Part-Time Retail Associate & Taproom Server

BackRoads Brews + Shoes - Kitchener

Posted September 1st, 2026

BackRoads Brews + Shoes is a specialty running store, café, and taproom built around excellent customer service, thoughtful product guidance, and a welcoming community.

We help runners and walkers find the right footwear and gear, serve quality coffee and local beverages, and provide a place where people can gather before or after a run. Our Kitchener store is also home to an active running community and a variety of social runs, events, and brand experiences.

We are actively hiring a dependable and community-minded person to join our Kitchener team beginning in September 2026.

The right person will have a genuine interest in running and an understanding of what BackRoads is about: helping people enjoy an active life, providing a memorable in-store experience, and creating a place where people feel part of a community.

This is an ongoing, year-round position. We are particularly interested in applicants looking for a steady, longer-term part-time role.

Position Details

Position: Retail Associate & Taproom Server
Location: 5 Wellington Street South, Kitchener, Ontario
Job type: Part-time, approximately 15–25 hours per week
Start date: Late September 2026
Compensation: $18.00 per hour for the first three months and $18.50 per hour thereafter, plus participation in the taproom tip pool
Reports to: Store Manager and Store Owner

Hours will vary based on store needs, customer traffic, events, and employee availability. Regular weekday availability is important including day time hours, along with the ability to work some evenings, weekends, and store events.

What You’ll Do

This is a blended position that includes retail service, shoe fitting, café and taproom service, customer hospitality, and general store operations.

Customer Experience

·      Welcome customers and help create a friendly, inclusive, and comfortable store environment.

·      Have genuine conversations with customers and learn about their running, walking, footwear, or beverage preferences.

·      Provide attentive and respectful service.

·      Make thoughtful recommendations and follow through on customer questions or concerns.

·      Help customers feel comfortable whether they are experienced runners, beginning a new activity, or visiting BackRoads for the first time.

·      Represent BackRoads professionally in the store and at community events.

Retail and Shoe Fitting

·      Conduct footwear fittings and help customers select appropriate running or walking shoes.

·      Learn about BackRoads footwear, apparel, nutrition, accessories, and other products.

·      Provide clear, helpful, and approachable product education to customers with different experience levels.

·      Ask thoughtful questions and listen carefully to understand what each customer is looking for.

·      Process purchases, exchanges, returns, special orders, and other transactions through Shopify POS.

·      Support online order fulfillment, including locating, checking, packing, and preparing orders.

·      Merchandise new products and help maintain an organized and inviting sales floor.

Previous run-specialty experience is not required. Training will be provided, but the successful candidate should be interested in learning technical product information and becoming confident conducting footwear fittings.

Café and Taproom Service

·      Prepare and serve espresso-based drinks, brewed coffee, tea, matcha, and other café beverages.

·      Pour and serve beer, cider, non-alcoholic beverages, and other taproom offerings responsibly.

·      Help customers understand the available beverage options and make recommendations based on their preferences.

·      Accurately process café and taproom transactions.

·      Follow BackRoads drink standards, Smart Serve requirements, and food-safety and sanitation procedures.

·      Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming bar, café, patio, and seating area.

·      Help create a taproom environment where customers feel comfortable staying, socializing, and connecting with others.

Previous barista or taproom experience is helpful but not required.

Store Operations

·      Complete opening and closing procedures when scheduled.

·      Restock products, beverages, café supplies, fridges, and service areas.

·      Help receive, organize, and put away inventory.

·      Maintain clean and organized retail, taproom, stockroom, washrooms, and customer areas.

·      Follow cash-handling, loss-prevention, health and safety, cleaning, and incident-reporting procedures.

·      Communicate clearly with coworkers and management so tasks, customer requests, and operational issues are properly followed up on.

·      Take initiative when something needs to be cleaned, restocked, completed, or brought to a manager’s attention.

·      Contribute to a team environment where everyone helps throughout the store.

Community and Events

·      Support social runs, store events, taproom gatherings, product launches, and brand activations.

·      Help create a welcoming experience for both established BackRoads customers and people visiting for the first time.

·      Engage positively with members of the local running and walking community.

·      Help participants feel included before, during, and after BackRoads runs and events.

·      Contribute to community or social-media content when reasonably requested.

What We’re Looking For

The right person for this role:

·      Has a genuine interest in running and what BackRoads contributes to the community.

·      Is dependable, punctual, and consistent.

·      Is looking for an ongoing position.

·      Is comfortable taking responsibility and following a task through to completion.

·      Is friendly, personable, and enjoys having genuine conversations with customers.

·      Is confident speaking with customers of different ages, backgrounds, and experience levels.

·      Is calm and solutions-focused when the store becomes busy or an issue arises.

·      Can work independently without needing constant direction.

·      Is equally willing to fit shoes, pour a beer, prepare a coffee, clean a washroom, receive inventory, or help a coworker.

·      Is organized and attentive to detail.

·      Is comfortable using computers, point-of-sale systems, email, and workplace communication tools.

·      Is open to training, feedback, and established store procedures.

·      Is curious and willing to continue learning about footwear, running, coffee, beverages, and customer service.

·      Takes pride in being part of a team and contributing to a positive store culture.

Previous Experience

Previous experience in one or more of the following is an asset but is not required:

·      Retail sales

·      Hospitality or customer service

·      Barista or café service

·      Bartending or taproom service

·      Footwear or sporting-goods sales

·      Running clubs, races, coaching, volunteering, or other running-community involvement

·      Another public-facing or team-based role

Training will be provided. A positive attitude, genuine interest in running, and a willingness to learn are key attributes we’re seeking.

Requirements

·      Smart Serve certification, or the ability to obtain it before serving alcohol.

·      Ability to remain on your feet for extended periods.

·      Ability to safely receive, move, and organize product boxes, beverage supplies, and kegs as required.

·      Regular weekday availability and flexibility to work some evenings, weekends, and events.

·      Commitment to working in the position on an ongoing basis.

·      Willingness to learn and follow BackRoads procedures and service expectations.

Why Work at BackRoads?

·      Work in a unique environment combining specialty running retail, coffee, taproom service, and community.

·      Receive training in footwear fitting, product knowledge, coffee preparation, taproom service, Shopify, and store operations.

·      Join a supportive and community-minded team.

·      Build relationships with members of Kitcheners running and active-living community.

·      Participate in the taproom tip pool.

·      Receive staff discounts and other employee perks in accordance with BackRoads policies.

·      Become part of an established local business that aims to make running and active living more welcoming and enjoyable.

How to Apply

Please send your resume and a short note to aaron@backroadsrun.com explaining:

·      What interests you about running, the running community, or active living.

·      What appeals to you about BackRoads.

·      Why this ongoing part-time position suits what you are looking for.

·      Why you think you would be a good fit for the customer and community experience BackRoads aims to provide.

·      Any relevant work, volunteer, community, retail, hospitality, or customer-service experience you would bring.

Formal retail or hospitality experience is not required. We are interested in learning about who you are, why you want to work at BackRoads, and what you would bring to the team.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Selected applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Application deadline: Sunday, September 13th, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.