About Every Now and Then

Every Now and Then (ENAT) is a creative hub located in Chicago. Opened in 2022 under the visionary guidance of Joe Freshgoods and team, our space focuses on nurturing and supporting emerging artists across all mediums. We specialize in pop-up installations, panel discussions, and carrying an assortment of carefully curated brands.

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for a proactive leader with a passion for the JFG and ENAT brand and our mission to serve the community through art, conversation, and curated commerce.

You are a strong communicator who can share expectations, give feedback, and respond to challenges with confidence. You embody our values and service approach in every interaction, whether you are speaking to a neighbor, a VIP, or a team member.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a dependable, proactive operator who can run the space with minimal oversight, lead a team effectively, and maintain a calm, functional, and welcoming environment for both customers and staff. This role is ideal for someone ready to take ownership of a retail / café space built around culture, community, and functionality.

You are the right fit if:

• You have a pulse on the city: You possess a genuine love for Chicago and an authentic connection to its creative culture and youth movements, without needing to be the center of attention.
  
• You lead by example: You motivate a team in a fast-paced environment not just by delegating, but by doing. You are comfortable doing hands-on and behind-the-scenes work and the versatility to fill in for the team when necessary. 
  
• You are data-minded: You have the ability to use sales data and feedback to improve team performance and drive business results.
  
• You are "Low Ego, High Impact": You are here to build the ENAT brand, not your personal brand. You operate with discretion and prioritize the store’s success over personal social media clout.

 

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit & Retain: Assist with recruitment, onboarding, and training to ensure smooth day-to-day operations and a seamless customer experience across Retail and Café functions. Work closely with Joephine’s cafe coordinator to maintain a seamless experience for all guests.
  
• Coach & Mentor: Provide ongoing coaching and feedback to team members, supporting skill development, individual training plans, and performance reviews.
  
• Culture Carrier: Role model company values and standards through strong communication, mentorship, and consistent leadership presence on the sales floor.
  
• Brand Education: Ensure the team possesses deep product knowledge and the ability to speak confidently about the entire JFG brand tree, all carried brands, and the narratives behind our programming.
  
• SOP Implementation: Ensure all team members are trained on and adhering to standard operating procedures), best practices, and new initiatives.
  

2. Retail Operations & Customer Experience

• Operational Excellence: Oversee daily store operations, including inventory management, upholding visual merchandising standards, and reporting, while ensuring compliance with company policies (cash handling, register procedures, etc.).
  
• Inventory Control: Support inventory accuracy through stock rotation and replenishment; maintain clear communication with the warehouse team to restock materials and merchandise efficiently.
  
• Crowd & Event Management: Manage the logistics of high-volume traffic during special footwear and apparel releases. Ensure safety and order are maintained during lines and crowds.
  
• Calendar Management: distinct oversight of the release schedule and special events calendar to ensure the store is prepped and staffed appropriately.
  
• Visual Standards: Uphold the aesthetic of the space. Ensure the team adheres to the dress code and that the store environment is visually pristine.
  

3. Sales & Performance Support

• Goal Setting: Support and drive store sales goals, ensuring the team is effectively working toward meeting or exceeding targets.
  
• Performance Tracking: Assist in monitoring daily, weekly, and monthly sales performance; understand key drivers (traffic flow, conversion, staffing) and implement action plans to optimize results.
  
• Financial Reporting: Assist with store budgeting, financial tracking, and reporting to identify opportunities for efficiency.
  
• Scheduling: Support in making team schedules that optimize coverage for the specific needs of the business (e.g., heavy staffing for drops, lighter for standard days).
  

4. Community & Partnerships

• Event Logistics: Coordinate logistics for special partnership events, working closely with the JFG team, external partners, and vendors to execute seamless activations.
  
• Community Engagement: Demonstrate a passion to serve and show up for the community, including assisting with "Community Goods" initiatives and neighborhood events.
   

