People started shopping more at big box stores over the years, though Mewhiney has always prided himself on producing quality mattresses, with brochures and information explaining why people need quality bedding for a quality sleep.

Some people wonder why they can’t get one for $150, and he said the answer should be obvious.

Bed frames are now mainly made offshore, but the Fouton Shop has always produced mattresses under warranty, with dense memory foam and springs.

“Our couches were anywhere from $600 to $1,500. They’re a good product, but again, fewer and fewer people want to spend that money because the Walmart mentality. Everyone wants to spend $150, and we just can’t do that.”

Doing quick math for a ballpark figure, Mewhiney figures he’s made close to 30,000 mattresses in addition to covers and bean bag chairs. The Futon Shop also made wooden frames for a time.

It helping put Mewhiney's three kids through post-secondary school in the local region. Though what he plans to do at age 54 is up in the air.

He knows his wife doesn’t want him around in slippers.

“It’s a tough age. You’re not quite ready to go fishing for a living,” he said. “Tell the readers if they want anyone who’s got the gift of the gab, I can be a little loquacious at times.”

With the holidays approaching, Mewhiney’s looking forward to some time off, but it’s going to be different this year.

He’s a little sad, but the absence hasn’t hit him quite yet.

As a business owner, you’re always busy. And he still is, at least for the next week or so.

“I never used to even take holidays,” he said. “I’d take weekends and stuff like that, but I wouldn’t go away for weeks, because you couldn’t."

For now, The Futon Shop is still located at 49 King St. N.