There have been more than a thousand of them since, and thanks to the magic of cable TV he is now a national celebrity. There are so many cool and unique materials being used to manufacture furniture these dayssuch as capiz shells, bone inlay, faux shagreen, concrete, rope and slate. Today. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe . One of my friends used to live near Fullerton and Western, and she would always tell people she lived near Tile Outlet. Sometimes its the only quiet I get.. Walter Smithe, president of the furniture company named for his grandfather, is flanked by daughters, Maureen, left, and Caitie on March 21, 2017, as theywatch his other daughters Colleen, far left, and Meghan play pingpong at the Walter E. Smithe furniture store in Oak Brook. Shop the clearance. Jamie Sotonoff. The company made its website easier to use and more modern-looking. He cites the U2 music video takeoff. Then he and Thorson meet with his brothers and throw ideas around. View info about Walter E. Smithe Furniture (smithe.com). What she does: I use both sides of my brain: left for all the analytical spreadsheet stuff and right for the creative vision. 9's "Garfield Goose" and "Ray Rayner" shows. Their advertising is creative, it's timely and it's interesting, so people remember it and they like it.". Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. How could the Itasca-based company break the mold and reach a new audience while still carrying its message into a fourth generation? Meghan Smithe was on maternity leave when she began working part time in the family business, long known for its infectious jingle: You dream it, we build it.. Opening Day is March 30. Smithe's three sons the Smithe brothers Mark, Tim, and Walter III became executives in the business and were regularly featured in the commercials. 1 Early life; 2 Television; 3 Personal Life; 4 References; . And it's not uncommon for their kids to make cameo appearances in advertisements or to help sort through fabric samples, "which would technically make it a five-generation business," Maureen says. His daughters were hesitant at first, questioning whether they were ready for such a responsibility. Please enter valid email address to continue. Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. Marketing Contacts Contacts (5/9) Name Title State; Walter S. President & Chief Executive Officer . 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. Holly Hunt (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Ste. It was like the empire jingle. The first change I noticed was it became all about the sons. But always start from a place where we love each other and enjoy working together., Between the ages of 10 and 18, former Barrington High School soccer, For Olympian Patrick Gasienica, ski jumping has been a part of his, Dr. Rekha S. Rajan has devoted her personal and professional life to, One of the most prestigious dance companies in the world, The Joffrey, Saint Anne Catholic Community Churchs Project Hope ministry, A night of sequin-studded disco fever, the 5th Annual Hoosier Ball was. Contact Information. with Maureen Smithe Brusznicki and Caitie Smithe Jisa at Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. Last edited on 17 December 2022, at 02:33, https://incfact.com/company/walteresmithefurniture-itasca-il/, Walter E. Smithe gives royal treatment to Royal Manner. Growing up, she and her sisters held various roles at the furniture and design firm, earning their first paychecks and gaining job experience and exploring interests that would later launch their careers. ("You should keep that hat on for about three weeks. A wake will be held at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home in Park Ridge on Friday, Oct. 21, and a funeral mass will follow on Saturday, Oct. 22, and St. Paul of the Cross Church in Park Ridge. The Smithe sisters now serve as the face of the firm, offering a female perspective that better reflects the company, the industry and the country today. We are sad to announce that on October 9, 2022 we had to say goodbye to Walter E. Smithe Jr. of Chicago, Illinois. Chicago magazine newsletters have you covered. An added factor in the commercials' success are the brothers, who come across as regular guys. Caitie was a manufacturers' representative before becoming a stay-at-home mom. "They've done a wonderful job building a distinctive brand," says Tim Calkins, a professor of marketing at Northwestern University. "And of course this summer's blockbuster is supposed to be `Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.' The Bob's puppet is a far better actor than the Smithe girls though. The CBS Chicago team is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSChicago.com. Bloomingdale Plaza. Here, get to know this powerhouse quartet. "They were loved," said Colleen Smithe, the youngest daughter of Walter Smithe III. Personally, I dont want to stare at ugly furniture for all those years, Meghan says. William Hageman and Tribune staff reporter. 