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Three years later, she recruited Colleen to become advertising director -- a position she accepted without hesitation. Colleen, Caitie, Meghan and Maureen Smithe, all between the ages of 33 and 37, represent the fourth generation of the family business and are daughters of company President Walter Smithe, the grandson of the business's namesake. The journey from Point A to Point B started with an all-blooper and outtakes reel that O'Neil and Tim Smithe put together as a birthday gift for mom Florence. We are sad to announce that on October 9, 2022 we had to say goodbye to Walter E. Smithe Jr. of Chicago, Illinois. "I was at Dulles Airport in Washington, waiting for a 9:30 flight at night," Mark says. Jeff Lewis's collection of vignettes is available at Walter E. Smithe's 11 showrooms in Chicago, and online. It stuck in your head. Now its only the wives and zero about the furniture. USA. So I'm speaking, and they're half listening, you know. "By being so close and meeting so regularly, we're all in the loop with what's happening in each other's sphere. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Currently, there are 3 generations involved in the business: Walter Smithe Jr is retired, but regularly visits the showrooms. When the boys took over from their father, there were about a half-dozen stores. He received a Bachelor of Philosophy in Commerce from the University of Notre Dame in 1958. Now, the Itasca-based furniture and interior design company wants you to get to know the Smithe sisters. The brothers spend most of their time in the company's Itasca headquarters, which also serves as a warehouse, customer service center and point of departure for the fleet of Smithe trucks. Walter e smithe is a high end furniture store, no surprise their ads are geared towards middle aged women from high income households aka suburban moms. We don't take that lightly.". The sisters are making their official debut in a new campaign theyve recently launched called the Smithe Family Makeovers. Fielding countless applications, the Smithes choose a home where they redesign a space and showcase the full range of interior design services and furnishings Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design offers. Still, she never dreamed of working full time for Walter E. Smithe Furniture, even while growing up in Barrington with her three sisters, Maureen, Caitie and Colleen. But the truth is, I love coming to the office. "They're having a lot of fun. We are a 4th generation family-owned business, and our employees are an integral part of . Walt and Tim mocked Mark's new haircut. October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM Its nice to see when a family is ready to replace a well-loved piece that they come back to Smithe to do it. To date, there are 10 Smithe stores scattered throughout Chicago, and one in northwest Indiana. "Some dabbled and moved on and others just weren't interested.". Their grandfather, who is in his 80s, remains active in the company, frequently visiting showrooms and making connections with clients. High School," Walter says. Timothy Smithe Jr. (m. 2013-2018) Kyla Lynn McCarthy (born October 8, 1986) is the daughter of politician and former Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy. "Staying fresh, young . "It's never gone completely crazy -- no one can say that one commercial will bring customers in -- but we kind of thought it re-established us in the marketplace. So as long as strangers keep serenading them with the company jingle instead of pelting them with "Hardrock, Coco and Joe" DVDs, and as long as the business continues to grow, they'll keep doing the ads. Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86, his family said. "It almost feels like the business is, in a weird way, a member of the family. The company offer of a free DVD generated a huge response, and more than 60,000 were given away.). "It was kind of a neat way to kick off our involvement in the business as a group.". Sibling revelry; Their offbeat commercials have made the Smithe brothers cult heroes. [4], In March, 2017, daughters of Walter E. Smithe III became the fourth generation of the Smithe family to be featured in the commercials.