Retail Associate / Staff Barista

Alison Roman first opened First Bloom as a charming little corner store in Bloomville, New York. It was a place where you could find groceries, produce, and most of the ingredients you’d need to make a wonderful meal (plus a few things just to make you happy). It was small. It was specific. People drove a long way to get there, and we’d like to think it was worth it.

This December, we’re opening a second location in Brooklyn Heights. It will be bigger and more ambitious than what we built upstate, with a thoughtfully stocked grocery full of spectacular produce, exceptional pantry staples, and plenty of things you won’t find anywhere else, plus a small café serving fabulous prepared foods, a really great coffee program, and a cozy wine bar.

We’re looking for people to join our front-of-house team and help us bring that vision to life. People who care as much about excellent food and home cooking as they do about making someone’s day a little nicer. We're looking for warmth, curiosity, good instincts, and the ability to keep things running smoothly, even when the coffee line is out the door and everyone seems to need something at once.

As a Retail Associate / Staff Barista, you’ll work across the shop, from greeting customers and making coffee to receiving deliveries, stocking shelves, and helping prepare the space for evening service. You’ll know our products and menus inside and out, take pride in keeping the store looking its best, and be just as happy recommending a favorite product as you are pulling espresso shots or helping someone carry their groceries to the door.

First Bloom Brooklyn is a brand-new business, and we’re looking for people who are excited to help build something from the ground up. The right person is flexible, thoughtful, and happy to pitch in wherever needed. We care about making this a wonderful place to work as well as to visit.

First Bloom is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply.

• Keep the shop running. Greet customers, answer questions, ring up purchases, and keep things moving, even when it's busy (which it will be!). Pay attention to the whole room, whether that means helping someone find what they're looking for, noticing a line forming at the register, or clearing an abandoned coffee cup before anyone has to ask.
• Make excellent coffee. Work closely with the Lead Barista to learn and execute our full coffee and beverage menu, maintaining consistency, speed, and care with every drink. Be comfortable moving between the espresso bar, register, and retail floor as service demands.
• Know what we're selling. Get to know our produce, pantry items, prepared foods, and everything else on the shelves. Be able to answer questions, make thoughtful recommendations, and help customers find what they need (and occasionally something they didn't know they needed).
• Receive, stock, and merchandise. Check in deliveries, organize storage, rotate perishables, restock shelves, and keep displays looking abundant and inviting. Keep track of what's running low, document waste, and flag inventory issues before they become problems.
• Open, close, and keep things beautiful in between. Follow daily procedures and checklists, from setting up the coffee bar and putting out pastries in the morning to cleaning, restocking, and preparing the space for dinner service in the evening. Keep the shop, café, and customer areas clean, orderly, and ready for whatever comes next.
• Take care of the details. Use the POS accurately, handle food safely, follow sanitation and maintenance procedures, and uphold First Bloom's standards for service and presentation. Know when to make a decision yourself and when to bring something to management.
• Be a good teammate. Communicate clearly with the Lead Barista, retail management, and the rest of the FOH and BOH teams. Share customer feedback, flag delivery mistakes, and pitch in with inventory counts, special projects, and the many unexpected things that come with opening a new business.

• 2+ years of experience in specialty retail, grocery, a food co-op, café, or a similarly food-focused business. Experience working with beautiful produce, thoughtfully sourced ingredients, and high-quality pantry items is especially welcome.
• Experience in a busy, customer-facing environment. You know how to move quickly without making anyone feel rushed.
• A natural sense of hospitality. You notice people, remember regulars, and understand that how you make someone feel matters just as much as what they're buying.
• A genuine interest in food and cooking. You like talking about what you're making for dinner, have favorite ingredients you can't live without, and are curious about the people and places behind the products we carry.
• Good judgment and an eye for detail. You notice when a display needs attention, when something is out of place, or when a customer could use a hand, and you do something about it.
• The ability to stay organized, communicate clearly, and maintain a sense of humor when things get hectic.
• Low ego, high standards. You're happy to do the unglamorous work, take initiative when it's needed, and ask questions when you don't know something.
• A willingness to learn, adapt, and take on new responsibilities as the business grows. Not every day will look the same, especially in the beginning.

• Experience helping open a new café, restaurant, or retail business.
• Hands-on barista experience, including espresso preparation and milk steaming.
• Familiarity with Toast or similar POS systems.
• Familiarity with New York's independent food, coffee, and hospitality scene.
• You've read Alison's newsletter or cooked a recipe or two. Familiarity with her style will help you understand what we're trying to build.

• $20–23/hour + tips, commensurate with experience.
• Paid time off and paid sick leave in accordance with NYC law.
• Dining and retail discounts
• Complimentary coffee and a staff meal during shifts

• Full- or part-time, in-person position in Brooklyn Heights, starting December 1, 2026.
• Availability to work mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods, lift and carry up to 30 lbs., and perform the physical tasks involved in preparing drinks, stocking shelves, and receiving deliveries.
• A current NYC Food Protection Certificate is preferred, or willingness to obtain one within 30 days of hire.