Hi BigCTM,
Normally a latex mattress will last longer than 7 years (depending on what is over or under the latex which may be the “weak link” of the mattress). I’m curious whether your needs have changed, the mattress has changed, or whether it’s a combination of both. Sometimes … depending on the reason why you are buying a new mattress … a topper rather than a new mattress may be a good solution.
There are unfortunately no local factory direct manufacturers near you that I know of (less than 100 miles) and there are also not a lot of sleep shops that carry alternative brands (which often have better value than the larger brands).
ADDED: The second part of post #2 here includes a local manufacturer in memphis and several local possibilities.
Campbelll Mattress Co is a smaller manufacturer in Cape Girardeau, MO. Their Isotonic uses foams that are made by Carpenter which is a large american foam manufacturer that makes CertiPur cerified foams. The memory foam in this mattress however is a combination of 2.5 lb (very low density/quality) and 4 lb memory foams (middle density/quality). their base foam is Omalon which is a good quality foam but I would want to confirm the density and it should be at least 1.8 lbs. This would or should be a lower budget mattress.
The Ultimate Dreams at Amazon is very qood quality and value mattress. I know the manufacturer and owner and think highly of them. Post #8 here has a few more thoughts on this mattress and a forum search on Ultimate Dreams will bring up other references as well.
In cases where there are not a lot of local options where you are able to find the materials, quality and value that you are looking for, then a purchase from a better online outlet or mattress manufacturer can make a lot of sense. Once you’ve done some local testing to get a sense of what works best for you … then post #21 here includes the manufacturing members of the site which specialize in shipping mattresses across the country. They will work with you to help you customize your choices in different ways and some allow for layer exchanges to further customize your choices after the sale if necessary at a nominal cost.
Some of the better online memory foam choices are in post #12 here.
Based on my research in Memphis and Nashville, it seems that Tennessee in general is a very difficult place to find good quality and value mattresses.
If you have any questions along the way … or if you make any discoveries that may benefit others in the area … feel free to post.
Phoenix