Coffee Bartering at Tonx: Starbucks Card for “Higher Quality” Coffee Beans

Coffee subscription company Tonx is offering dollar-for-dollar credit towards “better quality” coffee beans in exchange for your Starbucks gift card balance. Their philosophy: “We Source. We Roast. We Ship. You Brew.” The Tonx team comprises coffee mavens whose resumes boast high-end roasters Ritual, Intelligentsia and Stumptown.

Tonx’s homepage forces prospective subscribers question the value of a dollar through a compelling visual:

$38 at Starbucks = 8 frappucinos

or, 11 cappucinos

or, 17 drip coffees

or, 48 cups of “carefully sourced, expertly roasted, super fresh coffee.”

The website proceeds to highlight the company’s differentiation points— “highest quality beans, brew guides, affordable tools, one-on-one brew help, coffee ratings, weekly publications,” and most importantly, “happiness.”

Liquiteria to Replace Gray’s Papaya on 8th Street

Gray’s Papaya’s loyal patrons have been in mourning since news broke that the venerated hot dog chain would be closing because of a $20,000 rent hike— from $30,000 to $50,000. Owner Nicholas Gray is scouting new locations, and the original Gray’s Papaya in the Upper West Side is still operating as usual. On January 26th Liquiteria, a celebrity and health-enthusiast haunt with currently one East Village location, will take Gray Papaya’s place.