Douglas MacQuarrie, Founder -- 

"Bob Vadset and I grew up on the same Seattle street and attended the same grade school, junior high school, and high school together. In 1972, we formed Design 2002, an industrial design firm. We designed everything from toys for young people to office and industrial parks and more than 20 restaurants.

"We founded Soaring Heart Futon And Natural Bed Company in the spring of 1981 and officially turned to it full time in 1982. The picture to the right is our first incarnation as a retail establishment. Humble beginnings, to be sure.

"We moved to our current location in 1986, and we've been thriving here ever since. After Bob left in 1995 to spend more time on his art, we expanded our operation from just building futons to also crafting cotton mattress pads, wool toppers, and latex foam mattresses, all from natural, healthy materials. And that must have been the right thing to do, because we've never been more popular than in these last ten years.

"Now, after 25 years of physically running Soaring Heart, I've decided to step back and let the new generation of master futon builders carry the business into the next decade and beyond. Of course, I could never completely walk away - I still meet regularly with the Mike Schaefer, the new owner and an old friend of mine, and I drop by the store every week or so to enjoy the wonderful new energy the current team has brought to the space. As adopting and really living what Soaring Heart has always meant, these young people have seamlessly incorporated all of our original passion and intent with their own, and under their loving stewardship, Soaring Heart will only continue to grow and flourish.

"Above all, we're committed to continuing to build and provide the very finest in natural sleep products, and to maintaining our involvement in Seattle's health conscious community. We've discovered that when we take care of our community, it takes good care of us."