Some people have great ideas lying in bed.
Ron Rudzin — founder and CEO of Saatva, the luxury mattress company whose made-to-order products are hand-delivered by white-glove teams — had one sitting at the Sherwood Diner.
Ron Rudzin
He’d already added 18 “viewing rooms” — places where customers can experience Saatva comfort in a relaxed, pressure-free environment before beginning a 365-night home trial — in upscale locations like San Francisco’s Union Square, Washington’s Logan Circle and Boston’s Back Bay.
Now he was looking at Greenwich, for a site to serve all of Connecticut.
But that Saturday morning, having his traditional breakfast in his favorite diner seat, he saw the empty former Citibank building across the Post Road, next to Walgreens.
Rudzin did not sleep on it. He made the decision: Saatva’s newest location will be Westport, where he has lived for nearly 30 years.
It opens this summer.
Saatva’s new Westport location. (Photo courtesy of Google Maps)
That’s great news for anyone looking for a great mattress (and accessories); who wants excellent, no-hassle service; who does not want to pay premium prices — and who prefers not to shop totally online, where Saatva’s business began in 2007.
Rudzin’s story began much earlier. At 16 the Queens native got a job with Jennifer Furniture. The company evolved from 1 location, into a 218-store national chain selling convertible sofas and furniture.
Over 20 years Rudzin worked his way up from sales representative to store manager, then vice president of national sales.
When he left in 2007 he was fascinated by internet businesses like Zappos, the online shoe retailer. Focusing on mattresses, he bought some of the most popular ones, paying between $2,200 and $2,500.
Taking them apart, he realized he could sell them direct to consumers for $1,500 less.
And because he knew all about home delivery, he realized he could do a better job of that too.
Amassing a team of industry veterans and bright young people — combining business acumen with tech savviness — he started Saatva.
The word comes from the Sanskrit “sattva,” which means “goodness” or “purity.”
Saatva sells mattresses in every category …
The idea was to counter the pervasive reputation of the mattress industry. The “S” also positioned it right up with leading companies like Sealy, Serta and Simmons.
Rudzin has overseen tremendous growth. The company owns its factories. It works with 150 companies, who deliver products anywhere in the US, 7 to 15 days after an order is placed.
They make mattresses in every category, with an emphasis on sustainability.
In 2019, Saatva opened their first viewing room on Manhattan’s 3rd Avenue, between 57th and 58th Streets. It’s most likely the lcountry’s argest grossing mattress store per square foot.
But it’s not a traditional one. “We don’t scream ‘50% off!'” Rudzin says.
“I always say, ‘sleep is an activity. You have to prepare for it.’ We don’t rush people.”
… and related products too.
He likens his midtown location — and other viewing rooms — to what Restoration Hardware would be like, if they sold mattresses.
“There’s a lot of energy, when people come to our showroom,” says Rudzin. “Beautiful music, great aroma, 7 or 8 people ready to help.”
That help extends beyond the brick-and-mortar locations, and the online presence.
Very quietly, Saatva supports the communities it is in.
Locally, they’ve provided mattresses to Homes with Hope and A Better Chance of Westport.
In New York, Rudzin sits on the board of Pencil. The non-profit connects business partners and educators, to help mentor students and help them succeed on their paths to college.
During COVID, Saatva produced 75,000 masks a week, and provided them free to first responders around the country.
The supply chain was less of an issue than for many other companies. Saatva owns its own factories, on the East and West Coasts and in the Midwest.
Rudzin is grateful for the success he’s had. Saatva is a $500 million company. It employs 300 men and women directly; 200 more in its factories, and 2,000 truck drivers, deliverers and riggers.
But he never forgets his roots.
“I grew up in Queens,” he says. “Now I see rigs, trucks, mattresses — all from an idea I had years ago.”
Soon, he’ll see it all in the town he has called home for 28 years.
Right across the street from his favorite booth, in his hometown diner.
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That’s exciting! Love my Saatva mattress.
Have owned my Saatva for 8 years and it is still going strong. Great company, great products !
After moving to WY from Westport 8 years ago, I outfitted my new home with Saatva mattresses and they remain like new. “White glove service” is absolutely correct and it doesn’t surprise me that the Rudzin family are generous with their hard earned dollars, it’s who they are. Hats off to Ronnie, Chiara and Paige for the family effort, mutual support and well deserved accolades.
We’re on our third saatva mattered and the experience has been very good. Right now, their classic queen size is $1795 and their prices are going up. Tomorrow.
Three cheers for Chicago’s Saatva outfit! I bought my Saatva a few years ago because it was a great product but mainly because of its Westport origins! Wonderful service – comfortable sleeping. Even my cat Olive Reindeer loves using it as a scratching post while beds are being made!
This is quite an accomplishment, but not a surprise!
Ron has the skill, commitment, and vision to make any company a success! Saatva products are exemplary!!
Plugging for a quintessential olde-tymie Westport place: Sherwood Diner needs to go onto the National Register of Historic Places. Can’t be the only Good Idea “served up” there! Come to think of it, let’s add The Carvel store. Two good things that haven’t changed in the ever-changing “Town of Homes.”