Hi kbmw94,
Here are the factory direct manufacturers within 105 miles of you (there were 2 within 104 miles so I thought I’d go to 105 miles :))
http://lakemattressandfurniture.com/ Factory direct manufacturer in Conover. I have talked with Todd (one of the owners) on several occasions and they are transparent, knowledgeable and helpful. They make a range of memory foam, latex, and innersprings and have some very good quality and value options. They can also layer the materials they use in any of their mattresses at their factory so you can get a good sense of how they feel as well.
http://www.parkplacecorp.com/showroom Larger Regional manufacturer who normally sells only wholesale but has a showroom in Greenville, SC which sells factory direct. You will need to make an appointment first with Jay Orders as it is not a “public” showroom.
Denver Mattress® - The Easiest Way to Get the Right Mattress Johnson City, TN and Charlotte, NC. Regional factory direct manufacturer that has a range of mattresses which they manufacture themselves … along with some major brands which I would ignore.
http://www.originalmattress.com/ Gastonia, Hickory, NC. Regional factory direct manufacturer which carries a range of good quality/value mattresses including innersprings, latex, and memory foam.
http://www.coltonmattress.com/ Asheville, NC. Local factory direct manufacturer. Makes a range of mattresses including latex, memory foam, and innersprings. They are well worth talking to and visiting if you are within driving distance and are what I call "mattress people.
http://dilworthmattressfactory.com/ Charlotte, NC. Local factory direct manufacturer that also makes a range of mattresses including latex, and innersprings.
http://sleepworldnc.com/ Retailer in Asheville and Arden. They carry Pure Talalay Bliss, Anatomic Global, and Organicpedic mattresses and in conversations with Jeff at the Asheville location it’s clear they have good knowledge and either he or Amanda at the Arden location would be happy to track down any specs that you need that are available to them.
http://nestorganics.com/ Asheville. Carry Savvy Rest and Naturepedic mattresses that both use high quality materials but make some careful value comparisons here because they may not always be in the best value range compared to some other similar mattresses.
There is some feedback from one of the forum members about a few merchants centered on Asheville, NC here
Overall … as you probably know if you’ve had the chance to read some of the recent threads or some of the more detailed information under the mattresses section of the site … I believe that latex is a better, or at least less risky, alternative than memory foam for those that have back issues. If memory foam is a strong preference … then I would use the thinnest layer possible to provide good pressure relief with a high quality support core under it.
I would start with the local or factory direct manufacturers on this list and call first to make sure they have mattresses in your price range and that would be appropriate for your circumstances before taking a long drive.
I used Hendersonville as my starting point for mileage but if you go to the Greensboro area where I understand Industries for the blind is located … then there are others that are reasonably close to that which I didn’t include on my list.
Phoenix