McRoskey Mattress Company
A San Francisco mattress brand rooted in handmade manufacturing, customization, and family ownership.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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History
McRoskey Mattress Company began in San Francisco in October 1899, when brothers Edward and Leonard McRoskey chose to become mattress manufacturers rather than continue selling equipment for a Chicago engineering firm. They established their first operation at Harrison and 16th Street and built the company around handmade production. The business quickly became part of San Francisco’s local manufacturing history. After the 1906 earthquake and the fires that devastated much of the city, McRoskey was described as the only mattress manufacturer to survive. Demand for its products consequently increased as residents replaced household goods lost in the disaster. The episode helped associate the company with resilience and long-term local continuity. The brothers eventually pursued separate commercial paths. In the 1920s, Leonard operated McRoskey & Co., while Edward established the Edward L. McRoskey Mattress Company at 1506 Market Street. Edward constructed a new factory and showroom at 1687 Market Street in 1925. Its reinforced-concrete design was intended to provide greater protection against future earthquakes. Leonard died in 1929, after which his business closed and Edward’s company continued the McRoskey name. Edward’s work combined traditional mattress craftsmanship with mechanical innovation. On May 1, 1931, he filed for a patent for the McRoskey Tufting Machine. The device was designed to make mattress tufts stronger while reducing the needlework needed from mattress makers. Edward later refined tufting methods, developed a button-threading machine, and created a hand tool that eliminated the need for a long upholstery needle. These changes were intended to improve the springiness, resilience, and consistency of premium mattresses while retaining a handmade character. The next generation joined the firm after the company moved to the Market and Gough area. Edward’s sons Leonard and Robert became involved in the business, and Robert’s daughter Robin joined in 1981. This created a multigenerational succession structure in which family participation and direct retail contact remained important to the brand. McRoskey’s business model emphasized custom work. Customers could select or adjust elements such as mattress firmness, filling materials, and exterior fabrics. The company also sold related bedroom products, including bed frames and pillows. Its market position was at the premium end of bedding, with the value proposition based on hand production, customization, durability, and personal service rather than standardized high-volume manufacturing. A major structural change came in 2018, when the manufacturing and retail operations were separated. The manufacturing arm was sold to Pleasant Mattress Company, while the McRoskey retail business continued as a distinct operation. Robin McRoskey served as chief executive of the retail company and as brand ambassador until retiring in 2022. Ownership and operation then passed to Vanessa Contreras, who had worked for the company for many years. The physical history of the brand’s San Francisco premises entered another phase in the mid-2020s. Demolition permits were filed in July 2025 for the Market Street building, with plans for a 17-story affordable-housing development. The building was subsequently reported demolished on February 17, 2026. The supplied references do not provide enough information to determine whether McRoskey Mattress Company remained active, relocated, or ceased trading after the demolition, so its current status is unknown.
- 2026
Building reported demolished
[1]The company’s former building was reported demolished on February 17, 2026.
- 2025
Demolition permits filed for Market Street property
[1]Permits were reportedly filed for demolition of the historic building to make way for a planned 17-story affordable-housing project.
- 2022
Leadership and ownership transition
[1]Robin McRoskey retired, and ownership and operation passed to longtime employee Vanessa Contreras.
- 2018
Manufacturing and retail businesses separated
[1]McRoskey sold its manufacturing arm to Pleasant Mattress Company and retained a separate retail business.
- 1981
Robin McRoskey joins the family business
[1]Robin McRoskey entered the company and later became the leading executive of its retail operation.
- 1931
McRoskey Tufting Machine patent filed
[1]Edward McRoskey filed his first patent for a tufting machine intended to strengthen mattress tufts and reduce manual needlework.
- 1929
Leonard McRoskey dies
[1]Leonard McRoskey died, and the separate business he had continued to operate was closed.
- 1925
Edward builds a reinforced-concrete factory and showroom
[1]Edward McRoskey completed a new factory and showroom at 1687 Market Street, using reinforced concrete to improve earthquake resistance.
- 1906
Business survives the San Francisco earthquake and fire
[1]The company reportedly became the only mattress manufacturer in San Francisco to survive the earthquake and subsequent fire, leading to strong local demand.
- 1899
Company founded in San Francisco
[1]Edward and Leonard McRoskey established a handmade mattress business in October 1899 after arriving in San Francisco as equipment salesmen.
Products and positioning
High-end, handmade, customizable mattresses supported by personalized retail service.
Mattresses · 1899
Handmade mattresses
The company’s core product line consisted of mattresses made through hand-oriented manufacturing methods. McRoskey’s historical positioning emphasized craftsmanship, durability, tufting quality, and individualized service rather than standardized mass production. The available sources do not provide a complete catalog of models, materials, dimensions, or current availability.
Custom bedding
Custom mattresses
Custom mattress work allowed customers to specify or adjust characteristics such as firmness, filling materials, and upholstery fabrics. This offering supported McRoskey’s premium positioning and distinguished it from retailers focused primarily on fixed, factory-standardized models. Detailed specifications and current ordering arrangements are not established in the supplied references.
Bedroom furniture
Bed frames
Bed frames were sold as an associated bedroom product alongside mattresses. The supplied material does not identify specific frame designs, materials, manufacturers, or product generations.
Bedding accessories
Pillows
Pillows formed part of the company’s broader bedding assortment. No reliable product-level information about fills, construction, pricing, or current availability is provided in the reference material.
Brand decisions
2022
Transfer of ownership and operation to Vanessa ContrerasOtherBackground
Robin McRoskey retired after leading the retail company and serving as its brand ambassador.
Action taken
Ownership and operation were handed to Vanessa Contreras, a longtime employee.
Aftermath
The transition moved the business from direct family leadership to management by a longtime company insider. The brand’s subsequent operating status is not established in the supplied sources.
2018
Sale of manufacturing arm to Pleasant Mattress CompanyM&ABackground
McRoskey reorganized its business by separating manufacturing from retail operations.
Action taken
The manufacturing business was sold to Pleasant Mattress Company, while McRoskey continued as a retail operation.
Aftermath
The transaction ended McRoskey’s direct control of its manufacturing arm and left the brand focused on retail and customer-facing activities.
1931
Development of the McRoskey Tufting MachineOtherBackground
Edward McRoskey sought to improve the strength and consistency of mattress tufting while reducing the needlework required in production.
Action taken
He filed a patent for a tufting machine and later developed related button-threading equipment and a hand tufting tool.
Aftermath
The inventions became part of the company’s history of combining handmade mattress production with specialized manufacturing tools.
Sources1 sources
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