If you’ve driven down College Avenue recently, you may have noticed the new addition of the Whispering Shelf, a new and used bookstore dedicated to “providing Indianapolis booklovers access to their next great story.”
On April 27, the Whispering Shelf sought to create a third space – building off the idea that a first space is your home, a second space to earn income, and a third space is where people can go to have fun, nourish their creativity, and interact with the community.
“We really want to be a third space for people in the community,” said Marlowe Harp, store manager of The Whispering Shelf.
The red-brown bricks and large garage-style windows help the white logo stand out. Inside, plush chairs and bar-style seating encourages guests to get comfortable and dig into their purchases before they go home.
“The Whispering Shelf is cozy and welcoming while also being vibrant and lively,” said Abbey Sieman, who visited the bookstore for their grand opening. “It’s a place where you want to spend time in, not just grab a book and race out of there. It seems like everyone in there just wants to be friends, connect, and have a good time.”
Providing a new life for used books and a space for newly-published works, The Whispering Shelf has a wide range of genres for anyone looking to learn something new or find a comforting favorite.
“The atmosphere was very inviting. I loved the open-air feel since they had the garage door open. The employees were all super friendly and helpful,” said Brittany Wright, an Indianapolis native who visited the store opening day.
Aside from providing a space for local book enthusiasts, The Whispering Shelf also emphasizes six core values to help further their vision of creating access to the written word for everyone in the community. In addition, the company promotes the love of books through a partnership with IPS teachers to provide books students want to read.
A member of a small community of Indianapolis independent booksellers, The Whispering Shelf opened their doors on Independent Bookstore Day, a day to celebrate the community and the service it provides to everyone.
“Independent bookstores are so incredibly important,” Sieman said. “They create a space for people to connect and talk about things they love…I’ve never met nicer, more welcoming people than at our Indianapolis local bookstores.”
In addition to partnering with companies and public organizations, The Whispering Shelf also hosts events for the local community – such as a Frida’s Flowers pop-up with build-your-own mini bouquets and make-your-own Mother’s Day cards.
For information about upcoming events, follow @thewhisperingshelf on Instagram, or browse their current selection of books at www.thewhisperingshelf.com.
Contact Staff Writer Hanna Rauworth at 317.762.7854 or follow her at @hanna.rauworth
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
