Spilling the Tea

January 2026 Newsletter

Here is the promised newsletter (especially for those of you excited to apply for one of our job openings) and with updates on our renovations.

In September of 2024, we purchased the old Ericksen's Meat and Grocery building at 49 W Main Street in Mount Pleasant. Since then, we have been working on a ton of demolition, repairs, and renovations with the end goal of having the bookshop in the storefront (a small cafe/tearoom will be added later), an Airbnb in the upstairs, and a lithography art studio in the rear (for my husband). We have been making a ton of progress but it always takes more time than you think, especially when the government is involved! We were thrilled to be awarded a $50k historic preservation grant but that has added to our time line as it requires additional approvals and inspections, but we know the final product will be worth it.

Until then, please come and see us in our current location (above the police station) at 115 West Main Street on Tuesday evenings from 5-9 or Saturdays from 11-4. You can also support our renovations by ordering online from our Bookshop.org storefront or set up a Libro.fm account if you prefer audiobooks.

Here you can see what the building storefront 
looked like in 1895, just 2 years after it was built.

And here it is today--we love that it hasn't changed much! The door on the left will be the stairs to the Airbnb and the right door will be the bookstore/tearoom.

Now, About those Jobs . . .

As we mentioned in our social media post, we are now accepting applications for 2 positions: Bookseller and Romance/Romantasy Expert

The Bookseller will work in Mount Pleasant. Hours will be limited at first but can be increased in the future. Greatest need will be for someone available from 10-2:30 on weekdays during the school year (summers hours can be more flexible). Immediate hours would be a few hours a week on Saturday afternoons or Tuesday evenings. Training pay would be $10/hr. but I would increase once fully trained.The ideal candidate will be widely read and enthusiastic about books, comfortable speaking with customers, running a cash register, and full of ideas for marketing, events, and displays.

The Romance/Romantasy expert needs to be OBSESSED with the genre. It is not my favorite so I need someone who keeps up with BookTok and Bookstagram and can let me know what popular and upcoming books I need to order. Other responsibilities would include creating a romance-focused social media post once a week and possibly running a romance book club monthly. Most of this job could be done remotely but you could also be trained as a bookseller and work in the store sometimes too. Pay would be $100/month stipend.

Both positions would receive the following perks:
1 free new-release book a month
30% employee discount
Plus accounts for free advanced listening and reading copies

If you have any questions about the application before you submit yours, you may text them to me at 435-314-9691.

To apply for the Bookseller position please send an email to CuriosiTeaBookshop@gmail.com in which you include the following information: --"Bookseller Application" in the subject line. --Your name and phone number --Why you want this job and think you would be good at it. --Tell me about 1 or 2 of the best books you read this year and why you liked them. --Tell me about 1 of your all time favorite books and why it is a favorite. --Tell me how you would help a customer looking for recommendations in a genre you don't typically read. --Can you alphabetize and count back change? --Are you available from 10:30-2:30 Tuesday through Friday during the school year? If not, what hours are you available? --What events do you think we should have once we move into our new location? --Any questions you have for me. Applications accepted until the position is filled but I plan to schedule interviews beginning February 5th.

To apply for the Romance/Romantasy Expert position please send an email to CuriosiTeaBookshop@gmail.com in which you include the following information:

--"Romance/Romantasy Expert Application" in the subject line.
--Your name and phone number
--Why you want this job and think you would be good at it.
--Tell me about 1 or 2 of the best romance books you read this year and why you liked them.
--Tell me about 1 of your all time favorite books and why it is a favorite.
--How do you stay on top of what romance books are popular and coming out soon?
--Create a list of about 50 romance or romantasy books you think I should stock in the bookstore right now (up to 10 can be books that haven't come out yet but that you expect to be popular.
--Are you skilled at making Instagram posts and reels?
--Since one of the main roles of this position will be creating romance book social media posts, please create a short Instagram Reel on a Romance book or author that you think will engage followers. It should be a minimum of 7 seconds and a max of 30 seconds. If you don't want to post this publicly, you can post it as a private YouTube video (selecting the option that it can be viewed by those with the link and then post the link to the video in your email application).

Applications accepted until the position is filled but I plan to schedule interviews beginning February 5th.