Guest Experience Associate & Barista

About Us

Located on the National Register of Historic Places, the Lost River General Store has been welcoming visitors to the Lost River Valley for more than 125 years. Today, this historic gathering place offers artisan shopping, award-winning Puerto Rican coffee, scratch-made café fare, fresh baked goods, and Storehouse Evenings, our Friday and Saturday cocktail lounge featuring handcrafted cocktails and elevated small plates.

We believe hospitality begins the moment someone walks through our doors. Whether a guest stops in for a morning latte, a leisurely lunch, a unique gift, or an evening cocktail, our goal is to make every visit warm, memorable, and distinctly Lost River. If you enjoy connecting with people, take pride in providing exceptional service, and appreciate quality food, coffee, and local craftsmanship, we'd love to meet you.

Position Summary

The Guest Experience Associate & Barista is the welcoming face of the Lost River General Store. This position combines specialty coffee preparation, café counter service, retail sales, and guest hospitality into one dynamic role.

Every day is different. One guest may need the perfect cappuccino to start their morning, another may be looking for a locally made gift, while another is discovering the valley for the first time and looking for recommendations. Your role is to make every guest feel genuinely welcomed while creating an experience that encourages them to return.

Responsibilities

Welcome every guest with warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine hospitality.
Prepare espresso drinks, brewed coffee, teas, and other café beverages with consistency and attention to detail.
Provide counter service for the café, bakery, and grab-and-go offerings.
Recommend menu items, baked goods, retail merchandise, and seasonal specialties.
Operate the point-of-sale system and accurately process transactions.
Answer questions about the General Store, Storehouse Evenings, the Inn at Lost River, and the surrounding area.
Maintain attractive retail displays and keep merchandise well stocked.
Restock café supplies, bakery cases, beverages, and retail inventory throughout the day.
Help maintain a clean, organized, and inviting café, retail space, and outdoor seating areas.
Assist with dishwashing, light food preparation, and other support tasks as needed.
Work collaboratively with kitchen and evening service staff to create a seamless guest experience.
Help preserve the welcoming atmosphere that has defined the General Store for more than 125 years.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who genuinely enjoys working with people and understands that great hospitality is found in the small details.

The ideal candidate is:

Friendly, outgoing, and naturally welcoming.
Passionate about coffee, food, and customer service.
Comfortable learning specialty coffee preparation and café service.
Curious about local products and excited to share their stories with guests.
Organized, dependable, and able to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
A team player who enjoys helping wherever needed.
Professional, positive, and eager to learn.

Previous barista experience is appreciated but not required. We are happy to train someone with the right attitude, strong work ethic, and genuine passion for hospitality.

Qualifications

Retail, café, coffee shop, restaurant, or hospitality experience preferred.
High school diploma or GED.
Food Handler Certification (or ability to obtain after hire, if required by state law).
Comfortable standing for extended periods and lifting up to 30 pounds.
Weekend availability required.
Reliable transportation.
Excellent references.

Why You'll Love Working Here

This is more than a retail or coffee shop job. You'll work in one of West Virginia's most distinctive recreation destinations, where every day brings new visitors from across the country. You'll learn specialty coffee preparation, discover locally made artisan products, and become part of a team dedicated to thoughtful hospitality and memorable guest experiences. Whether you're crafting a beautiful latte, helping someone choose the perfect handmade gift, or introducing a first-time visitor to everything the Lost River Valley has to offer, you'll help create the moments that keep guests coming back.

The Lost River General Store is open Wednesday through Sunday, with opportunities for additional hours during Storehouse Evenings and special events at the Inn at Lost River.

To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter to employment@innatlostriver.com.