After more than 40 years of carrying the moniker of Mattress King, business owner Anil “Neil” Gulati, 72, said he’s ready to retire this year.
Gulati says the Mattress King store on 9012 Hermitage Road will start its final warehouse sale Saturday before closing its doors for good in four to six weeks.
“It’s been a good journey,” Neil said. “But sometimes life is like that Kenny Rogers song you know — you got to know when to hold them and when to fold them.”
Gulati’s long journey started in 1969 at the age of 19 when he immigrated to the U.S. from India. In 1981, he bought a sofa and bedroom store in Willow Lawn, where he was the single salesman on the floor.
In 1986, he began focusing on beds and changed the name of the store to the Mattress King. Gulati expanded the chain, and it operated 26 stores by 2005 and eventually grew his family-run business to 48 stores with more than 150 employees.
Gulati became a celebrated business owner in the community, earning accolades such as the 2003 Retailer of the Year award from the Retail Merchants Association of Greater Richmond. But, as Gulati said, every journey has its trials.
People are also reading…
Gulati said one his warehouses caught fire in 2009 and sometime afterward, the Mattress King filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The chain eventually shut down.
Gulati said he thought about retiring for good afterward, but three years later, Gulati opened the Mattress Club from an 11,000-square-foot warehouse on Hermitage Road off Staples Mill Road.
“That was a tough battle emotionally, financially, the whole business changed,” Gulati said. “I thought about retiring, but after six months I started to get bored and decided I’d try again.”
Although he had to abandon the moniker of Mattress King because of bankruptcy protections, Gulati adopted a new name for his business, and the Mattress Club reopened in 2012. Eventually, Gulati reclaimed the intellectual property of Mattress King, including its name.
After years of working in retail, Gulati said his business has evolved beyond what he had imagined when he was selling products to passersby at Willow Lawn. As the coronavirus pandemic began, his business saw an even more dramatic shift.
“The retail business is not what is used to be,” Gulati said. “The last three years, the whole business environment has completely changed. It’s become very difficult to compete with the big boys like Amazon.”
After turning 72, Gulati said he’s ready to retire and enjoy life with his children and grandchildren, although he won’t be away for long. After his store shuts down, Gulati said he hopes to open a foundation to help young entrepreneurs fuel their dreams as well.
“I’m not sure how big of a difference I’m gong to make, but I’m going to try,” Gulati said.
As the Mattress King’s final warehouse sale starts this Saturday, Gulati said he’s not sure when he’ll close the doors for good. However, he hopes he’s able to make at least one more customer smile before his reign comes to an end.
From the Archive: Remember these Richmond-area restaurants?
Organist Eddie Weaver at the Miller & Rhoads Tea Room
Lunches in the Miller & Rhoads Tea Room with Eddie Weaver at the organ have been so popular that he cut his own record.
The recently closed Venice Restaurant at the Corner of W. Cary and Thompson streets in Richmond. The Venice had operated since 1958; the owners recently decided to retire.
The new Julian’s – Julian’s, an Italian restaurant that has been operating for 40 years, has moved to larger quarters on West Broad Street. The restaurant left 2529 W. Broad St. and is leasing space in the former Automobile Club of Virginia headquarters, a block to the west. The restaurant has about 50 percent more space, with seating for about 200 people on the main floor. In addition, a wine cellar has been installed in the basement, private dining areas have been set up, and office space is available on the upper floor. The vacated property may become part of a redevelopment project involving the William Byrd Motor Hotel.
Miller & Rhoads Corner Shop, T-D Mag. Camera Quiz.
Byram’s Restaurant, 3215 West Broad Street.
March 16, 1967 ( Staff photo – Netherwood ) Collector’s Corner is between the Tea Room and Ladies Room on Miller & Rhoads 5th Floor
Charles Wood on ladder. Jimmy Aldred climbing down. Talley Neon takes down Julian’s Restaurant sign
Little remains besides the brick walls at the Capri Restaurant (right) and a chiropractor’s office. July 4, 1983.
