to go from strength to strength.

We recently caught wind of one of our incredibly amazing retailers, Holly from The Shoe Closet in Wichita Falls, TX, doing some big things we just had to share

These Texans bucked up for a big day w/ their TOMS, shooting a local TV commercial to launch the TOMS fall line & their back-to-school celebration. So, all you Texans out there, keep an eye out for our favorite commercial south of HQ...and everyone else - enjoy these sweet pics as much as we did.

Shoe Closet - Keep doin' your thing & sending us pictures so that we can brag about you. You rock!

We started the TOMS Advocate program to help our retail partners tell the TOMS story and spread the One for One Movement in the most educated and powerful way possible.  We select passionate individuals who work at these stores and keep them up to date with tons of things we have going on at HQ, details of where we are giving shoes, and what our seasonal collections and stories are all about.

Every so often, we launch fierce friendly competitions between the Advocates for some pretty awesome prizes.

For One Day Without Shoes this past April, we hosted a competition to see who could create the largest barefoot event. The prize? A trip out to TOMS HQ in Santa Monica to hang with us! Sheena, from Val Surf in our own back yard, was able to create an event with over 175 people that registered and pledged their support for One Day Without Shoes.
 

She's coming by HQ today and we can't wait to introduce her to the entire TOMS family and show her what we do each day to keep the One for One Movement alive! Weeeeeeeellcoommmmeeeeee Sheena!!

Active Ride started as a small retail shop in Chino, CA in 1999, and "through hard work and dedication to our customers," has grown to be a premier destination for SoCal boarders with over 21 retail locations. We first met the Active guys back in 2006 and knew their like-mindedness for authenticity would enable a long-term relationship.

When we came together to create the idea for the "i am ONE of" campaign that would drive 10,000 pairs of shoes being given to kids through the One for One movement, it took off. Have you ever really thought what it meant to change a life?  A changed life might mean that for the next 50, 70 or even 100 years a person’s life could be altered for the better because of a choice that you made today.  I’d say that is pretty spectacular.