[EXCLUSIVE] Local Sleep Store Secures Space in Suburban Shopping Center

When ToNeTo Atlanta exclusively reported January 17 that Marshalls was moving to Merchants Walk, we knew there was leftover space, but we did not at that time know who would occupy it, now we do.  Joining Marshalls in the former Stein Mart will be locally owned Sleep Galleria, a relatively new retailer looking to modernize the mattress buying experience. 

Sleep Galleria will occupy a 6,582 square foot space to the left of Marshalls marking its overall location.  Founded in 2018 by Stephen Norris, his brother Patrick Norris, and Stephen Popov, Sleep Galleria opened their first store in Acworth in 2018, followed by a second in Johns Creek in 2020.  The new East Cobb store will be the growing chain's largest to date.  

Stephen Norris, who spent nearly 13 years with Mattress Firm before leaving in June 2018, launched Sleep Galleria to innovate an industry he knew plenty about, but one that from his perspective had become boring to in-store shoppers.  A design firm known for working with spas was brought in to create a "spa-like" shopping experience in which the store feels more like a relaxing spa than a used car dealership.  This effort includes the store's "signature scent" which is present throughout the store.  Additionally, to further elevate the experience, efforts are made to "gallerize" the products to assist customers in visualizing them - mattresses, massage chairs, zero gravity chairs & recliners and bedding - all in their place at home.  

Typically, mattresses are purchased every eight to ten years, and while that's not a frequent purchase, Norris and his team still hope to establish a relationship with customers rather than just treat them as transactions, in an effort to make them customers for life.  

In addition to mattresses from top-makers Sealy, Stearns & Foster and Tempur-Pedic, Sleep Galleria also features several other lesser-known brands as well as value-oriented mattresses from its recently launched Dreams Collection, a house brand.  

Norris tells ToNeTo Atlanta that his company plans to open their new East Cobb outpost by the beginning of May.  Plans call for 2 to 3 more locations in metro Atlanta over the next twelve months or so, but given the brand's premium positioning, don't expect any Mattress Firm-like growth with locations seemingly on every corner.  

While Marshalls and Sleep Galleria are the largest additions, two other businesses are also joining Merchants Walk:  

Perspire Sauna Studio will open in an 1,800 square foot space between Chipotle and Duck Donuts.  The new East Cobb outpost will be the California-based company's fifth franchise in metro Atlanta with a sixth planned for Alpharetta.  The Bar Method, a barre franchise owned by Atlanta-based Roark Capital Group, most recently occupied the space.  Perspire franchisees already operate Atlanta area studios in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Virginia Highland and McDonough.  

Also in the center, One Medical, the San Francisco-based primary care provider, will open its seventh overall Atlanta area office.  One Medical will open in the 4,250 square foot outparcel building recently vacated by Verizon when they relocated to a smaller space elsewhere in the center.  One Medical current operates Atlanta area offices in Buckhead (Terminus), Midtown (Icon Midtown apartments), Old Fourth Ward (Ponce City Market) and at The Battery Atlanta near Smyrna.  The medical provider also has upcoming locations planned for Dunwoody (Dunwoody Marketplace) and Alpharetta, where it will open alongside an upcoming location of Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, among other tenants.  

Where did you buy your last mattress?  Have you been to one of the existing Sleep Galleria stores?  What other types of businesses would you most like to see open in Merchants Walk?

Please share your thoughts below.