By Gina Zammit

WESTPORT — Few things are as indulgent as breakfast in bed, particularly on a weekday. So, when I received an invitation to attend the grand opening of Saatva at 888 Post Road East and enjoy my morning meal in one of their luxury mattresses, I RSVP’d yes.

Saatva is the brainchild Westporter Ron Rudzin. Initially developed as an online-only business that kept prices lower than competitors by cutting out the middle man, Rudzin had the vision to open the first Saatva “viewing room” (store) in New York City in 2019. 

Showrooms quickly popped up in major cities across the U.S., and the Westport store is the company’s 19th brick-and-mortar location. Rudzin was inspired to open a store in his hometown after spotting a vacant building (formerly Citibank) while having a meal at one of his favorite local haunts, Sherwood Diner.

The name Saatva is derived from the Sanskrit word sattva, which means “the quality of goodness and purity.” These values are reflected in the high quality and eco-friendly materials that are used in all of its products. 

Today, Saatva is a $500 million business, committed to principles of comfort, quality and service. Its mattresses are handcrafted in the U.S., delivered free of charge and never stuffed in a box.

Aside from mattresses, Saatva also carries bed frames, pillows, bedroom chairs and rugs, and even dog beds.  

Spirits were high Tuesday morning as the Saatva staff eagerly awaited the arrival of a curated selection of local residents and press for the official opening celebration. The store had a soft opening in late July.

Westport touches were everywhere, from the offering of PopUp Bagels, juices from Green & Tonic, and mini spa treatments from GlowBar aestheticians. The event also offered complimentary robes with custom embroidery from Brooklyn artist Danica Pantic, specialty coffee drinks from Pitcher Coffee.

I chatted with local Bob Garrison after he looked particularly comfortable trying out the Saatva Solaire model. He and his wife, Brie, have the distinction of being Saatva’s first online customers in 2010 and remain fans of the brand. “Maybe we should switch to this one,” he pondered as he as motioned to his wife. 

Wanting to try a mattress myself, I gravitate toward the plushest looking model in the store, the Rx. Designed for sleepers with chronic back and joint conditions, it felt like I was being cradled by a cloud of micro-coils and high-density foam. Old adages advise us not to take things lying down, but after just getting off of a plane and experiencing intense mattress envy, I spoke with Christina Henrique, Saatva’s vice president, while in a curiously vulnerable position. 

Asked why the brand had its sights on opening a Westport store, she replied, “The town itself is just beautiful. It’s really a sense of community. And, really that’s what it was about, being in the right community. For us, it’s always a matter of being the right brand fit. We’re attainable luxury. So, we want to be where we will be a brand of desire.”

Reluctantly, I peeled myself from bed a second time that morning, but not before retrieving a gift bag with a signature candles. If I can’t sleep on a Satvaa mattress tonight, I can at least enjoy the calming scent of the store (chamomile and bergamot) as I drift into dreamland.

The Saatva Westport showroom, 888 Post Road East, is open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays. Call 203-293-6910 or email info@saatvamattress.com.

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Gina Zammit is a freelance writer.