Posted on 27th Sep 2010 @ 9:35 PM

Hi everyone, I'm Evelyn! I'm currently a graduate student at CMU's Arts Management program and I'm an Operations Intern here at Mattress Factory.

I've been here for almost a year and oftentimes am still amazed by this energetic working environment and the incredible people surrounding me.

I'm especially fond of our museum Shop because it's full of great art books and catalogs, variety of bags & accessories, limited artist-designed items, and a ton of other cool stuff. It is the place I look for a gift for even my pickiest friend.

I'm so thrilled about our new and improved online shop! We will be uploading new products every week, so check back often! Although new products are exciting, what attracts me the most are always stories and people behind the scenes. To share with you these intriguing stories, I will start a topic every week, and hopefully you would like to share your story, too.

The theme of this week is: The staff of the MF Shop

Let's first start with our adorable shop assistant, SAM.

“Hi! My name is Sam and I am the Shop Assistant here at the Mattress Factory. I studied studio art and art history at Slippery Rock University, and I am very happy to be a part of the MF team!

In my spare time, I enjoy frequenting thrift stores and the like, looking for records, paperbacks, mid-century modern house wares, and tchotchkes which need adopting. I like to read both fiction and non-fiction, have an obsession with Indian food, and listen to a lot of folk music. I make artwork with needle and thread and found imagery, and have recently developed an obsession with Kitsch. Which can only be explained by my affinity for Lesley Gore, chartreuse, and owls.”

Having worked retail myself, I am still stumped as to how approach a customer in the right way. Of course, I've said hello and was friendly to everyone, but when some customers made it very clear to give them space with a "Please don't talk to me" body language, I would just back down and give them space. 

So my question of this week would be:

How would you like to be greeted when walking into MF's Shop or any other store?  Intensive attention? No attention? Or only a smile? Assistance only when you ask for it?

Please share your comments through our Facebook page. We would love to hear from you.

http://www.facebook.com/MattressFactory