Tag Archives: Ron Rudzin

Roundup: School Security, Storm Victim, Saatva Sleep …

Posted on August 24, 2024 | 1 comment

With the start of school Tuesday, the Westport Police Department, Board of Education, and Parks & Recreation Department remind residents about new school security guidelines.

On school days, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., only students, staff and people conducting school-related business are allowed on school property.

This includes Wakeman Park at Bedford Middle School, the Community Gardens at Long Lots Elementary, and all athletic fields on school property.

People involved with Wakeman Town Farm can use the parking area located at Wakeman Park.

School security officers and school security guards will monitor all sites.

Wakeman Field — a popular dog-walking site — is closed to the public when school is in session.

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Officials have confirmed that the body of a man found Thursday in the Aspetuck River, near Easton Road and Bayberry Lane, is that of Westonite Robert Macisaac.

His vehicle was swept away in Fairfield during last Sunday’s torrential rains. It was discovered several hours earlier, behind Aspetuck Falls. A police diver found the car unoccupied.

Macisaac’s body was recovered during a search-and-rescue team led by Fairfield police. Westport, Weston, State Police aviation and K-9 units assisted.

Submerged vehicle, in Fairfield. (Photo courtesy of Fairfield Police)

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I have no idea idea why “I slept like a baby” is supposed to be a good thing.

Babies get up every 2 or 3 hours. So neither they nor their exhausted parents “sleep like babies.”

But last night, I sure slept well.

It was my first night on my new Saatva mattress.

The $500 million company — which emphasizes excellent, no-hassle service, at non-premium prices; sustainability, and free delivery — started online, with a direct-to-consumer model. The goal was to counter the pervasive (and not exactly sparkling) reputation of the mattress industry.

In 2019, Saatva opened their first viewing room, in Manhattan: a relaxed, pressure-free environment

There are now 20, in upscale locations like San Francisco’s Union Square, Washington’s Logan Circle and Boston’s Back Bay.

The newest one opened a month ago — right here in Westport.

Ron Rudzin

It’s about time. The firm’s founder, Ron Rudzin, has lived here for nearly 30 years. (Click here for his back story.)

The site is next to Walgreens, in the former Citibank.

That’s where I met a very helpful, and knowledgeable, mattress consultant. Iranie provided plenty of options, asking questions about my sleeping habits I’d never even thought about.

The process went exactly as promised. Delivery by a “white glove team” was quick, efficient, and exactly when scheduled.

Saatva representatives — in Westport and New York — called several times, to make sure everything had gone okay.

Shopping at Saatva was a wonderful breeze. I made a good, informed decision with the mattress I chose.

And now I can sleep on it.

Saatva’s Westport viewing room.

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One of the many aid organizations that Westporters volunteer their time and money with is Filling in the Blanks.

The non-profit works on a variety of fronts to eradicate childhood hunger in Fairfield and Westchester County. They support 8,600 youngsters, and have distributed 300,000 pounds of food to families in need, primarily in Norwalk and Stamford.

Two Westport moms — Maddy Travers and Ashley Dowling — are chairing a big FITB fundraiser: Plates with Purpose. Westporter Meghan Ready leads the auction committee.

Well-known Westporter Mar Jennings hosts the event. Set for October 5 (The Loading Dock, Stamford), it’s a “culinary adventure” designed by chefs like Anthony Kostelis of The Whelk, Luke Venner (Elm), Damon Sawyer (29 Markle Court), Jared Falco Bar Rosina’s), Andréa Stevenson (Abigail Kirsch), and Hannah Gorman (Revel). plus specialty cocktails, a silent auction and dancing.

VIP tickets include a private cocktail tasting. 

Click here for tickets, and more information.

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The 2nd annual MoCA Gives Back and MoCA Summer Camp Kaleidoscope Exhibition opens tomorrow (Sunday, August), with a reception (12:30 to 3:30 p.m.).

