Barista

Barnes & Noble is a renowned American bookseller known for creating spaces where readers and communities come together. As a prominent bookstore chain, it blends literature and café culture, offering a diverse selection of books along with a vibrant café experience. Each Barnes & Noble store serves not only as a retail location but as a cultural hub where book lovers can gather, discover new titles, and enjoy high-quality beverages and café items. The company prides itself on fostering a welcoming, friendly environment that balances customer service with a vibrant community atmosphere. It is an Affirmative Action Employer committed to diversity and providing equal employment opportunities regardless of a variety of protected characteristics. Employees benefit from a range of offerings that evolve with their tenure and hours worked, ranging from employee discounts and sick pay to comprehensive health benefits and tuition reimbursement for full-time positions. The store environment requires physical activity including prolonged standing and walking, which is ideal for individuals who thrive in active, fast-paced workplaces.

The Barista role at Barnes & Noble is integral to delivering a positive experience in the café setting. As a Barista, you are more than just a beverage maker; you are a cheerful representative of the Barnes & Noble brand, engaging with customers and helping them find the perfect drinks and café items. Punctuality, reliability, flexibility, and a positive attitude are key behavioral expectations. This role demands a genuine passion for coffee and café culture, as well as the willingness to master operational competencies including using registers and other technology, maintaining café presentation, supporting stock management, and ensuring clean, organized workspaces. You will receive training to become proficient in preparing food and drinks accurately, handling deliveries, and following safety and hygiene standards.

The Barista will work closely with the store’s bookselling team, sometimes supporting them during peak hours, and contribute to the store’s merchandising efforts by maintaining the attractive presentation of the café and retail fixtures. There is a clear pathway for career growth, with opportunities to advance to Senior Barista as skills and knowledge develop. At Barnes & Noble, Baristas are expected to embody a set of behaviors that reflect their commitment to the team and customers, such as supporting colleagues, being cheerful with customers consistently, demonstrating flexibility in scheduling, and showing an eagerness to learn and grow within the company.

Compensation for this position starts at $18.75 per hour and can go up to $20.25 per hour, reflecting the importance of the role in the overall customer experience and the skills required. Benefits vary by scheduled hours worked, including part-time and full-time tiers offering sick pay, paid time off, company holidays, and health benefits. Barnes & Noble supports its employees with a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program and recognizes the importance of work-life balance along with ongoing professional development opportunities. This role is perfect for individuals who enjoy active, customer-facing roles where they can make a positive impact on customer satisfaction and contribute to a community-focused retail environment.