Company description

Build Coffee & Books is a community-minded café, bookstore, and event space rooted in radical hospitality and collective care.

Since its inception Build has been a gathering place rooted in curiosity, care, and connection—serving thoughtfully sourced coffee alongside small press books, zines, and community events. Build has established itself as a trusted third space for neighbors, organizers, artists, students, and storytellers.

Build was founded in 2017 by Bea Malsky and Hannah Nyhart, who started out selling iced coffee at the 61st Street Farmers Market before expanding into a brick and mortar space. In 2025, the café entered a new chapter when longtime regulars and collaborators Eve L. Ewing, trína reynolds-tyler and Andrea Faye Hart took over leadership as volunteer co-owners. Together, they relaunched the space as Build Coffee & Books.

We continue to be a place where people can meet over a cup of coffee or great food, find a book that moves them, and build something—together. We believe providing neighbors a space to share the basic building blocks of human connection— fellowship, food, and imagination — helps to build thriving, just, and joyful communities.

Job description

Build Coffee & Books is a community-minded café, bookstore, and event space rooted in radical hospitality and collective care. We’re growing—and looking for warm, fast, and thoughtful folks to join our team as a part-time barista and bookselling associate.

The barista and bookselling associate is accountable for taking care of customers (making sales, preparing Build’s offerings), opening and closing the shop daily, and keeping the space clean and well-stocked. You’ll often be the first hello and the lasting impression, helping customers navigate our menu of espresso drinks, brewed coffee, teas, food and books—while making space for conversation, connection, and curiosity.

The barista and bookselling associate reports directly to shift lead and GM. Please note this position makes $16 per hour plus pooled tips.

Responsibilities

• Greet and serve customers with a welcoming spirit of warmth,care, and inclusivity
• Prepare coffee and tea beverages with consistency and attention to detail
• Communicate the menu clearly and help each customer navigate Build’s options with confidence
• Ring up orders and handle transactions accurately
• Maintain clean, safe, and welcoming café and bookstore spaces
• Refill and organize stock; communicate when supplies are low
• Support daily operations, including setup, restocking, as well as opening and closing tasks as-needed
• Work collaboratively with a small team to uphold Build’s values and rhythm
• Able to move and lift up to 30 pounds frequently and occasionally move and/or lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to stand and walk for an entire shift and move safely through all areas of the café, which may include stairs, uneven or slick surfaces
• Communicate any delays or issues
• Accurately account for all items coming out of the station
• Receive, organize, and shelf book inventory
• Enter retail and book inventory into POS
• Support book-related events such as book clubs and author visits
• Ensure that books, retail items, and relevant signage are neat, inviting, appealing, and informative
• As available, engage in customer conversations about books and answer questions
• Sell books during the 61st Street Farmers Market

What We’re Looking For

• 2+ year prior barista, café, or counter-service experience
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Strong communication skills and reliability
• A commitment to community and creating a welcoming space for all
• Enthusiasm about books, reading, and using literary resources to foster and strengthen community
• Open to learning and growing with a team rooted in Build’s core values of nourishment, justice and imagination
• Collaborate well with a small but mighty team
• Follow all rules, policies, procedures and conditions of employment, including those outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Licensed under Food Handler Certification (Required)
• Experience with bookselling beneficial but not required

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $16.00 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) matching
Employee discount
Paid time off
Work Location: In person

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $15-20/hr

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline