Mattress Mack Opens Stores For Houstonians In Need

by

Katie Golde

| Updated:

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When flood waters started to rise in the city of Houston, a local businessman, Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale opened two of his furniture stores to provide temporary shelter to more than 400 evacuees.

“Houstonians have a safe, dry place to take shelter at Gallery Furniture so if they can get here they are welcome,” said McIngvale a release on Sunday, according to the Houston Chronicle. “We hope to give them some comfort in this incredibly difficult time.”

McIngvale reached out on social media platforms like Twitter to share the message that his stores were open for those seeking shelter. He also posted a video to Facebook on Sunday spreading the message that his store was open and even giving out his personal phone number. The post has garnered more than 3 million views.

On Monday, McIngvale told NPR’s All Things Considered that both of his stores were at full capacity, housing about 400 people between the two locations.

“We sell home theater furniture that you watch TV in, they’re sleeping on that. They’re sleeping on recliners, sleeping on sofas and love seats. We have sleeper sofas, they pulled them out and slept on that,” McIngvale told NPR’s Morning Edition. “They’re sleeping on hundreds of mattresses throughout the store. They’re sleeping on the couches — wherever they can find a place that’s comfortable, and God bless ’em.”

HurricaneHarveyHoustonHouston, TX – AMFPhotography/Shutterstock

Houston has seen catastrophic flooding as a result of Hurricane Harvey, which hit the Texas coastline as a Category 4 hurricane over the weekend.

The remaining storm continues to bring record rainfall to the nation’s fourth-largest city. More than 17,000 people have sought refuge in the shelters provided by the state, according to the American Red Cross.

To donate, text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

 

Featured image:  IrinaK/Shutterstock

 

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Katie Golde

Katie Golde

Senior Digital Content Manager/Managing Editor​

About Author

Katie Golde is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and previously served Managing Editor and Head of Sleep Research for Mattress Clarity. She handled the daily operations of the site and you’ll still see her in plenty of reviews, from mattresses to travel pillow and bed pillow reviews – plus the occasional How-To video. In addition, Katie reported, writed, and edited sleep health and sleep industry news for the site.

Since joining the Mattress Clarity team in 2016, she has reviewed hundreds of sleep products, like bed pillows and mattresses and written over 200 sleep-related stories for the site. She probably knows more about bamboo sheets and bed pillows than any one person should.

Katie has been writing about wellness-related topics, including sleep, for the last eight years. The first sleep story she wrote covered the best and worst foods to eat before bed. Her previous work can be found in print and online publications like Discover Magazine, USA Today, Bustle and The Huffington Post.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in Journalism with a focus on Interactive Publishing from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism as well. During her graduate studies, Katie focused on health and science reporting and she received the G.D. Crain Award for demonstrating leadership, management, and entrepreneurial excellence during her final innovation project.

Education & Credentials