[8]. A matte black bathtub, vanity mirrors and hardware pop against the airy walls in this modern primary bathroom. View info about Walter E. Smithe Furniture (smithe.com). We can be real nimble when we're this tight and this spread across the business.". Tomorrow, Hubbard Woods Design District (Green Bay Rd. The new campaign, dubbed Smithe Family Makeovers, showcases Smithe furniture in the homes of actual clients, revealing the handiwork of the companys designers in HGTV-esque episodes. And they're not showbiz types. Walter Smithe III and his brothers Mark and Tim helped make the furniture store a household name with clever commercials -- a tradition that's continued with Smithe III's four daughters, Colleen . Edit: I have been informed that they are the daughters, not the wives. But they still manage to get out to their stores about once a week, touching base with their employees, surprising customers or hosting events such as book signings or wine tastings. "There are still people who ask us, 'Where are the brothers? Bargain-hunters, take note: Artistica (990 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, artistica.com) has gotten a jumpstart on spring cleaning and updated its clearance selection to include more than 600 items (including custom-painted majolica backsplash panels) discounted by 50 percent. Trendwise, Caitie says the color gurus at Pantone were right on when they selected a bright shade of green as Color of the Year. I love the one where they are drinking what looks like Tang out of wine glasses. "There was some physical violence between the brothers," Walt says with that satisfied look of a big brother who got to dish it out. - Timmy: Dressed as an old-time newspaper boy, 10-year-old Timmy appeared in dozens of commercials in the '70s for his uncle's Long Chevrolet dealership in Elmhurst. We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". walter e smithe furniture inc. Meghan was hired in 2013 and now serves as director of sales strategy. His four daughtersMaureen Megan Clarke Caitie Jisa and Colleen Parkerare now the new faces of this historic Chicago brand a spot he and his brothers held for decades. She is a celebrity who is genuinely interested in how her furniture will do and be perceived, Maureen says. Its very much in line with our desire to offer the most beautiful pieces that are of the highest quality. "An hour and a half. Determine whether Walter E. Smithe Furniture grew or shrank during the last recession. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. [7], Chicagoans have had mixed reactions to the Walter E. Smithe commercials. The Smithe brothers commercials Chicagoans are used to were great for getting the Walter E. Smithe name out, but the new ads put the focus back on the furniture and design services, said Meghan Smithe. With 16 1/2 children among them (Colleen is due with her third baby this month), the sisters also find work as a time to be togethersans children. "It was kind of ingrained in us," Caitie Smithe said. As the fourth generation to run their family-owned Chicago furniture store, Walter. Its a tough balance, but I like figuring out the retail puzzle.. Walter E. Smithe Jr's death was announced Thursday on the company's Facebook page. Indian Trail, High Street intersection work approved in Aurora, Suspect in high-speed chase crashes into, kills veteran Indiana State Trooper trying to stop him: officials, Educators get peek at Paramount play about artificial intelligence which is set to tour schools, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Now, there are 12, a 115,000-square-foot headquarters in Itasca and more than 550 employees, and this year Walter E. Smithe Furniture will do $100 million in sales. "People really did love seeing them on their TVs.". The answer -- and the sisters' secret to success -- can be summed up in three key words: Fresh. Subscribe to one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, and opportunities in Chicago. Reaching a younger demographic and expanding their clientele has required some creativity, the sisters said. "They were loved," said Colleen Smithe, the youngest daughter of Walter Smithe III. By last year, though, each had returned to the company their great-grandfather founded. He also hosted telethons. The transition took place over the span of 12 years as key positions became available in the company, starting with Maureen who became a merchandise buyer. 443 were here. Then he and Thorson meet with his brothers and throw ideas around. In a new seven-minute "Smithe Family Makeover" video, you'll only see one Smithe brother and you'll only hear the new version of the familiar jingle if you watch all the way through to the credits. That's a galaxy away from the current "Star Wars" parody. walter e smithe furniture & design. Im stunned when people watch one of our makeovers and are surprised that Smithe carries so much of what they like, says Caitie. CHICAGO The founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design has died. "And there's 10 televisions, all tuned to the same station. "We're dreamers and we have big ideas," Meghan said. "[7] Maria Coons, a marketing teacher at Harper College, has also defended the advertisements, telling a Daily Herald reporter, "Some people who aren't in that [30 to 60 year old] demographic might consider them dorky, but for their target market, they're not. Smithe brothers aim for 'Sex' appeal in latest quirky