Gardner’s Mattress & More is a full-service mattress store featuring an extensive line of natural and organic mattresses, pillows, sheets and bedframes. Jeff Giagnocavo, co-owner with Ben McClure, emphasizes that his team truly believes in the products they sell. He says, “We don’t align with the big names in mattresses that most people would know—we like offering natural products because of their durability and quality, and it takes a different level of experience and skill to convey the value of organic products to customers.”

The line of natural and organic offerings has expanded to include mattresses from Posh & Lavish, makers of natural latex mattress, and the Harvest organic product line, which uses certified organic cotton and latex with no synthetic materials. Natural cotton and wool are used as a fire barrier with coil springs for support. The Hemmingway line offers all-natural latex, cotton, silk and wool, along with two-sided mattresses that can be rotated to extend the life.

“As a family-owned business, we support family-owned companies. Smaller companies are more involved and responsive to any concerns. We can work directly with them to quickly fix issues,” notes Giagnocavo. “We like aligning with smaller, independent factories that value our business and treat our customers like their customers because by extension, they are.”

The abundance of low-cost bedding products available through online retail giants might seem like a good deal, but Giagnovaco cautions that many of those products are made with inexpensive ingredients such as poor-quality fiberglass as a fire barrier.  Those elements quickly shred and fall apart, sometimes causing adverse reactions such as allergies and rashes.

“Latex is the most durable ingredient you can put into a mattress,” says Giagnocavo. “It’s not a poly-chemical, so it’s not polyurethane foam, which quickly breaks down once it reacts to oxygen. Natural latex material is made from the sap of rubber trees, so it’s impervious to oxygen breakdown. Its natural spring offers a blend of comfort and support that’s also durable.” He explains that a properly cared for and protected latex mattress can last around 20 years. Gardner’s has a Dream Room for customers to try mattresses before they buy.

Gardner’s Mattress & More makes their own natural latex pillows onsite. Latex pillows can be custom-made to fit each individual, and they can be adjusted by adding or removing filling. “Latex is antimicrobial, and it’s a very clean product,” Giagnocavo adds. He also advises that sleep items sold in large department stores or online packaged as bamboo pillow or bamboo mattresses often have bamboo covers, but the fillings are polyester blends with minimal bamboo. Because our skin is the largest organ of the body and conducts osmosis, he says it’s important to think about what kind of pillows are touching the face. Because most people sleep with reduced bed clothing, the skin is in constant contact with those surfaces.

Giagnocavo wrote an informational book, Sleep Better, available at the store.  There’s also an array of specific buying guides with advice for purchasing mattresses, adjustable bed bases and natural and organic products. In January 2021, Giagnocavo and McClure launched the Lancaster Connects podcast as a way to be more connected to the community that supports their business. They’ve often done cash and in-kind donations and give-backs, but the podcast takes community engagement to the next level, highlighting local charities, small businesses and individual heroes doing good in the community.