Assistant Store Manager

Long Dark House — Alexandria, VA Full-Time | 35–40 hours per week $25–$27/hour, based on experience Anticipated Start: October 2026 Welcome to Long Dark House Long Dark House is a new independent bookstore in Old Town Alexandria specializing in horror, science fiction, and other strange stories. Our goal is to create more than a place to buy books. Long Dark House is building a welcoming literary community where lifelong genre readers, curious newcomers, reluctant readers, families, authors, artists, and people discovering something strange for the first time can all find a place at the table. Alongside thoughtfully curated books, the store will host author readings and signings, book clubs, workshops, youth programming, community gatherings, pop-ups, and other literary and creative events on/off site. As we grow, we're looking for an Assistant Store Manager & Events Coordinator who wants to help build that community with us. About the Role The Assistant Store Manager & Events Coordinator is a key leadership position at Long Dark House and works directly with the Owner/Founder. This person will help lead the day-to-day operation of the bookstore, supervise and develop our bookselling team, maintain an excellent customer experience, and coordinate many of the events and programs that bring the store to life. This is a hands‑on position. Some days may involve leading the sales floor, receiving boxes of books, helping a customer find their next favorite read, coaching a bookseller, or refreshing a display. Other days may involve communicating with an author, preparing for an evening event, developing a run‑of‑show, or figuring out how to solve an unexpected problem five minutes before doors open. We're looking for someone who enjoys both people and details — someone who can create structure without losing the warmth and personality that makes an independent bookstore special. What You'll Do Store Leadership & Operations Serve as Manager on Duty and independently lead store operations when the Owner is not present. Open and close the bookstore as scheduled. Supervise, support, and coach booksellers and keyholders. Help coordinate weekly schedules, shift coverage, breaks, and employee callouts. Lead daily priorities and communicate expectations to the team. Ensure opening and closing procedures are completed consistently. Monitor the sales floor and adjust priorities as customer traffic and business needs change. Handle routine customer concerns and escalations. Support POS, cash‑handling, and store procedures. Help maintain a safe, organized, clean, and welcoming environment. Identify operational challenges and work with the Owner to develop practical solutions. Customer Experience & Bookselling We believe great independent retail should still feel personal. Our team should be visible, attentive, approachable, and genuinely interested in helping people discover something they'll love. The Assistant Store Manager will: Model warm and thoughtful customer service. Ensure customers entering the store are acknowledged and welcomed. Encourage staff to remain visible and available throughout the store. Provide thoughtful book recommendations. Help customers discover new authors, genres, and stories. Build relationships with regular customers. Help create an environment that is welcoming to longtime genre fans as well as people discovering horror, science fiction, fantasy, or speculative fiction for the first time. Reinforce a customer experience that is helpful and engaging without being high‑pressure. Team Leadership & Development Help onboard and train new employees. Coach booksellers and keyholders on customer service, bookselling, merchandising, and store procedures. Provide regular feedback, encouragement, and recognition. Help employees develop stronger product knowledge and customer engagement skills. Identify employee strengths and development opportunities. Help develop keyholders into stronger store leaders. Address routine performance or attendance concerns and communicate significant issues to the Owner. Help create a workplace culture built around accountability, curiosity, kindness, inclusion, and respect. Events & Community Programming Events are an important part of what we're building at Long Dark House. Programming may include author readings and signings, book clubs, workshops, children’s programming, community gatherings, release celebrations, literary discussions, pop‑ups, themed events, and other creative programming. The Assistant Store Manager & Events Coordinator will help turn event ideas into organized experiences. Responsibilities may include: Maintain the bookstore's events calendar. Communicate with authors, publishers, vendors, speakers, and community partners. Coordinate event dates, times, requirements, and logistics. Develop event timelines and run‑of‑show plans. Coordinate staffing for events. Ensure books and merchandise needed for events are ordered and available. Coordinate seating, tables, signage, supplies, refreshments, and other event needs. Prepare the store before events. Welcome and assist authors, vendors, and other participants. Help manage guest flow and troubleshoot issues during events. Coordinate event breakdown and store reset. Track attendance and event‑related sales. Provide brief post‑event recaps. Ensure employees have the information they need to confidently discuss upcoming programs with customers. Recommend