commercial, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Walter_E._Smithe&oldid=1127865487, This page was last edited on 17 December 2022, at 02:33. And Mark, 40, is Smithe's general counsel; he and his partner live in Lincoln Park with Petey, a 4-year-old bulldog. Some have criticized the spots for underemphasizing Walter E. Smithe's actual furniture products. "I think it's time for us to get out of these TV commercials," Walter said. They've been able to weather the unexpected storm of the coronavirus pandemic. But now a new generationsisters Meghan, Colleen, Maureen, and Caitie Smitheis shaking things up in a big way. Hotel Mousai Puerto Vallarta, Room Request: Four Seasons Hotel Bogota Casa Medina, New Restaurants and Bars in New York City, Clare V., Mulberry and More New Retail Openings in NYC, Tony Robbins Challenge to Provide 1 Billion Meals Nears its Goal, Get behind-the-scenes pictures on Instagram. "What about you and your sisters?". She had been a buyer for Abercrombie and Fitch for a few years after college when a job opened up in the Smithe merchandising office. What The Walter E. Smithe Daughters Do . College was a turning point for the sisters, who now call one another their best friends. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design is a family-owned furniture retailer, founded right here in Chicago, back in 1945. His four daughtersMaureen, Meghan, Caitie, and Colleenare now the new faces of this historic Chicago brand, a spot he and his brothers held for decades. 1E, kneenandco.com) continues to add to its Robbe & Berking assortment with the new Martel Bar collection, which features bar cart staples like handmade silver tumblers and cocktail coupes as well as bottle openers and nutcrackers. This is useful in estimating the financial strength and credit risk of the company. We refer to Smithe.com as our 12th store, since many of our clients are doing their research online before coming to see us in person.. Further confused by the commercials now. Lewis Lazare. "In a family business, everyone has to wear all hats at all times," Maureen said. It's not included in a shorter version now airing on TV. Regarded as top performer within the account and the Agency, as a result of consistent over-delivery, passion to grow the business . Caitie, Colleen, Maureen and Meghan Smithe represent the fourth generation helping run their Chicago-based family furniture store, Walter E. Smithe, and they're determined not to be the last. Or "Hardrock, Coco and Joe." We learned so much from these relationships, Colleen says. His signature line: "Linn Burton for certain!". She has a few ideas for how to add a little spring to your home. "We're not your parents' furniture company," Caitie said. Personally, I dont want to stare at ugly furniture for all those years, Meghan says. Let's go Cubbies! Their advertising is creative, it's timely and it's interesting, so people remember it and they like it.". The Walter E. Smithe furniture jingle "you dream it, we build it" has been a longtime fixture in the firm's television ads, just as the Smithe brothers themselves have been. That collective experience comes in handy ahead of any major decisions. The 3rd brother, Tim Smithe, retired in 2016. So much misogyny in these comments, their commercials have always been cheesy and annoying. The Smithe sisters now serve as the face . Since 1945 the company has . I love incorporating an unexpected element into a room. Who are the Walter E Smithe daughters? Haute Living is a network of luxury publications with bimonthly regional editions in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco. Their dad, the company's president, continued filming his signature ads with his brother, Mark, for a short period of time, Colleen said. Jamie Sotonoff. I only hear them on the radio. His sons, Walter, Tim, and Mark, joined the company in the 1970s and 1980s. Rocketreach finds email, phone & social media for 450M+ professionals. The best commercial -- at least the one viewers relished -- featured this grating kid getting hit in the face with a pie. "That is the top priority for the four of us," Meghan Smithe said. The implication was that he was doing/looking at something inappropriate. In 2002 they brought in director Bill O'Neil to help them. That's why when she and her three sisters -- Maureen, Meghan and Caitie -- were asked a few years ago to transition into the role their father and uncles held for so long, they weren't immediately receptive. You want it to succeed and do well.". Its no longer that way.. Thats fast, but it shows what we can do. Brothers Walt, Tim and Mark Smithe -- the faces of Walter E. Smithe Furniture -- seem to have hit on something with their ubiquitous ads. Find locations. Watch. Were not trying to portray an image that working mothers can pull off everything without something falling through, Maureen says candidly. E. Smithe sisters