An interview with Jeff Giagnocavo and Ben McClure of Gardner’s Mattress & More: Why do they support the Gifts that Give Hope Fair?
by Marian Pontz
Creating an Experience Built on Guidance and Trust
For fifteen years, Ben and Jeff have owned and operated Gardner’s Mattress & More. They have set themselves apart from all the other mattress stores by creating a special experience for each, as Jeff calls them, client, not customer. Finding the right fit in a sea of choices begins with taking as much time as needed in the sleep assessment center. Questions are answered, needs are understood and met, all because this business is set up to be a partner, guide, and supporter of its guests. So, when asked why they support the Gifts that Give Hope Fair, Jeff responds, “We support individual entrepreneurs, family businesses, those craftspeople who are using their skills to offer a unique and better product.” Ben adds, “My wife is passionate about artisans and businesses that are Fair Trade.”
Something for Everyone at the Gifts That Give Hope Fair
Like a mall where each family member has their favorite store, people who come to the Gifts That Give Hope Fair have their favorite part. There is the non-profit room, where 30 nonprofits and their representatives are set up to explain their international, national, or local missions and detail how your gift will be invested to fulfill them. Then there is the children’s area, where kids can participate in a scavenger hunt, read books, and win those books. Then there is the part of the fair that Jeff and Ben were referring to, where local artisans, B corps, Fair Trade, and environmentally concerned entrepreneurs sell their wares. From clothing and jewelry to candles, coffee, and chocolate, these tangible gifts can be purchased individually or combined with certificates of gift to the non-profit. And finally, the food trucks that nourish our hungry selves after a day of good deed shopping.
Supporting the People Behind the Products
Jeff takes a few minutes to explain the backstory of some of the mattress brands, their owners, and the relationships he has developed with each. From a Turkish immigrant and his family living the dreams of so many immigrants-to work hard, build something that they can be proud of, and support their families, to The Williams &Co where two sisters are third generation owners and now, as Jeff says, “Have a hand in every detail from marketing to the construction and composition of the mattresses.”
Creating Relationships Beyond the Transaction
In my discussion with Jeff, I realized that the Gifts that Give Hope Fair and Gardner’s Mattress & More share a similar mission: to create relationships that last beyond the transaction, because the transaction does not stop at the door; its effects are felt well beyond geographic boundaries and time. The power we have in using our money to buy and invest in products that are not only desired but also support people doing good in the world is even greater when there is a supportive, special place we can go to get all our questions answered. Most of us want to make smart choices and help others, but sometimes we can become overwhelmed with options. There is comfort in knowing that, whether walking into Gardner’s Mattress & More or the Gifts that Give Hope Fair, patient and knowledgeable experts are available to guide us in making purchases that meet our needs while also making a powerful, positive ripple effect in our world.
