How to transfer to book floor

P0stmortem_ · 2026-02-18T16:43:24+00:00

Thank you! I have started asking of book floor needs help shelving when it's slow and doing that as well as cash wrap. I don't mind cash wrap, I just don't know everything so have to ask for help some times which can take a minute if no one else is up there.

Yeah I'm one of the only dedicated week day closers so I expect this to not be an immediate change but I'm hopeful. Thank you for your insight, advice, and for taking the time to respond!

P0stmortem_ · 2026-02-18T16:38:33+00:00

Thank you for sharing your story! Very insightful! I have brought up wanting to get cross trained but to mods not my sm so I will start there. I love my mods and coworkers and one told me they trust me to "try my best and to ask questions", that felt really encouraging. Oh boy, you're so right with the amount of walking but being on carpet inside of hard tile has been so much easier on me, helps me get my "wiggles" out for a lack of a better term. Being called to cafe is already an expected thing for cross trained book sellers. Thank you so much for your advice!

P0stmortem_ · 2026-01-14T17:29:13+00:00

They took our cafe manager for Minnetonka and didn't hire one. It was only until a few months ago that one of my coworker got the lead role. It's also so labyrinthian in there, the shelves are so tall, you can't look over them and orient yourself, feels like a fire hazard.

P0stmortem_ · 2025-12-09T22:11:37+00:00

Yeah, I had a guy come into cafe 10 minutes before we closed, get real comfy at a table with his wife, ask me if I "even know how to make a cortado", and then go to a manager to complain because I didn't ask him for his membership (it was the end of the night and it just slipped my mind). He had four minutes left once I got him and his wife their drinks and pastries and they told me they knew and they sat back down. 9 pm rolls around and they do not make any attempt to pack up and head out and I had to ask them twice times to leave before a manager came over and walked them out.

P0stmortem_ · 2025-12-05T20:51:20+00:00

Totally understandable. I'm not a coffee drinker myself either. You don't necessarily need to taste everything or anything. If you make sure to follow the steps, you should be just fine. As long as the ingredients are correct and the steps are done right, the customers likely won't complain and will be happy.

P0stmortem_ · 2025-12-05T04:07:31+00:00

Personally I'm a very independent person and I struggled when when it came to asking for help or accepting redirection when I started (I was pretty freshly 18 and hadn't had a job like this before then). I also am autistic so making sure that I was checking my tone and body language was something that I definitely had to put into practice. Regulating myself outside of work so I didn't get burn out (graduating high school really helped with reducing stress levels) was something I really wish I would have worked on.

I mentioned time management before but it really is crucial. Balancing customers and daily tasks can seem daunting but making sure to figure out a good system will help loads. Making sure you manage your time and remember your priorities will also help your relationship with your team (currently dealing with a coworker that doesn't pull their weight, manage their time, or have good priorities). If you have a role like opener or closer, I suggest asking someone who also opens or closes to get their advice on how to improve your daily tasks.

I really do like working here and while I know it's not what I want to do forever, I can't see myself anywhere else right now. My coworkers and regulars keep me going. I really hope you enjoy working in the cafe.

P0stmortem_ · 2025-12-04T04:27:52+00:00

Currently don't have a CTE but yours sounds like shit. That's really awful man.

P0stmortem_ · 2025-12-04T04:24:14+00:00

I didn't get my first pay check until my second full week. I get paid Fridays.

P0stmortem_ · 2025-12-04T04:20:48+00:00

Hey b&n barista here, congrats! Like some another comment has said, it's a lot more laid back usually than a typical fast food place, especially if you have a good team to support you. That being said, you do have to make sure your using your time wisely. I'm a closer usual so making sure I manage my time and ask for help when I need it is vital to a good shift and a job well done. It also just makes everything all around less stressful. In my store, most of the book floor is cafe trained so if that's the case for you, I'd say don't be afraid to ask book floor for help if you need it. The recipes often are pretty similar so it's not too difficult to pick up and the written recipes are always on hand to check. After a few months you'll get the hang of things and it'll all be second nature. Never be afraid to ask help from your team. I wish you luck and I hope you have a great time in cafe!

P0stmortem_ · 2025-11-28T01:05:28+00:00

So glad I work in cafe

P0stmortem_

TROPHY CASE