A Julian’s Restaurant menu from the early 1950’s.
In January 1975, shoppers passed by “the clock” at Miller & Rhoads in downtown Richmond. The distinct timepiece with four faces was installed in the department store in the mid-1920s; it can be seen today at the Valentine Richmond History Center.
The new Kelly’s Jet System restaurant which is due to open in mid-August on the northwest corner of Fifth and Broad sts. is shown above.
Where’s the engine? The caboose traveling on the bed of a truck along West Broad Street yesterday wasn’t part of a new rail line in Richmond, but part of a remodeling project at the old Clover Room restaurant. Owner John Dankos plans to open the new restaurant, Stanley Stegmeyer’s Hodgepodge, on July 1. Part of the decor will include two cabooses, each of which will seat 16 persons. May 3, 1978
This January 1952 image shows the intersection of West Broad and Lombardy streets, home to a White Tower restaurant and a Firestone automotive service center. White Tower restaurants were a rival of White Castle eateries. The Firestone site is now home to a Dollar Tree store. Lombardy & Broad St.
This January 1952 image shows the intersection of West Broad and Lombardy streets, home to a White Tower restaurant and a Firestone automotive service center. White Tower restaurants were a rival of White Castle eateries. The Firestone site is now home to a Dollar Tree store. Lombardy & Broad St.
A view of the water at Chesdin Restaurant, 629 River Road, Matoaca.
A dish from the the Chesdin Restaurant, 629 River Road, Matoaca.
In the small kitchen of Jumpin J’s Java, owner Je Depew (right) creates unique entrees with chef Gene Smith (center) and Chris Pierson. Sept. 25, 2004
At Jumpin J’s Java, owner Je Depew (left) shares a laugh with customers Denise Lawus and Melvin Carter. Sept. 25, 2004
Je Depew, outside her cafe’ and restaurant, Jumpin J’s Java, at 2306 Jefferson Avenue (corner of Jefferson and Leigh streets) in Church Hill.
Exterior of Six Burner Restaurant on Grace Street in 2010.
Roasted Red Pepper appetizer at Six Burner Restaurant. Roasted Red Peppers, local goat cheese, roasted garlic and shallots seved with grilled bread.
One of the many seating areas at the Mexico Restaurant in Mechanicsville on May 17, 2004.
The Upper East Side Restaurant Jazz Lounge and Sports Bar allocated at 7103 Brook Road March 30, 2004.
The Upper East Side Restaurant Jazz Lounge and Sports Bar allocated at 7103 Brook Road on March 30, 2004. Grilled mushroom melt burger, (left) Upper East Side hot wings, and grilled chicken wrap.
Kobe Japanese Steaks & Sushi. March 24, 2004
Ancho chile strip (front plate), Coconut jumbo shrimp (back plate), creme brule cheesecake (right plate) and Firebirds 2000 Napa Valley Red are some of the items on the Firebirds Rocky Mountain Grill. Photo taken Monday, March 1, 2004,
Bookbinder’s Grill in Alverser Plaza in Midlothian in 2004.
Bella Arte on Bellevue Ave. in 2004.
Sushi from the Young Bin Restaurant in Chippenham Square Shopping Center February 24, 2004.
Shrimp and Scallop Scampi with linguine at Portabella’s Restaurant & Pizzaria
Paxton Campbell, owner of The Oak Leaf sandwich shop on West Franklin, holds a picture of his grandmother Pearl Campbell, who had a restaurant called The Oak Leaf at 307 North Boulevard in the 1920’s.
The “Plato Gordo” at Rio Grande Cafe at Stony Point Fashion Park.
George Porcella, general manager of Pasta Luna restaurant in Richmond, VA, holds a menu as he talks about how the mad-cow scare has affected their business Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003.
