BY NANCY HILLER Although American Futons has been in business at 105 S. Walnut only since December 2010, the company, which sells handmade futons, wooden futon frames, custom-sewn decorative covers, and matching accessories, has a history in Bloomington going back more than 30 years. The store’s owner, Shyaam Akasha, began making futons in 1978. Her motivation: After years of lower back pain, she had spent just one night on a friend’s futon and awakened to find her backache gone. A futon, Akasha explains, is a traditional form of Japanese bedding consisting of a padded mattress pliable enough to be folded or rolled up for storage when not in use. It’s the futon’s firm support that makes it a boon to [...]