The event includes music by DJ Justin and DJ Joe, the Taste of Grill food truck and treats from South Norwalk Ice Cream, plus a fashion show with designs by MoCA Gives Back participants (3 p.m.).

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The “dog days of summer” may already be over.

But don’t tell that to guests at Old Mill Grocery & Deli.

(Photo/Sunil Hirani)

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature shows a serene scene at Sherwood Island State Park, looking toward Burying Hill Beach.

It’s part of the beauty that is all around us, every day. Take time to enjoy it!

(Photo/Wendy Levy)

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And finally … in honor of my new Saatva mattress (story above):

(We hope you enjoy this “06880” Roundup, today and every day. Here’s our dream: That every reader feels a part of our online community, by clicking here to support our work. Thank you!)

 

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Posted in Arts, Local business, Police

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Saatva Sets Sights On Westport

Posted on June 10, 2024 | 7 comments

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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Posted in Local business, Restaurants

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Sleeping With The Pope

Posted on October 4, 2015 | 5 comments

As chairman of Westport’s Parks and Recreation Commission, Charlie Haberstroh takes his job seriously. So the other day he read a long Wall Street Journal story titled “The New Mattress Professionals.” Hey, beds are great spots for recreational activities, right?

Charlie plowed through tons of details about Eve and Casper, Leesa and Keetsa. These startups are apparently turning the mattress industry upside down, with new marketing techniques. One of those is “celebrity endorsements or associations.”

Near the end, this caught Charlie’s eye:

Pope Francis was expected to sleep on a memory foam relaxed firm queen-sized mattress by West Port, Conn.-based online luxury mattress startup Saatva’s Loom & Leaf division. The pontiff visited the Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary near Philadelphia last weekend, according to Stephen Dolan, the seminary’s chief financial officer. Mr. Dolan said the mattress was donated but declined to comment further and referred questions to the company.

Saatva chief executive Ron Rudzin says he is “simply honored and blessed” by the news.

I could not find a photo of the pope and his mattress. So this will have to do.

I could not find a photo of the pope and his mattress. So this will have to do.

Stuart Carlitz, chief executive of Bedding Industries of America, which manufactures Saatva mattresses, says he was approached by representatives from the World Meeting of Families, who asked if he could supply a bed for the Holy Father…. Mr. Carlitz says he donated the Saatva mattress, which retails for $999.

Today is Sunday. That’s a work day for the pope, so I couldn’t call the Vatican to ask how he slept.

Saatva Ron Rudzin, in a press photo. That's the Saugatuck River behind him.

Saatva Ron Rudzin, in a press photo. That’s the Saugatuck River behind him.

I had never heard of Saatva — let alone known that it’s headquartered right here in 06880.

I checked the company’s website to learn more about their Westport connection. I could not find much — beyond CEO Rudzin saying he likes to fish in the Saugatuck River — but I did find this:

Saatva is the fastest growing online mattress company in the country. Our honest passion for making each customer happy is the daily mantra. Our non commissioned, courteous and expert representatives give honest “no pressure” guidance. Our teams working in our 14 ‘partnering’ American factories are so proud to be building a luxury product that is healthy for the body and safe for the environment.

Additionally, we believe in building long term friendships with our delivery teams throughout our fulfillment centers. We love the culture that we’ve created as we are a wonderfully diverse and spirited group of employees who enjoy doing our part to keep America building.

So where is Saatva located?

There is no address on their website. BBB Business Review says they’re at 8 Wright Street. MerchantCircle.com puts them at 25 Sylvan Lane South, Suite W.

I would have called headquarters to find out.

But it’s Sunday. Everyone is sleeping in.

In addition to sleeping on a Westport mattress, Pope Francis apparently made an unannounced visit to Landtech, the engineering consultant firm in Saugatuck.

In addition to sleeping on a Westport mattress, Pope Francis apparently made an unannounced visit to Landtech, the engineering consultant firm in Saugatuck.

 

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Posted in Local business, People, religion, Saugatuck

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