In Santiago de Cuba, mattress repair has become essential amid losses from hurricanes and economic shortages. Craftsmen like Omar sustain the trade despite material and transport hurdles. Tales of scams underscore the value of reputation in this informal sector.
In Santiago de Cuba, the mattress repair trade endures blackouts, hurricanes, and dollarization. Demand has surged due to household losses from storms like Hurricane Melissa, which flooded homes and ruined mattresses with dampness and mold.
Omar, with 32 years in the craft, runs a permanent workshop from his living room. A new mattress costs about 30,000 pesos (around $70), while repairs range from 18,000 to 20,000 pesos, based on spring wear and batting condition. Purchasing a new one in hard currency exceeds $300, out of reach for most. “This isn’t to get rich,” Omar says, barely covering his family’s food.
Challenges involve sourcing scarce materials like springs, batting, and fabrics, often from informal markets, plus transport issues from fuel shortages. “There are jobs I can’t take because I have no way to get there,” he acknowledges. He offers up to two years’ warranty, unlike scammers who substitute polyethylene sacks for proper batting.
Moraima, married in the 1960s, paid 15,000 pesos for a sham repair: the inside rustled like paper and soon sagged. Such stories spread in the city, breeding distrust. Amid leaky roofs and heirloom mattresses from past decades, these artisans deliver imperfect yet essential fixes for daily rest, embodying quiet resilience.