Hi Kirsten,
Probably the first thing I would suggest is to read the mattress shopping tutorial here which will help cut through much of the “mattress shopping” confusion and frustration.
There are some comments about Habitat here and here. In essence they are a higher quality mattress that would represent better value than many chain store type of outlets but not in the same value range as some of the other factory direct manufacturers that are available to you.
Some of the local factory direct outlets or possible retailer options I’m aware of that are near Dayton, OH or within reasonable driving distance (and subject to the quality/value guidelines here) include …
http://www.sleeptitemattressfactory.com/ Franklin, OH Local factory direct manufacturer as you mentioned. Makes a range of mattresses and while they have “standard” models on the floor … they can build whatever you want. They have good value and would be well worth a call or visit.
Find an Original Mattress Factory Store Beavercreek, Miamisburg, Springfield, OH. Regional factory direct manufacturer. Makes a range of mattresses with good value including a two sided latex mattress and two memory foam mattresses along with some two sided innerspring mattresses and have some good quality/value available.
Furniture Row® Store Locations - Store Hours & Addresses Florence, KY. Regional factory direct manufacturer. Also builds a range of mattresses with some good value. I would focus here on the mattresses they manufacture and would avoid the major brands that they also carry.
http://designsleep.com/ Yellow Springs, OH. Retail direct outlet that carries some very interesting and high quality mattress from Berkeley Ergonomics including Dunlop latex and microcoils which I think highly of. They are knowledgeable and transparent about their mattresses and good people to deal with and would be well worth including in your research
Mattress Innovations - Dayton, Ohio - Highest Rated Mattresses & Beds Dayton, OH. Retail outlet that has a house brand made by Englander. I would avoid the major brands they carry and make sure that the latex models you are looking at don’t have more than an inch or so of polyfoam on top as many Englander models do (meaning you are sleeping on polyfoam not latex)
http://marksmattress.com/ Richmond, IN. Carries their own line of private label memory foam and latex mattresses called Sleep Natural that may include some better quality/value options. I would avoid the major brand and liquidation mattresses that they also carry.
Shop Affordable Home Furnishings & Home Goods - IKEA West Chester, OH Sells both a Dunlop latex core using 85% natural Dunlop and an innerspring with the same material on top. See post #3 here. The Dunlop core would be a good option to add a talalay latex topper on top.
In terms of “the best mattress out there” I believe there is no such thing. Each different weight, body shape, and sleeping position needs a different mattress and the most important thing about a mattress is the materials in it and how it works for your unique circumstances. I do however tend to focus on local manufacturers and sleep shops who are open and transparent about the materials in their mattress and who can “fit” your circumstances and “specs” to a mattress that has great value using materials that have actual real quality and fit within your budget.
Hope this helps along with some of the links from the beginning of this post as there is some good value that is reasonably close to you.
Phoenix