Need a date this Valentine’s Day? Shelf Love DSM can hook you up.
Writer: Jinessa Lewis
Photos: Leah Heagy
Love is in the air as Valentine’s Day approaches. Whether you’re taken, single or somewhere in between, there’s one kind of date that never disappoints: a good romance book.
From slow-burn love stories to spicy page-turners, romance novels let readers fall in love again and again, no matter the season. But with bookstores carrying hundreds of titles across every imaginable style and genre, finding “the one” can feel almost as overwhelming as finding a mate.
That’s where Shelf Love DSM comes in, to be your literary matchmaker. Located in the heart of the Drake neighborhood, this romance-only bookstore carries a love story for just about every taste. From dark fantastical thrillers to silly heart-warming comedies, the Shelf Love team has the book for you.
The store opened last summer and has already attracted a devoted following. Owner Sarah Gardner-Bergen designed it as a safe space for romance readers — a place to find not only the perfect book but also a community of fellow fans. A romance lover herself, she wanted a shop where the staff know the genre inside and out and offer recommendations that feel genuine.
Customers come from around town and even from out of state. It “just makes me wanna cry,” she said. “It’s the coolest thing. Hearing people say that Shelf Love is their favorite place to be brings me so much joy.”
Gardner-Bergen noted that plenty of other bookstores carry romance novels, but some readers still consider the genre taboo. More than a few “serious” readers look down on romance fans.
“Romance is not always respected,” she said. “I just think we need a space for us to enjoy those things. There’s so much uncertainty and horrible things happening in the world, and we should have at least one joyful place to go.”
Besides selling books, Gardner-Bergen prioritizes building a community whose members feel comfortable sharing their interests. She has organized clubs for customers to experience the stories together, either through silent reading in the shop or listening to audiobooks on walks. “Seeing people get other people’s phone numbers and make those friendships through the store is everything I could have ever wanted,” Gardner-Bergen said.
At its heart, Shelf Love DSM is more than just a bookstore but also a space where passion, connection and self-expression flourish. In a world that often makes people second-guess what they love, the shop offers a gentle reminder to choose your own adventure, without hesitation.
As Gardner-Bergen puts it, “Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not OK to enjoy what you enjoy. There’s no reason to dull or hide the things that bring you joy.”
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