El Azteca Mexican Restaurant in Ashland . December 22 , 2003
Valentino’s Italian Pizza and Restaurant, December 2, 2003.
Interior of Valentino’s Italian Pizza and Restaurant. Photo taken Dec. 2, 2003
Coctel De Camaron, (Shrimp Cocktail) at Los Rios Mexican Restaurant on Tuckernuck Road, November 12, 2003.
Satoru Sato, head chef at Hana Zushi Japanese Restaurant, prepares a variety of sushi delicacies February 18, 2004
Anthony Clark, a host at Croaker’s Spot in Jackson Ward, waits to greet guests as they enter the restaurant on December 19, 2003.
The Edible Garden, 12506 River Road, Goochland County. Phot o taken June 17, 2005
Harold Thomas III, 14, works at Harold’s Kitchen every day after school. The restaurant has been in the family since 1971, when the first Harrold, Harrold III’s grandfather, opened it.
La Casita’s home made sauces – Red, (Medium) White, (Hot) and Green, (Very hot) compliment the restaurant’s Shrimp Quesadilla, served with guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo.9/6/05-
Diners munch under the festive lights strung over the dining room at La Casita Restaurant in Richmond Tuesday.9/6/05
Joe and Camilia Trak (center) with their children John and Mona, with some of the items on their extensive Greek-Italian menu, including Greek and Italian wines. Trak’s Greek and Italian Ristorante
Visitors to Trick Dog Cafe in Irvington, Virginia, can rub this trick dog statue for good luck. Photo taken Wednesday, July 19, 2005.
Smoked Salmon in a crepe with flower petals with chives, cr me frais, microgreens accompanied by caper berries, chopped white onions, parsley and quail eggs. 1 North Belmont Restaurant on North Belmont Road in the fan. May 13, 2005.
Chef Matthew Tlusty with two Rock fish at Limani Fish Grill on W. Cary St. July 14, 2005
Isabel and Mehmet Akpinar, owners of Zorba’s Restaurant June 1, 2005.
Homard en Poche, Rock Lobster Tail & Oyster Mushroom Duxelle baked in a Beggar’s Pouch. 1 North Belmont Restaurant on North Belmont Road in the fan. May 13, 2005.
Smoked Salmon in a crepe with flower petals with chives, cr me frais, microgreens accompanied by caper berries, chopped white onions, parsley and quail eggs. 1 North Belmont Restaurant on North Belmont Road in the fan. 5/13/05
Thyme crusted rack of veal served with asparagus flan and prosciutto wrapped asparagus is one of the entrees served at Bistro R, on W. Broad St.
Bryn Purser (foreground) and Adam Schumm (background) working in their restaurant, Zuppa, at 104 N. 18th St. in Shockoe Bottom in 2005
Bottoms Up staff prepares for dinner customers beneath a reminder of Tropical Storm Gaston’s flood damage on August 11 , 2005
Brasilian Cafe owner Rogel Venson and employee Isabel Gonzalez inside the restaurant on April 14, 2005.
Contractor W. Samuel West, West Builders LLC, (right) was instrumental in rebuilding many flood-damaged restaurants in Shockoe Bottom including the River City Diner in which this photo was taken.
Mr. Bojangles restaurant is located at 550 E. Marshall Street.
A wooden casket containing a dummy corpse is brought into O’Toole’s Restaurant as part of a “wake” that harks back to a centuries-old papal dispensation that allowed Irishmen normally abstaining from drink during Lent to drink in the event of a wake for the dead. The ritual with the dummy corpse is a tradition of many years at the restaurant/bar on Forest Hill Ave.
Wingstop Restaurant featured a variety of wings for every palate. From left: Lemon Pepper, original hot wings, and a mild variety. They are served here with fresh-cut seasoned fries.
Darryl and Pramvdee U. McGuire owners of Thai Country Resturant on Staples Mill Rd. .