Caitie, Colleen, Meghan and Maureen were introduced to the business at a young age. "Smithes have fun at the old ballpark". Then the commercial came on. She also sees more demand for curation: Rather than walking into a store and getting an entire matching bedroom or dining set, people are mixing and matching and getting a look thats uniquely theirs., The new ED Ellen DeGeneres furniture collection (now available at all 11 Walter E. Smithe showrooms) allows for just thatand it includes versatile pieces that transcend their typical use. Even their more than 250 employees are treated like family. Through March 7, EuroFurniture (2145 W. Grand Ave., eurofurniture.com) is offering 15 percent off BDI media cabinets and consoles available in-store, online, and by phone. The sisters can measure the span of their careers by their childrens ages and development, so they clearly understand what its like to worry about furniture at the mercy of young, messy children. Walter E. Smithe Furniture is a company located in Itasca, Illinois, United States. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe . 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Visit . They're going to be the ones buying furniture for the next 50 years, so we have to be ready to serve them the way they want to be served," said Walter Smithe, 57. Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Linly Designs, Rieke Office Interiors, 57st Design. Were a Chicago company that was given national exposure. Draftfcb. For decades, the public faces of the privately owned company have been the sisters father, Walter E. Smithe IIIthe 59-year-old grandson of the businesss namesakeand the sisters uncles, Mark and Tim. Check out the new collection. Ellen is very serious about design and had a definite voice in what this modern-rustic-meets-farmhouse collection would be. How, they wondered, would longtime customers respond to four new female faces on their television screens? "They go a long way with a limited budget through the use of creativity," he says. And I thought, `makeup and lighting. Visit Website (opens in new window) Walter E. Smithe. In some of the footage, youll see my dad installing a dimmer or my uncle driving a truck. formId: "acc781a7-d0b4-433d-bc7f-c5bac12f3766" "So that drove us, I think, to be successes.". But shes quick to point out that the business is still very much a multigenerational effort, noting that their 81-year-old grandfather still regularly meets with clients. This initiative calls for all hands on deck. The seven pieces featured in the Quincy Master Bedroom vignette below (chair, trunk . For the most part, that relationship translates well in the business world, they say. The inky accents create a sleek statement against the white walls and lend a streamlined look to the space. The Smithe sisters - Walter III's daughters Maureen, Meghan, Caitie, and Colleen - are also now executives at Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design and appear in the ads. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design advertising has featured everything from parodies of "The Price Is Right" to a 2013 classic in which the Smithe brothers got into a wrestling ring with Billy Corgan. The commercial included the tagline "Change the Name, Change the Luck", a reference to the Cubs' decades-long struggle to reach the World Series. For people who are in their 40s and have families, that's how brothers act around each other when they get together. The new generation of Smithes are featured in the company's new advertising. Meghan is director of marketing, Caitie is a designer and stylist and Colleen is director of advertising. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. We simply never had that conversation, Meghan says. In family businesses, thats the only way to ensure a companys continued success. Today, Maureen is a buyer, Meghan is the director of marketing, Caitie is a designer and assists the merchandising team, and Colleen is the director of advertising. In the 1970s Walter left Smithe and Shanahan (His brothers remained with the original company) to start his own company - Walter E. Smithe. But now a new generationsisters Meghan, Colleen, Maureen, and Caitie . It's fun to be part of Chicago in that way.". "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years," Meghan said. Bloomingdale Plaza. