Hi losingsleep,
The first place I normally look are factory direct outlets that may be near you in Scranton. Unfortunately the closest ones are a fairly long way away. They are …
NOTE: There is a more complete and up to date list for the Scranton/Wilkes Barre/Blakeslee areas in post #4 here
http://www.shovlinmattress.com/ Fanwood, NJ. Factory direct manufacturer. Ron is the owner here and he is very helpful and knowledgeable. Makes a range of mattresses with various materials including latex and innersprings is well worth a visit or phone call. Also family owned and is a member of this site.
http://www.magicsleeper.net/ and http://www.mattressandfurniturestore.com/ Pottstown (or Pottsdown), PA. Local factory direct manufacturer that makes a range of good quality and value mattresses including two sided innerspring mattresses and a number of latex and latex hybrid options. Family owned and good people. They also make custom designs and sizes and and they are also a member of this site.
www.raitensleep.net/ Monticello, NY. Local factory direct manufacturer. They make traditional innerspring/polyfoam mattresses but they use much higher quality polyfoam than the major brands (2.6 - 2.8 lb foam with 1.5 lb quilting foam as necessary). Husband and wife team that has been making mattresses for a long time. They will also custom make mattresses to order including latex if requested. They carry Corsicana and Sealy as well but I would focus on the mattresses they make if you decide to go here.
http://sichelsleep.com/index.html Norristown, PA. They have been making mattresses for over 100 years and make a range of two sided mattresses including latex, innersprings, memory foam, and still make old style tufted innerspring and cotton mattresses. I spoke with Red the owner here for several hours and he is knowledgeable and experienced and is fully transparent about the mattresses they make. Would also be well worth a visit.
Because these are quite a distance away … I took a look at some of the local options in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area that may have better possibilities and the brands which they carry that I would include in my research. Your area is certainly dominated by chain stores and larger mass market brands which I would avoid because of their lower quality and value. The better outlets that I could see online or talked with include …
http://www.mattressguydeals.com/ Edwardsville. Gold Bond, Symbol, Ditex This was another outlet that impressed me and I ended up having a long conversation with him and discovered that his thoughts about the industry are much like mine. Run by a husband and wife team that are also committed to helping their customers find the best possible mattress for their needs and preferences. Good people.
Mattresses - EFO Furniture Outlet - Stroudsburg, Dunmore, Wilkes-Barre, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania Dunmore, Wilkes-Barre. Therapedic I didn’t talk with them but Therapedic can sometimes have better than average quality and value.
Furniture Connection - Blakely, PA 18447 Blakely, PA. Carries Comforpedic mattresses and told me he would provide foam density specs for his mattresses.
http://www.thebedroomwarehouse.com/mattress.htm Wilkes-Barre, PA. Pure Latex Bliss.
Of course it will still take some research into the materials in any mattresses you are interested in to make meaningful comparisons but these are the better choices that I could see. Other than these … your best value is likely to be with an online manufacturer but I would talk with the local outlets first to see what they have available that may “fit” your needs and preferences.
One comment as well is that a double sided pillowtop may not always be a great idea. Double sided mattresses usually do best with thinner comfort layers because a thick soft layer on the bottom of the mattress can compromise support.
Phoenix