Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale (born February 11, 1951) is a businessman from Houston, Texas. He is known for owning and operating the Gallery Furniture retail chain.
Elizabeth McIngvale, Laura McIngvale, James McIngvale
Star Sign
Aquarius
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Fact
1
Release of his book, "Always Think Big" by Jim with Thomas Duening and John Ivancevich. [March 2002]
2
His daughter, Laura, appeared in a commercial for their family business, "Gallery Furniture". [2010]
3
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the opening of "Gallery Furniture" in Houston, Texas [2011].
4
His daughter, Laura Brown, gave birth to Jim's first grandchild, a girl named Sydney Ruth Brown.
5
His daughter, Laura McIngvale Brown, and her husband, chef Phillip Brown, are partners with Vince Young of Young's "Vince Young Steakhouse".
6
Originally from Dallas, he went to college at the University of Texas where he played football though he mostly rode the bench. He was a member of the 1969 Longhorn's national championship team.
7
After college, he was involved in various unsuccessful endeavors and ended up almost 30 years old, broke, without a car and working in a convenience store. After getting fired, he decided it was time for an attitude change and got a job working for a furniture store on the other side of Dallas from where he lived. He learned the furniture business and developed better work habits. He decided to go into the furniture business for himself. His brother, who was living in Houston, found the perfect location for him -- the abandoned model home park which became the first location of Gallery Furniture. He and his new wife, Linda McIngvale moved to Houston.
8
The cause of the fire at the Gallery Furniture warehouse was declared arson by ATF on May 28, 2009.
9
He has a five-car garage for his Ferrari collection. He is one of the largest owners of thoroughbred racehorses in Kentucky. His goal is to win the Kentucky Derby. He got into horseracing because his daughter and sister-in-law both liked horses.
10
The warehouse at the original location of Gallery Furniture in North Houston burned down on May 21, 2009, but the showroom was spared.
11
Was a supporter of Mitt Romney's 2008 presidential campaign.
12
Father of three children. His youngest daughter, Elizabeth McIngvale, is the founder of "Peace of Mind", a non-profit organization devoted to the research and cure of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, having struggled with OCD, herself, for several years. His son is named James McIngvale, Jr. and his older daughter is named Laura McIngvale Brown.
13
Opened his second Gallery Furniture store in the Galleria area of Houston, Texas in March, 2009.
$75 Million