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. Bob's proudly proclaims that it sells cheap garbage, Walter E looks like they're trying to sell you viagra and Penny Mustard radio commercials are justweird.. The Smithe boys started out in a tiny ranch house in Des Plaines, the children of Walter Jr. and Florence. I think people felt sorry for me, assuming that I wasnt getting any sleep and having to come to work every day, says Maureen. The process starts with Tim Smithe, Pam Thorson (the company's director of advertising) and director/editor Bill O'Neil of O'Neil Productions of Wilmette. After college, all three gravitated back to the family business, which was founded by their father. walter e smithe. (He's now semi-retired, having turned the business over to his sons about 10 years ago.). Feb 20, 2022 - The 4th generation of Walter E. Smithe family stops by to visit Bob and Marianne. It's partnered with celebrity designers and broadened the mix of products carried in stores, online and in its resurrected catalog to include more current trends and a wider range of price points. "We're custom, so we can create everything, but we need to get the right mix out there to give people ideas," said Meghan Smithe, the company's director of marketing. "I was invited to speak to 300-some designers in Oak Brook," he says. Shop the clearance. "[5] Of the commercials, Tim Smithe has said, "We wanted to entertain people first, so then when we wanted to inform them they'd already be paying attention". And it's those commercials, always informative and usually silly, that have the Smithe brothers walking in the footsteps of Linn Burton and the Empire Carpet Guy as Chicago TV commercial icons. '", "I was at a gym on a treadmill," Mark says of the first time he caught one of the commercials. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Smithes: (L-R) Colleen, Meghan, Walter III, Walter Jr., Mark, Caitie, and Maureen. Their camaraderie is genuine, and they can easily share ideas and bounce between conversations. As mothers, all of us have cleaned up a childs spill, or even their vomit, from our furniture, Colleen jokes. You have this sense of passion and responsibility for it. People are buying a look, but they want it to feel curated and personal., Its up to Maureen and Caitie to monitor the market, make sure the showroom reflects current palettes, while staying a few steps ahead of what is currently trending. When I first came on board, our industry was very much a good old boys club, says Maureen, who regularly travels to marketplaces around the country to buy merchandise. Get 5 free searches. Or using a new high-tech application to keep couch fabric truly worry free from childrens spills, everything from spaghetti sauce to Kool-Aid. I can't breathe!' Our lives can be overrun with technology, commitments and schedules. At Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, we are committed to helping our clients love their homes through expert design, quality furnishings, and exemplary service. The company's commercials were originally straightforward descriptions of their products and services, but in 2003, the brothers decided to include outtakes from past filmings, which showed the brothers stumbling over words and laughing at each other. Whoever said brick-and-mortar is dead hasn't met the Smithe sisters. What she does: "I make spaces beautiful for clients' homes, our catalogs and showrooms, and play couples' therapist for clients who can't agree on a sofa." Favorite design style: Modern mixed with traditional. Our dad always put an emphasis on hard work, and it stuck with us.. "It's been about reworking how we approach visually what we want to convey about the product that we're selling," Meghan said. Last year there aas a commercial where the puppet quickly moved to close his laptop when someone came in the office. The first change I noticed was it became all about the sons. "They took different career paths," Tim says. Not as long as they keep the commercials clever and topical, O'Neil says. Chicago Parent, as a Zoe Communications Group company, is certified as a Womens Business Enterprise by the Womens Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nations largest third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women. Read on to find out more about pelvic floor therapy and how it's growing in popularity among postpartum women. Warehouse workers go over every piece of inventory awaiting delivery with a fine-tooth comb, looking for things an untrained eye would never see. (Last year, Walter E. Smithe resurrected the 1950s-era cartoon that was a holiday staple on WGN-Ch. Sisters Colleen, Caitie, Maureen and Meghan Smithe, from left, are breaking the mold as fourth-generation leaders of the 75-year-old Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design. McCarthy was married to grandson of Walter E. Smithe, Timothy Smithe Jr. in Paris, France in June of 2013. . "He'd come up from behind and drop in it on us," Tim says. 70 reviews of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design "This is a really good store for when you hit age 40 or so and realize your house still resembles a college dorm. No outside agency required. ", Says Tim Smithe, "Pop culture is always changing and so are we.". [1] The 4th generation (the Smithe Sisters), all daughters of Walter III, are Maureen Smithe (buyer), Meghan Smithe (director of marketing), Caitie Smithe (designer, design coordinator and stylist) and Colleen Smithe (director of advertising). Spoken like the daughter of a true "shop owner," as her father Walter E. Smithe III, president of the eponymous furniture retailer calls himself. The company has become known over the years in particular for its quirky TV commercials Chicago TV viewers have long known the jingle, "Walter E. Smithe, you dream it we build it." Margie, who used to be a buyer for Smithe, moved to St. Louis with her husband, who worked for Anheuser-Busch's ad agency. