We visit local stores and restaurants in our pilot neighborhoods and evaluate them to determine if they're ethical and sustainable. If we believe they are doing enough things right, (see section below on what is ethical and sustainable), we work with them to highlight their values in a video clip, and provide an exclusive offer to our community of ethical consumers.

Our pilot is focused on neighborhoods south of 14th Street - mostly the East Village, West Village and Greenwich Village. Our goal is to get as much feedback as possible from local business owners and consumers like you during this phase so we can expand successfully across and around NYC.

During our "beta pilot" phase, deals will last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Once we've gotten feedback and are ready for our next phase, deals will be highlighted for a consistent - and much shorter - period of time.

We'll send you a confirmation email shortly after you complete your purchase with a link to the voucher for you to print out and bring to the store.

You can access your voucher directly on the site by logging into the My Account section and printing it from there.

Redemption details differ per featured store but, instructions will appear on each offer page, as well as the Confirm Your order page and email.

We're evaluating businesses on 4 criteria:

1. How the store or restaurant engages with the community
2. How it supports its employees
3. How it addresses the store's environmental impact
4. How its products and services are sourced and which products are chosen

As we've discovered in conversations with literally hundreds of consumers, everyone has a different definition of an ethical, sustainable and local store or restaurant. Instead of forcing our definition on everyone, we've decided to provide our community of conscientious consumers with the information we've gathered about the stores' practices and let you make the decision for yourself as to whether it is ethical or sustainable enough to get your business.

Absolutely, please visit the Your Community section to let us know what stores to evaluate!

The owner or manager of the store verifies, often for a second time, the data we collect on the ethical and sustainable business practices at the store. The owner is also on camera, which we believe provides additional assurance that the qualitative information is accurate to the best of everyone's knowledge. Of course, businesses change, too. And that's why we'll also provide an area for comment and discussion with each featured business.

No, Jon and Jeff are social entrepreneurs. This means we want to make a profit AND a difference. For us, this is the definition of ethical and sustainable. We plan to apply for certification as a B Corporation in the near future.

Please contact ethikus Customer Support at support@ethikus.com or call us at 203-SUSTAIN if this occurs. Your feedback plays a huge role in our success. We'll try to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

We are working very hard to ensure this doesn't happen. In cases where it does, please contact our Customer Support at (203) - SUSTAIN (203-787-8246). They'll work to resolve your issue with the vendor as soon as possible.

We work hard to ensure this doesn't happen, but in our pilot phase, we may need your help to work out the kinks. Please give us your feedback! Send your comments and thoughts to feedback@ethikus.com.

We are currently in our pilot phase in lower Manhattan but definitely have plans to expand. In fact, we'd love your advice on where ethikus should launch next! Let us know: info@ethikus.com.

We'd love to hear from you! Please email us at jeffandjon@ethikus.com. Thanks for your interest.

In the next few months we hope to be hiring a number of passionate, change-the-world types to help us expand our vision. If you're interested in learning more, visit the Work for Us section or email us at work@ethikus.com.