St. Peter’s Mattress Factory

Photo: Art Sidner

St. Peter: St. Peter’s Mattress Factory Outlet

Bob Emery gives most of the credit to the start of his new business to his partner, Bill Peterson, and a little to Aunt Opal Mae and Uncle Ken Emery of Vernon Center.

“I knew about St. Peter because as kids we’d drive through it from our home in White Bear Lake to my aunt and uncle’s home. My dad and Ken were close brothers,” said Emery in a telephone interview.

In 1983, he started his career as a self-proclaimed “mattress geek.” He worked 13 years for Mattress Value Super Stores until that chain went out of business. Unemployed during the hot real estate market of the mid-‘90s, he joined Edina Realty as a real estate agent. Though he did well for six years, the occupation was outside his comfort zone.

From then until recently, he worked at furniture and mattress retailers, including the latest, Mattress Monster, which closed December 2012 in Burnsville. About the same time, he married a North Mankato woman, found financing through a friend (Bill Peterson) of his old Mattress Monster boss, and opened St. Peter’s Mattress Factory Outlet this June at 108 South Minnesota.

“I sell Therapedic mattresses,” said Emery. “They’re made by Medallion Sleep Products of St. Paul, which also makes King Koil. No doubt in my mind, I sell the best mattresses made. What I like about Medallion is that instead of spending money on advertising, they put that money into lower prices.”

He carries twin, full, queen, king, California king, 3/4 size—and does special orders. He offers a cool gel foam mattress. Prices range on new mattresses from $188 to $4,000. For larger orders to get better pricing, he picks up direct from the factory. As a sideline, he carries a small line of fully reconditioned mattresses starting at $279. Hours are 10-6 M-F, 10-5 Sat. and 10-6 Sun or by appointment.

St. Peter’s Mattress Factory Outlet
Address: 108 South Minnesota
Telephone: 507-934-8209