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. They're not egomaniacs. It turned out so well that Tim carried along a copy to a speaking engagement. Kneen & Co. (399 W. Fullerton Pkwy., Ste. But the sisters also know they can always turn to the leaders who came before them. From 5 to 8 p.m., select retailers will offer refreshments while highlighting unique designers. Favorite design style: Cozy and comfortableaka hygge ethos. Postpartum bladder leaks are common but there's help. He cites the U2 music video takeoff. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. But it wasn't long before he approached his youngest daughter with a proposition. Someone really needs a new marketing director/CMO/agency because they do not know what they are doing. So, somewhat reluctantly, they let themselves become the public face of Walter E. Smithe Furniture. Primary Address. Others have been parodies of reality television shows, such as The Apprentice and The Bachelor. What she does: Come up with ideas that get people off their couch and into our storesand put my sisters in awkward positions (see our commercials)., What she does: Whether were working or just hanging out, my Type A personality keeps us organized and on track.. Assuming your a dude your not supposed to understand the commercials. Relevant. The Smithe family announced that their patriarch died this past Sunday with his wife of 64 years, Florence Flynn Smithe, by his side. A new collection at Holly Hunt, discounts at EuroFurniture, a First Friday event at Hubbard Woods Design District, and more. The slogans "You dream it, we build it", or "That's Smithe, with an E" are commonly used. Walter E. Smithe and Bill Shanahan founded the store anticipating a booming economy in the wake of World War II. "As needs within the business grew, positions opened up organically," Maureen said. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design (Old Orchard) 17 miles. Billy Corgan and Walter E. Smithe Wrestling. There have been more than a thousand of them since, and thanks to the magic of cable TV he is now a national celebrity. When they get a topic, Smithe says, he tries to figure a way to blend it into an ad. Walter has been known to take furniture for test drives, says Meghan. The Smithes stand out because they're doing silly things. His daughters were hesitant at first, questioning whether they were ready for such a responsibility. This rating has improved by 10% over the last 12 months. Holly Hunt (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Ste. It takes work and sacrifice.. Who are these guys? Darvin is always yelling about discounts. Walter E. Smithe Jr. died peacefully at age 86, his family said in a prepared statement. Walter E. Smithe, Jr. joined the business in the 1960s with his brothers Gary and Tomm, and began phasing out appliances to focus on custom upholstery. "Case in point, I was just this morning sketching out my first ideas for The Three Tenors, featuring, of course, the Smithe brothers in a coliseum. Only a year apart in age, the lively, fast-talking Smithe sisters consider one another best friends. We understand that customers see a certain look on, say, Instagram and they want it replicated in their own home, Colleen says. Newlyweds can now register for exclusive honeymoon stays and experiences at 23 of Auberge Resorts Collections luxury hotels and resorts worldwide More, With two movies out this winter, the actress and producer Salma Hayek Pinault is at the top of her game More, The star of A Beautiful Noise, which just opened at the Broadhurst Theatre, is a big Neil Diamond fan More, The writer and actor makes his Broadway debut in his just-opened play Aint No Mo More, After flying high in the hit sequel Top Gun: Maverick, Glen Powell stars in the new film Devotion, out now More, It's not enough to just be smart. Compare how recession-proof Walter E Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. Marketing Contacts Contacts (5/9) Name Title State; Walter S. President & Chief Executive Officer . Woven Roman shades, a jute rug and a blonde wood vanity usher texture and warmth into the otherwise minimalist design. At that age, it was very exciting to come home and brag that we sold maybe hundreds or thousands of dollars in furniture, Meghan recalls.