Meet The Owner – Mattress City

Editor’s note: MyEverettNews.com is working to introduce our readers to more independent business owners here in Everett, Washington. We want to highlight their businesses, tell their stories and invite you to shop locally and help move Everett forward. If you know of a business we should feature, send us a suggestion via email: news@myeverettnews.com. Leland Dart – Publisher
 

When you find the right fit it’s not a job but a calling. For Stewart Patey, who owns Mattress City it happened more than twenty years ago after his first week working for Sleep Country.

“I realized in that job I had found my passion,” Stewart told us during a visit last week. “It was a gift, I knew it was my calling.”

Stewart explained that passion came in finding something that helps others. (A way to make people healthier through getting a good night’s sleep) and also in giving back to the community. (When he worked for Sleep Country they were famous for supporting foster family programs).

Before opening his own store in February of 2009 on Everett Mall Way, Stewart worked for Sleep County, Macy’s and America’s Mattress.

“There’s no college or university that teaches mattress 101,” Stewart explained. “I soaked up all the knowledge I could and made lists of what I liked, what I didn’t and what I’d do differently if I was in charge.”

One thing he did when opening that first store in Everett, Washington was to also open two large warehouses. It meant he could deliver the same day or within 24 hours in 95 percent of his sales. He also uses company-employed delivery people, not contractors.

“True customer service, we’re old school,” Stewart laughed. “I like to say we offer a Nordstrom experience at a Ross price.”

It’s a family business with Stewart’s wife Julie getting the credit for the company slogan. “We help you with the REST of your life.” The couple has four daughters all who grew up in the Everett area. They also have eight grandchildren.

In addition to customer service, customer education is also extremely important to Stewart and Julie Patey. “We Bed-U-Cate people,” said Stewart. “What kind of sleeper are you, hot sleeper, side sleeper, stomach sleeper? How you sleep matters so much, both in the type of firmness (firm, medium or soft top) but also the material.”

Sales people are not paid on commission and can work with people in any budget range. Mr. Patey told us half of Mattress City’s customers come from repeat or referrals, adding Mattress City also thrived during the pandemic selling hospital beds, taking care of health needs and focusing on State and Federal contracts.

Stewart had a health scare three years ago, spending most of March, April and May in a coma. He’s fully recovered now but has a renewed focus on family time. Four of their five stores are closed on Sunday for family day (due to the lease, Shoreline is open Sundays). They take time for company events and gatherings with all of the staff.

They recycle mattresses into dog beds and donate to charities in Everett and Snohomish County. Recently their fifth store opened at 5108 Evergreen Way. It’s their second location in Everett. They also have stores in Auburn, Shoreline and Lynnwood. You can learn more about them and shop online here.