A list of restaurants supposedly available at the Sixth Street Marketplace, but alas, several are closed down and one whole block of restaurants listed has been demolished.
Rod Bennett (right) a partner in the Martini Kitchen & Bubble Bar venture, said that the 1911 West Main Street restaurant will boast 85 martinis on the menu. It will also offer certified black angus beef, duck, and lobster.
Lois McCarn of Richmond (center) eats lunch with her daughter Carolyn Barker of Richmond in Brio Tuscan Grille at Stony Point Fashion Park
Little Europa Strogonoff (stroganoff) at Little Europa Restaurant and Gourmet Deli in the Gayton Crossing Shopping Center on 11/5/03. Flambe version.
From left, Thomas Haskins, Andrew Williams, and Fred Middleton preparing food in the kitchen of the Positive Vibe Cafe in the Stratford Hills Shopping Center.
Chef Peter Caserta is opening a second Pasta Luna restaurant in addition to the West End location. The new location is in the Commonwealth Center at 288 and Hull Streets.
Chicken Biryahi, adorned with egg, is available at Curry House restaurant on West Broad Street. Photo taken October 7, 2003.
Gade Reddy, of Wilmington, Delaware, eats a meal at Curry House restaurant on West Broad Street Tuesday, October 6, 2003.
The bar at the Grafiti Grille in the Tuckahoe Shopping Center. Feb. 27, 2005
Marie Antoinette Elbling grew up on a farm near the village of Thanville in Alsace, France. Her family ate seasonal food only at three meals. After moving to Richmond 34 years ago where she and husband, Chef Paul, opened La Petite France, she eats the same way. She doesn’t exercise because she is in constant motion. Life is her exercise. If a light bulb needs changed in the restaurant, she’ll grab a ladder and do it.
Luna Grove Restaurant
Chef F. J. Sabatini, with his Seafood Bouchee, in the restaurant in the Henry Clay Inn in Ashland on March 28, 2005
The Brasilian Cafe is located in the basement of Stuart Circle Apartments on Monument Avenue. Photo taken Sunday, January 20, 2005.
Among other dishes, guests at Can Can, a brasserie on Cary St., can savor the roasted salmon served with lentils, wild mushrooms and red wine shallots. April 20, 2005.
The bar area of Shula’s 2 restaurant at the Sheraton Richmond West November 6, 2004.
Guests dining at Cielito Lindo who might be in the mood for something sweet can try the flan de calabaza, the pumpkin flan. March 15, 2005.
Christopher Bak, chef at Fusion, watches over chocolate truffle cake. Photo taken Monday, March 7, 2005.
The Lucky lounge, located on E. Cary St., opened December 28, 2004. This restaurant/bar also offered live music, including Jazz on Thursday nights.
Lunch crowd at Perly’s on Grace St. March 11, 2005
A fire broke out at Firebirds in the Short Pump Town center on December 20, 2005.
India Garden & Grill WAS a family-owned Indian restaurant off of Midlothian Turnpike. Pictured here in 2005 were masala dosa (front), an Indian-style thin pancake served with onion and potato stuffing, curry and coconut chutney sauce, and vegetable jalfrezi (behind), a mix of cauliflowers, carrots, beans and green peppers sauteed in ginger, garlic, dry fruits and authentic Indian spices.
Looking out of the front window into the “sidewalk cafe” portion of Escabar at 5806 Grove Ave. December 21, 2005
Kevin Brown (left) and Nancy Cohen in the kitchen at Cafe Mandolin Feburary 18 , 2005
Using savory custard with dijon mustard in filo shells as the base , David Shannon of Dogwood restaurant created seven holiday party foods using leftovers . December 20 , 2005
Cluck Bucket (left), Gravy Fries and Perogies from The Pour House om 2005. Photo taken Dec. 3
Martini Kitchen and Bubble Bar. Rack of Lamb, field greens and shrimp cocktail. November 28 , 2005
Beverly Mazursky, owner of Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream shop in Carytown in the Carytown store on Thursday, February 10, 2005.
