Co-owned by mother-daughter duo Nikki and Donna Snyder, Shelf Indulgence at 2805 N. Tamiami Trail offers a curated selection of used, in-demand books in excellent condition. Browsing the shelves of this intimate, 850-square-foot space feels like exploring a friend’s personal book collection. While Nikki and Donna carefully select stock to appeal to mainstream readers, they also showcase a rich array of marginalized literary voices.
To extend the reach of these voices, Nikki and Donna launched the “Book Bus,“ a real, purple bus named Sheila. Operating like a mobile Scholastic Book Fair, it travels to underserved areas, expanding book access. It has also adapted to the times, with Nikki explaining, “The book bus is primarily stocked with both fiction and non-fiction on social justice, feminism, authors of color, banned and challenged books, and LGBTQ+ authors.”
‘Shelf’ hosts special events and markets
Throughout the year, Shelf Indulgence, or “Shelf,” hosts special events, including The Little Thursday Night Market—a small indoor/outdoor pop-up featuring local artists and creatives—and literary-themed trivia nights. “We go all out for these events with themed decorations, curated menus, and drinks inspired by or directly mentioned in the featured books. The cosplay is always on point, too,” Nikki shares. Upcoming trivia nights include themes based on The Hunger Games and Fourth Wing. Check their website for more event details.
Events like the night market and the trivia nights testify to the Shelf’s immersive approach to customer service and client relations, fostering a safe, welcoming community. “We really take the time to get to know our customers—chances are that even if we don’t remember your name—we remember your regular coffee order, what types of books you like to read, and your dog’s name,“ Nikki adds. “But I think more than anything that, it’s our staff that is the heart of the shop. Our booksellers love to match the right book with the right reader.“
