A storage system includes a plurality of shelves, an aisle and a plurality of ladders. The plurality of shelves includes a pair of fixed shelves and at least one mobile shelf located between the pair of fixed shelves. The aisle is selectively configured to be located between two of the plurality of shelves. The plurality of ladders are spaced apart from and stored at an end of the at least one mobile shelf for slidable access into the aisle. Each ladder engages with a pair of fixed rails that span at least a length of the fixed shelves. A number of ladders correspond with a number of selectively defined aisles.