Business Focus: Your sleep could depend on it
POST FALLS – Kent Daniels had a problem that plagued him for the better part of a year – a $2,800 purchase had come back to haunt him, though not in his dreams, where he’d prefer.
Since their top-of-the-line mattress – just a few years old – broke down, many restless nights had ensued for Kent and his wife, Lynda. But once the Hayden Lake man heard that a trusted friend and salesman opened a mattress shop in Post Falls, the Danielses were off to Skore’s Mattress to try things out firsthand.
“Greg (Skore) said you give the best deals around,” said Kent, as he and Lynda tried out several of the mattresses scattered throughout the store and chatted with Greg’s son and assistant store manager, Joe Skore. Kent said he came to Skore’s Mattress because he’s known Greg for five years and “he’s always treated us right.”
In the Hillstead Plaza off Seltice Way, Greg Skore and family last year devoted their shop exclusively to Sealy products, becoming the only sellers in North Idaho of the world’s top-selling mattress brand. With 28 different comfort-level mattresses spread throughout the store’s interior and a staff knowledgeable on all-things-mattresses, customers have a chance to test drive and compare all the products the mattress maker has to offer.
“I’d always wanted to run my own store,” said Greg, 58, owner of the Post Falls outlet. “We’re just a family-run, North Idaho company.”
The father of five children and former insurance-industry employee, Greg Skore has worked in the furniture and bedding business for almost 30 years, including as assistant manager of Conlin’s Furniture in Missoula and three years with Runge Furniture in Coeur d’Alene. He’s an expert at fitting a customer’s comfort with the perfect product.
“It’s like buying a brand-new pair of shoes,” he explained. “I fit them individually to their beds.”
Last year, when the only other mattress shop in town closed its doors, Greg took the opportunity and offered Joe a sizable raise to help the store get started. And after looking at the predictions for Post Falls’ future, all signs pointed to a prairie population set to swell.
“The growth potential of Post Falls and Rathdrum is just phenomenal,” Greg said, adding that he wanted “to run a company where the money will stay here (local).”
Once Skore’s Mattress opened, their in-store showcase grew to 28 “comfort stations.” The Skores also met some die-hard Sealy mattress fans, including a woman who owned one of the mattresses for more than 55 years. “We’re definitely not in the repeat business,” said Joe, about selling their long-term investments that range in price from $300 to the $3,000 Posturepedic memory foam mattresses. “Sealy definitely are the most durable mattress.”
It is an important purchase, Joe said: “You’re in your bed for one-third of your life.”
To differentiate themselves from other mattress places in the area, the Skores offer free shipping “no matter what” for any mattress sold and a 60-day comfort exchange. And, Greg added, they can sell for less because they have less overhead expenses.
But the one thing that mattered most to the Danielses was the showroom floor, where they finally found their magic match – slightly firm for Kent and stable enough to not wake up Lynda if her husband stirs. “We haven’t slept good for a week,” proclaimed Kent, after settling in to the several-hundred-dollar model that will eventually make its way to their bedroom. “I’m looking forward to it; finally get a good night’s sleep.”
With their choice made, the Danielses said they are glad to have made a slightly longer trip into Post Falls to do business with someone whom they’ve known for several years.
“We do business with people we know and trust,” he said. “Greg’s always been a good salesman. Always treat people good who’ve been good to you.”