Strand Book Store Reviews

Pros

The union helps protect the booksellers, and helps have a baseline of standards that benefits the managers like paid time off and vacation rules. There are booksellers who are committed to the union and advocate for their fellow workers.

Cons

As much as everyone would like to think working at a bookstore feels like being in a rom com, it is hard work and being a manager means you don't have the protection of the union and don't have much power to advocate for yourself to your managers. The environment is very dusty and is rarely cleaned so if you have allergies or asthma it is difficult to work there without being heavily medicated. Because of the fear of bedbugs from used books, they spray the building regularly so if you have sensitivities to strong chemicals that will also be a burden on your health.

Pros

Amazing coworkers, discount on books, etc.

Cons

TERRIBLE MANAGEMENT, union busting, greedy boss, not many opportunities for advancement, etc.

Pros

Amazing coworkers, decent discount, historic place

Cons

Self centered owner. Toxic work environment

Pros

Same pros as working as a sales associate: discounts and interesting coworkers MARGINALLY higher salary than sales associate Close to no managerial supervision so your workday is less structured

Cons

Started as a sales associate and accepted a promotion to the visual merchandising team before realizing it was a massive downgrade, leading me to quit For just $0.75 more an hour, I was subjected to arduous physical labor including lifting loads of heavy boxes off of trucks and running around all corners and floors of the store to distribute merchandise or across town to other locations and back No consideration taken into who is hired for this job in terms of physical ability– I had daily back pain and so did several coworkers who were not fit for heavy lifting Even though the workday is less structured, because there are fewer types of tasks available to do it feels much less varied and much more repetitive.

Pros

Union job with union protections. Paid vacation, personal days, affordable healthcare if single. Rarities in retail work. Many good, kind, intelligent people work there.

Cons

Owner makes millions a year and doesn't care about the safety, wellbeing, or life quality of her employees. Pay is LOW. Starts at NYC minimum wage. They would pay us less if they could. Sometimes toxic work environment.