The Furniture Salesman that Saved Houston: Mattress Mack

If you live in Houston, you probably know Jim McIngvale as his alter-ego "Mattress Mack." For almost four decades, Mack has been selling furniture in the greater Houston area through his business Gallery Furniture. Known for his energetic local TV commercials where the natural born huckster unleashed his famous tagline that Gallery Furniture would "Save you money," Mack grew his business from being a series of tents along a highway into multiple, massive locations employing hundreds of people.

In addition to being known for his salesmanship, Mack is also known around town for his philanthropy. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Jim opened his Gallery Furniture locations to people seeking shelter. Every year he gives away furniture to families in need and provides hot meals during the holidays. Most recently, Mack converted parts of his main Gallery Furniture location into a trade and high school, helping students who dropped out of public school gain an education. Mack is fixture of Houston and a true local legend.

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[acac]

Notice how the video is 7 min 13 sec - 7:13 👀👀👀

[AmethystSnow]

Mattress Mack gave my aunt an entire new set of furniture after she lost everything in Harvey. This man is real and he's an amazing part of Houston.

[CortesKidd]

Matress Mac opened up his furniture business to the public when Hurricane Harvey hit us. The biggest church in Houston kept their doors closed (joel olsteen’s). I will never forget that

[menoftain]

When I was a young child my mother went into gallery furniture hoping to buy me a bed since I was sleeping on a bundle of blankets on the ground. My biological father dipped out before I was born leaving her to take care of us by herself. Mattress Mack ended up being in the store that day and he took the time to hear my mom's story. I remember him also picking me up and looking right at me asking how I was doing and if I was having fun at his store. I told him yes that his store was amazing and it seemed to warm his heart. He ended up giving my mom a whole bed set for me with dressers and everything for a huge discount! My mother was so grateful that day and would ALWAYS speak very very very highly of Mattress Mack!

[jecobian]

why doesn't America routinely celebrate people like this?

[jamesgarza]

My father once told me that back in the day when he was younger (19/20 y/o) he tried applying for a warehouse position at gallery furniture and Mattress Mack told him that he was over qualified for the position and he should seek work else where. Father ended up working at a steel company as a sales representative where his knowledge and skills were better used. Mattress Mack is for the youth

[Bestica]

Joel Olsteen could never touch the level of kindness, generosity, immense impact to Houston’s communities like MMack has accomplished. JO talks the talk but MM walks the talk. Truly a saint amongst men.

[KaidanKarasu]

And he’s opened his doors for those of us in Houston again during this freeze

[MandaMalice]

So cool seeing our local hero getting big recognition like this. This is Houston’s Batman. The main showplace is his Bat Cave. My Husband is a Houston Firefighter and years ago the tried to refurnish all the stations after they put a fire out at one of his warehouses. Every kid in the Houston grew up throwing Monopoly money in the air yelling “SAVE! YOU! MONEY!” ❤️

[kaffenaddict]

This man came to my neighborhood when I was 8 years old and gave truck loads of free mattresses. It was unannounced and no media this was all done out of the kindness of his heart. I promised myself I would buy some of his furniture when I made enough and I spread the word when I can.

[trvrsln]

The whole city’s gonna shut down when he dies to all go to his memorial and pay our respects.

[dikhurtz]

When I was down and out I didn’t know what else to do We lost everything. Not from hurricane but just bad things in life. I went in and talk to Mac and told him that my family and I hadn’t eaten in a couple of days and explained the situation to him. He immediately got us something to eat and offered us a place to stay. Helped me get a job He’s a great man.

[EdWun]

Mattress Mack has made a difference in Houston, more than Joel Osteen did during Hurricane Harvey

[thedeutschmark]

This is the real American dream. Hard working, humble, and pulls up everyone around him. Amazing and inspiring. The heaven he’s hoping for already exists in what he’s created.

[fredtaylor]

Grew up in Houston. Mack came to our school and talked about his drug addiction and how working hard, being honest and being loyal helped bring him out of it. He gave us all $20. He is a VERY good man!

[MrHSM]

I was randomly walking around while my parents made a payment when I was a kid. He gave me and my brothers a basketballs, gym bags and food from the restaurant. Dude is as genuine as the come. A Houston icon.

[fastlane]

Mac is a living legend, we need more ppl like him, he makes me proud to be a native Houstonian

[eaglebearer]

"He's part capitalist, part social worker"

Mack has a good mentality. He's an inspiration.

[jonthecarguy]

I really wished they showed more what he did for the people during Harvey. Not only was he opening his doors to the people to sleep and stay there he also had his big fleet of trucks that could make it through the storm water picking people up and rescuing them also. Dude is an actual living hero and the embodiment of the American Dream.

[bigpacotaco]

He opened his furniture store as a shelter during the current winter storm tx is having what a champion!