Mattresses Wholesale, Maplewood Bedding

Maplewoodcustombedding.com

Micha, our youngest son, needed a new mattress. It is yet another of my attempts to conquer his allergies.

Of course, there are the obvious places to get a mattress, but oh the joys denied when you take the well traveled path.

From the time I walked into the 100 year old building, happy stories followed.

My first greeting was by three of the most mellow dogs I've ever met. Jack, Babe, and Harry were definitely welcoming but in no way assertive, they waited quietly to be recognized and happily accepted any offered patting. As I talked to John I learned of his serious commitment to abused animals. He has rescued dozens of dogs, keeping some, like the threesome at the store, and working in cooperation with a private shelter to find homes for the others.

John Schaffer is the Grandson of the John Schaffer who started the family in the mattress business 6o years ago. They were originally located in the garment district downtown, but in the '70s moved to their present location on Sutton Av. in downtown Maplewood. About 80% of their sales come from folks just like us needing a new mattress and box spring. The other 20% are larger commercial customers including many not for profit agencies who provide sleeping arrangements for the homeless. From what I've learned about John, my hunch is he offers them a more than fair deal.

Now this is the real-deal here at Mattress Wholesale, Maplewood Bedding. Behind the show room...

is the actual factory where our mattress was made.

From the quilting of the cover on this impressive old machine,

to the assembly of frame, springs and pads, it is all done right here.

In fact, they can make any size bed you would like, custom work is their specialty.

You see all of those frames? Those are all handmade out of hardwood. Mr. Fulbright is a Baptist minister from Pine Bluff and made them in his barn. He is 70-something years old and he has been making them, loading them and hauling them to St.Louis for years now. He always delivers on time, unless he calls up to say "Johnny, I'm gonna be a day late, I've got to tend to a funeral here at home today."

OK, one more happy story.....this is Justin and his little girl, Alli. His cute wife Tammy is watching but not in the picture. 15 years ago Justin was a floundering kid, bored with school, skipping school, expecting to drop out of school. His Dad said, "then you better get a job." It was his good fortune to get a job sweeping up at a mattress company in Maplewood. At a point when his life could have gone either way, he received good guidance and caring instruction. Today he has become a very skilled and trusted employee. He knows every part of this business and when John is ready to retire it will be Justin who keeps this valued local business alive.

I guess you could say they do things the old-fashioned way. John says it is all about having a good product, but also respecting people enough to be honest with them. Of course, he wants to sell mattresses; it is how he supports his family and pays his 7 loyal employees. Actually though, he insists he is not the boss. To John they are all partners, each specializing in a different part of the business.

We have a new mattress now, and Micha hasn't been sick since it came home. I am hopeful.

Maybe you should try Mattress Wholesale. You won't meet nicer folks anywhere; you will not find a sturdier mattress and box spring anywhere; and you can have it made any way you like. Even Goldilocks could find a mattress that is just right at Maplewood Bedding. I'm sure you will too