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February 2006
By Morgan Murphy, Southern Living
Sleep like royalty on the world’s most luxurious feather beds-available at factory prices in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. You don’t have to stay at a 400-a-night hotel to sink into luxurious linens, down pillows, and plush feather mattresses. Many of the world’s top hotels have a secret source for their fantastic bedding, dreamy soft pillow, and fluffy comforters. The manufacturer isn’t off in Switzerland or the Far East-the source for many hotels’ best beds is in Muscle shoals, Alabama.
Jim Crossno of The Pillow Factory has been making pillows for 25 years and knows a lot about feathers and down. “Most Americans’ first experiences with featherbeds or comforters were with discount bedding chains. Those cheap versions stank, and feathers probably flew all over the room or stabbed you in the middle of the night.” He says. So Jim began making the highest quality bedding possible, using hypoallergenic down and feathers, double stitching, and 230-thread-count fabrics.
America’s top-end luxury hotels and resorts began to take note. Sleep in a presidential suite at a fine hotel, and , most likely, your head will be on one of Jim’s perfect pillows.
In 2001 the factory began selling directly to the public, and now, retail customers get to be picky at the Pillow Factory Outlet in Muscle Shoals (or at the new outlet store on Hwy. 72 in Tuscumbia).
According to Jim, “sleep and rest aren’t the American way.” But that may be changing in the United States. Information from the International Sleep Products Association tells us that high-end bedding pushed sales to $5.7 billion in 2004. After buying a few of Jim’s products ourselves and sleeping like babies, we agree with his motto: “You put your face in it every night; make it nice!”
Note: The Pillow Factory, located at 298 River Road, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661, (256) 383-8507, offers factory tours to groups and individuals by appointment. When visiting the factory outlet, view production through the show window. At the new outlet-only location, 425 Hwy. 72 W., Tuscumbia, (256) 383-6363, discounted bedding is available for purchase in an elegant showroom setting, where custom fill down is an option.
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