Your Qualifications

• Experience: 2-3+ years of retail or hospitality management experience (fashion, streetwear, or lifestyle preferred).
  
• Tech Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) and retail POS systems (e.g., Shopify).
  
• Leadership: Proven ability to build, lead, and motivate high-performing teams.
  
• Flexibility: Anticipatory nature with the ability to take initiative; you have keen attention to detail and excel at creative problem-solving and conflict resolution.
  
• Communication: Excellent collaboration and delegation skills, with good decision-making abilities in high-pressure situations.
  

Physical Requirements & Availability

• Open Availability: Must have full-time open availability, including weekends, holidays, and extended hours during events/drops.
  
• Active Role: Must be able to stand, remain physically active, and move around all areas of the store to be accessible to customers for 100% of the scheduled shift.
  
• Physical Tasks: Ability to bend, reach, and stretch for product, as well as lift, carry, and move items up to 40 pounds regularly throughout the shift.
  

How to Apply

Please send your resume and a brief cover letter to jobs@everynow-andthen.com.

 

 

The Heartbeat of the Space

More than a café, Josephine’s is an anchor for connection. It brings intentional hospitality to the center of Every Now and Then, proving that culture is something you spend time with, not just something you take home. As the Cafe Coordinator, you aren't just managing the flow of service, you are setting the tone for the entire hospitality experience. You will lead our food and beverage program with intentionality, ensuring every drink served and every partner featured tells a story worth coming back for.

The Role

We are looking for a self-starting, innovative leader to build the structure and programming that gives Josephine’s its rhythm. You will shape and manage a concise, well-crafted menu that ranges from our foundational coffee program to our signature seasonal lemonades. You’ll also be the bridge between our cafe and the wider Chicago culinary community, building partnerships that bring new energy and collaboration into our space.

Core Responsibilities

• Program Leadership: Lead daily execution of the Josephine’s food and beverage program, prioritizing warmth, intentional pacing, and guest connection over transactional service.
• Menu Innovation: Refine our regular daily menu while leading ongoing beverage development, conceptualizing special-release and event-driven drinks that align with Joe’s creative direction and seasonal brand activations.
• Partnership & Collaboration: Manage relationships with local restaurants, bakers, and makers for features and pastry sourcing.
• Event Coordination: Lead the Food & Beverage strategy for special events, ensuring the hospitality at Josephine’s seamlessly integrates with ENAT’s programming.
• Team Development: Train and mentor Josephine's team. You’ll instill a culture of kindness, compassion, and high-level hospitality.
• Cafe Operations: Establish and maintain the systems that keep the cafe running smoothly – from standardized recipes and inventory management to food safety and health compliance.
• Retail Integration: Work closely with the Every Now and Then retail team to incorporate our homegoods line, ensuring the Josephine’s warmth extends from the cup to the objects guests take home.

Who You Are

• A Creative Operator: You have the ingenuity to design a thoughtful menu and the analytical mindset to build the systems that keep it running smoothly.
• A Results-Driven Leader: You maintain high standards, keep operations on track, and ensure the team executes with consistency and professionalism. Most importantly, you lead with kindness and compassion, understanding that in our space, hospitality is rooted in experience, not just service.
• A Community Connector: You are plugged into the Chicago food scene and enjoy building relationships with other local businesses.
• A Self-Starter: You thrive in building systems from the ground up and approach every challenge with a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Meticulous: You take pride in perfecting the small details that create a polished, thoughtful, and welcoming environment.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in specialty coffee, hospitality management, or F&B coordination.
• Proven track record of menu development and vendor management.
• Deep knowledge of food safety standards (Food Handler/Manager Certification required).
• Experience in training and leading a team in a fast-paced (but slow-feeling) environment.
• Strong alignment with Josephine's mission: Dedicated to bringing Josephine’s ethos to life through thoughtful service, curated experiences, and cultural storytelling culture, storytelling, and intentionality.

How to Apply

Please send your resume and a brief cover letter to jobs@everynow-andthen.com.