Part-time (12 hrs/week)
Pay rate: Starts at $20/hr.
Start date: October 1st–15th, 2026
Application deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis until position is filled.
We’re looking for an energetic, detail-oriented person to help with in-person and eCommerce retail operations at Maydel. Maydel is a fast-growing craft store whose mission is to encourage accessibility and responsibility in craft while supporting our local and creative communities.
All work hours will take place at our store and workspace in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. You must be available to work 12 hours per week, including from 10:45am–4:15pm most Saturdays. Other work hours are more flexible, but during training in the first three months of employment they must take place between 10am–4pm on weekdays (Mondays preferred). There is the potential for additional hours during peak season if desired.
Some of the main functions of this role include:
- Shipping and receiving: Packing and shipping outgoing orders and entering/restocking new inventory that arrives.
- Customer service: Checking out in-person shoppers and responding to customer questions and concerns in person, by phone, and via email.
- Maintenance of the space: Re-stocking and tidying inventory, setting up for classes, and cleaning common areas.
- Events/classes: Assisting teachers and students during occasional evening or weekend classes with non-instructional tasks.
- Coordinating trade and wholesale orders: Assisting in opening new accounts, preparing invoices, and communicating with wholesale customers.
This position is best suited to a person who is eager to learn about retail and the craft industry by helping to build a store during its early days. They will have the opportunity to impact the growth of their own role and the company as a whole. The ideal candidate will have natural curiosity and be open about giving and receiving feedback.
Doing this job well requires the following:
- Excellent attention to detail—nearly all tasks require precision in matching, counting, comparing, writing, tracking, or measuring
- Strong communication and customer service skills
- The ability to manage tasks independently and to seek help when needed
- Curiosity and critical thinking skills, i.e. the ability to notice when something seems odd and the desire to find out why
- Interest in/curiosity about craft, particularly needlework
- General tech-savviness and comfort/confidence working with computers and cloud-based software, such as website content management systems (e.g., WooCommerce)
- Availability on Saturdays and Mondays
Physical demands:
- Must be able to stand for up to 6 hours per day.
- Must be able to reach all areas of the property on a timely basis.
- Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs.
- Must be able to bend, stoop, squat and stretch to perform daily tasks.
- Prepping and packaging materials requires visual acuity and manual dexterity.
- Must be able to communicate effectively face-to-face and via phone and email.
- Must be able to work well with frequent interruptions.
To apply for this position, please email us at [email protected] with the subject line “Retail Associate.” Please include your résumé and a short cover letter that addresses why you are interested in this role at Maydel and what makes you a good fit.
Please also provide at least two references from a former job or volunteer supervisor, listing their names, titles, and phone numbers.
Above your references, please write the days and times you are regularly available, in blue.
Starting compensation is $20/hr at 12 hrs per week, with the potential to add more hours. Paid leave is provided in accordance with Chicago’s Paid Leave Ordinance.
Maydel is an equal opportunity employer. We don’t discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We welcome and encourage applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups to apply.
Due to the level of responses we receive, we will only be following up with some applicants directly, but if we feel you are a good fit, we will follow up within 7 days of this job posting. We unfortunately can’t provide specific feedback on applications that do not move forward. Thank you for applying!