There are so many reasons to love May, from Mother’s Day to warming weather to the start of summer vacation. Here at Abt, we’re excited to showcase May’s Employee Spotlight, Patty Bannos. And we couldn’t have picked a better person to represent the Mother’s Day spirit. Patty can be found in our mattress department, and Patty’s son Andrew has been working here at Abt for a couple of years, as well. That makes them just one of the families that helps to keep the business working at its best.
Patty’s relationship with Abt reaches back decades to the store’s Dempster St. location. As a customer (and a newlywed at the time), she purchased a complete set of new appliances from a certain salesperson, Bev Abt. She left a lasting impression on Patty. Bev is the sister of the late owner Bob Abt, who passed away in 2015. While Patty didn’t know it in 1980, the Abt family would become a large part of her life.
Mattresses At Abt
We first started selling mattresses in July of 2012, and that’s when Patty Bannos applied to work in the new department. When asked what she loves most about her job, she replied, “Working in the mattress department has allowed me to establish long-standing relationships with customers and one of the most fulfilling aspects is assisting them with finding the perfect mattress.” Everyone spends a great deal of time sleeping, and that means finding the right mattress is important. Not just for comfort, but for your health, whether you sleep on your side, your stomach or your back. (Psst, if you find that you don’t like your existing mattress, Patty and our other sleep experts can help match you with a new one).
In the 10-plus years that she’s worked here, Patty notes that her favorite memory is of “when Mr. Abt would come up and visit us in the mattress department. He always had the most interesting stories to tell.” Stories told in the mattress department automatically become bedtime stories, right? Not really. But Bob Abt’s magnetic presence is always noted as one of the most beloved aspects of those who worked here at Abt with him, whether employees manage duties in the warehouse or sell products out on the floor.
When Patty isn’t in the mattress department, she loves to pursue hobbies and try new restaurants with friends and family. She loves swimming and visiting warm-weather locations. Just another reason why May is the perfect month to shine the Employee Spotlight on her. She loves sweets, too! “Cookies, cakes, ice cream, you name it, I love it.” It’s a good thing we have a Candy Store in the Atrium then, too. The next time you head into the store and see Patty, say hello! She might be able to find you the mattress of your dreams too, and that’s something worth talking about.
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