potential authors, organizations, workshops, vendors, and community partners that align with Long Dark House. The Owner/Founder maintains final approval of the overall programming calendar, major partnerships, event concepts, and event budgets. Inventory, Books & Merchandising Develop strong familiarity with Long Dark House's inventory and focus genres. Stay aware of important new releases and customer interests. Track frequently requested books and customer recommendations. Recommend titles and categories for restocking or purchasing consideration. Assist with receiving, processing, shelving, and organizing inventory. Support inventory counts and inventory accuracy. Identify fast‑moving, slow‑moving, or frequently requested merchandise. Help create and maintain seasonal, thematic, new‑release, and staff‑pick displays. Ensure shelves and displays remain organized, attractive, and easy to shop. Help maintain the overall visual presentation and atmosphere of the bookstore. Final buying and purchasing authority remains with the Owner unless specifically delegated. Community Relationships We want Long Dark House to be an active participant in the literary and creative community. The Assistant Store Manager may: Develop relationships with local authors and literary organizations. Communicate with schools, libraries, book clubs, community organizations, and other potential partners. Identify opportunities for collaboration and programming. Represent Long Dark House professionally at appropriate community events. Help develop programs that introduce new audiences to the bookstore. Support initiatives that encourage reading, literacy, and access to books. Who We're Looking For We're interested in candidates who bring strong leadership, hospitality, organization, and curiosity. Relevant experience may come from bookstores, libraries, specialty retail, hospitality, museums, arts organizations, publishing, events, community programming, or similar environments. You may be a great fit if you: Genuinely enjoy working with people. Are warm, approachable, and comfortable starting conversations. Have previous leadership, supervisory, or management experience. Can confidently lead a team when the Owner is not present. Are organized and dependable. Can manage several priorities without losing track of details. Are comfortable making reasonable decisions independently. Know how to turn an idea into an organized plan. Can give employees clear, respectful constructive feedback. Take initiative when you notice something that needs attention. Enjoy books, storytelling, arts, or literary communities. Are excited about—or interested in learning more about—horror, science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction. Are comfortable working in a growing small business where processes will continue to evolve. Are available for evenings and weekends when bookstore programming requires them. Previous bookstore experience is welcomed but not required. We care just as much about your ability to lead people, create excellent experiences, stay organized, and learn. Schedule This is a full‑time position averaging approximately 35–40 hours per week . The regular schedule will generally include Tuesday through Sunday , with a combination of opening, mid, and closing responsibilities. Evening and weekend availability is required because of bookstore events and programming. When possible, schedules will be adjusted during event‑heavy weeks so event responsibilities are incorporated into the employee's normal workweek. Compensation $25–$27 per hour, based on experience. Candidates considered at the upper end of the range should demonstrate significant experience independently leading retail or hospitality operations, supervising employees, coordinating events, or performing comparable management responsibilities. Employee Perks Long Dark House employee perks include: Employee discount. Complimentary Long Dark Society membership. Access to advance reader copies when available. PTO Health Benefits Access to our employee reading library. Opportunities to participate in bookstore events and programming. Opportunities for professional development and increased leadership responsibility as Long Dark House grows. Additional benefits and policies will be discussed during the interview and offer process. Physical & Scheduling Requirements This is an active retail position. Employees should be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with reasonable accommodation where applicable, including working on the sales floor for extended periods, moving throughout the bookstore, and assisting with routine receiving, shelving, event setup, and store operations. The position requires regular availability during bookstore operating hours as well as some evenings and weekends. Why Long Dark House? Long Dark House is still being built—in every sense of the word. That means this role offers something different from stepping into an established retail operation with years of existing systems. You’ll have the opportunity to help shape how we serve customers, develop employees, organize events, build community relationships, and establish traditions that may become part of Long Dark House for years to come. We're looking for someone who wants to help build something strange, thoughtful, welcoming, and lasting. Long Dark House is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and bookstore community. #J-18808-Ljbffr