Hi. I’m Sarah, and I’m in the process of purchasing a property with the intention to open a bookstore in Martinez, California. I have a background in nonprofit administration, theater and event producing, and I care very deeply about ethical working conditions, interpersonal relationships and creative world building.
I know how to organize and manage people and treat them with dignity.
I’ve worked in retail.
But I don’t know shit about selling books.
I need your help.
I’m looking for someone with a deep knowledge of progressive book selling and the book industry to be a partner and collaborator. My dream is to find someone that has all the skills of book selling and knowledge of the community around Martinez but might not have access to the capital to start their own solo business. Current draft budget calls for universal income and transparency, with every FT employee making the same salary plus benefits. This human will need to work physically in the store and should live in the east Bay Area.
In My Dreamy Dream World You Would Have:
An identity as a seasoned / senior Bookseller.
Deep interest in the creation and development of a gentle, human-centered work culture.
Knowledge of or connection to the Bay Area east of the Caldecott tunnel.
Commitment to employment as a vehicle for mentorship
Desire to teach and mentor others in the creation of the store’s book program/identity:
Ability to act as primary book buyer
Knowledge of daily operations of a successful independent, progressive bookstore, including inventory and ordering coordination, shelf-talkers, handselling & book specific customer service and merchandising
Opinions about bookstore POS and inventory management systems
Fair Arrow Books + Goods will be driven by a series of Core Values that will include but aren’t limited to:
Local retail as a societal good. This includes serving the community as we define it and at multiple levels - not just for patrons but also creating emotionally and fiscally fulfilling jobs that pay a liveable wage and allow staff to make the East Bay Area their home.
We take care of us.
Artistic placemaking that sees the physical store location as a site for continual artistic expression and experimentation that delights and uplifts the community. A place that feels good to visit and to work.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
Bookselling as a sacred vocation that helps create the world we want to live in. We will stock goods that promote and strive to manifest a world beyond the binary, capitalism and fascism and will act with integrity in all its dealings.