The driver of this pickup truck was taken into custody on Dec. 9, 2005 after Hanover authorities and patrons at Mulligan’s Sports Bar said he drove into the restaurant after being kicked out.
“To the dining community: Don’t forget to bring joy wherever you can; it will go a long way.”
Stella Dikos, namesake of Stella’s and Stella’s Grocery
French artist Gilles Cheramy, right, poses beside the butterfly-shaped bar he has created for The Can Can restaurant at 3120 W. Cary St. in Richmond, VA, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004, as his assistant, Bruno Perrigouas, left, polishes the edge.
A table set in front of the fireplace at Azzurro Restaurant in 2004.
Vitello’s is located at 101 N. Fifth Street Sept. 22, 2004.
Peter J. D’Amelio, president and chief operating officer ot the restaurant division at The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated, photographed at their Short Pump restaurant Monday, September 27, 2004.
Cheesecakes and desserts are ready to be served up on Monday, September 27, 2004, at The Cheesecake Factory restaurant in Short Pump.
The Tavern salad in The Veranda at Michelle’s Tavern in Hanover Courthouse . September 21 , 2005
Barbara Roll is one of the items on Ichiban’s menu. Photo taken Friday, October 21, 2005.
Avenue 805 features Sunday brunch. This is French Toast with fresh local figs, toasted almonds and maple syrup. The Rail Bloody Mary is a signature brunch beverage. Photo taken Sept. 18, 2005.
This sushi and sashimi combo plate is one of the items on Ichiban’s menu. Photo taken Friday, October 21, 2005.
Interior of Avenue 805 restaurant on September 18, 2005
Vinny Sanzone of Carini’s Restaurant with a large pizza, in the newer section of the Italian restaurant in 2005. Photo taken Oct. 12.
Sosie Hublitz outside her Gaston-damaged Shockoe Bottom restaurant “The Kitchen Table” on October 6, 2004.
Sosie Hublitz’s Gaston-damaged Shockoe Bottom restaurant “The Kitchen Table.” Photo taken October 6, 2004.
Jen Clayton, a manager at Gutenberg Cafe’, explains the flow of the high water which severely damaged the restaurant in September of 2004, when remnants of Hurricane Gaston flooded Shockoe Bottom. Photo taken Sept. 29.
5/10/04 – Diners prepare to order while enjoying their cocktails at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar at Stony Point Fashion Park in Richmond Monday.
Carolyn and Bob DeCapri in their restaurant, Cafe’ di Pagliacci, in the Fan District.
Lynn Cochran and Jim News, the owners of Mr. Patrick Henry’s Inn on Church Hill, are selling the place. The stand in the restaurant’s lunch room. The restaurant also had formal dining rooms. Photo taken November 15, 1999.
Dennis Hickman at the new Julian’s at 1129 Three Chopt Rd. He is holding a framed 1947 menu from the restaurant’s earliest days in downtown Richmond.
H.L. Reed Design Inc. decorated the Main Street Beer Co. with a poured concrete bar. Photo taken Tuesday, August 3, 1999.
Edward Martin calls himself ‘The Drink Man’ at his job with Cafe Mosaic. He moves quickly through his work filling water pitchers, and other drink related tasks.
The Jade Elephant RESTAURANT
Folks come to the Texas-Wisconsin Border Cafe, shown Aug. 24, 1995, in Richmond, Va., for its mix of Tex-Mex and hearty Wisconsin fare. Or maybe it’s because of all the memorabilia from its namesake states, including stuffed animals, football helmets and license plates.
John Felico, owner of Dominic’s of New York, will soon sell his sausage products at selected Ukrops. He is shown in his Willow Lawn Food Court location.
Watchful Waiter Awards Acacia Restaurant on Cary St. View from the porch on December 21, 1998
(804) 649-6340