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. - Nick Celozzi and Maury Ettleson: Starting in the early '70s, they waved fistfuls of cash at TV viewers and reminded everyone that Celozzi-Ettleson Chevrolet in Elmhurst was "Where you always save more money!". 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. Like their brothers, the four Smithe sisters were all in the business when they were in high school. There's a certain time and simplicity factor, so from the time of the idea to the time we shoot it can be as short as a week.". "They go a long way with a limited budget through the use of creativity," he says. The best commercial -- at least the one viewers relished -- featured this grating kid getting hit in the face with a pie. Furniture Stores. "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. The commercials are created in-house. Create Comparison. What she does: I make spaces beautiful for clients homes, our catalogs and showrooms, and play couples therapist for clients who cant agree on a sofa.. "We were kind of like dorks, geeks, growing up," Mark says. Favorite design style: Clean and neutral. McCarthy was married to grandson of Walter E. Smithe, Timothy Smithe Jr. in Paris, France in June of 2013. . "There are still people who ask us, 'Where are the brothers? Only a year apart in age, the lively, fast-talking Smithe sisters consider one another best friends. "People really did love seeing them on their TVs.". First published on October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM. And Amy is a singer and songwriter. Hauldren -- an advertising copywriter who created the character -- first appeared in the ads in 1973. Read the rest of the issue. Updating your home theater? Instead, the Smithe sisters Colleen, director of advertising; Maureen, a buyer; Caitie, a designer; and Meghan, the marketing director help a Chicago couple with tastes that sometimes clash give their town home a new look before relatives show up for a visit. His signature line: "Linn Burton for certain!". "If you think of furniture commercials, it's always just panning a showroom with obnoxious graphics," says O'Neil, who has directed all the Smithe commercials. 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. That cartoon of Bob has BDE and you can't deny it. 177 East Army Trail Road, Glendale Heights, IL 60139. And then fate gently tapped them on their shoulder. "I was invited to speak to 300-some designers in Oak Brook," he says. Explore more of the publications in our portfolio here. Whether bringing in color as an accent or making a big statement with a lot of color, your home will feel instantly transformed and personalized. And they're not showbiz types. Contents. Their interactions were zany, their dialogue lighthearted, their catchy jingle -- "you dream it, we build it" -- recognizable throughout the region. It was founded by Walter Edward Smithe and Bill Shanahan in 1945. They have a younger brother, who lives out of state, and plenty of younger cousins who have yet to join the team, though the sisters say there's still time. "And they've been able to personalize a retail chain through the use of the brothers. This has been our priority since we first began serving the Chicago area back in 1945. "I think it's time for us to get out of these TV commercials," Walter said. 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. Through March 16, enjoy savings of up to 20 percent on select rugs (hopscotch, anyone?) Meghan was hired in 2013 and now serves as director of sales strategy. The Feldco guy creeps me out more. Even with little ones underfoot, the Smithe sisters make balancing their family furniture business and their growing broods look effortless. In 2002 they brought in director Bill O'Neil to help them. Reviews on Outlet Walter E Smithe in Glendale Heights, IL 60139 - Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, Toms Price Home, The Dump Furniture Outlet, Ashley HomeStore, The RoomPlace, Roy's Furniture, Domicile [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]. Its unjust to think that women can somehow balance it all, Colleen adds. Walter E. Smithe Jr's death was announced Thursday on the company's Facebook page. 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 . The girls got the bedrooms; the three boys shared a room in the basement. Watch. Now, a lot more people know about us than knew a few years ago.". The company gained national exposure from Lewis' collection, and each sister was able to shine in her own specialty. Haute Living is a network of luxury publications with bimonthly regional editions in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco. "And I'd be yelling, `I can't breathe! My wife and I were just talking about this yesterday, we truly hate the Walter E Smithe commercials with the daughters. This article originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Chicago Parent. Edit: I have been informed that they are the daughters, not the wives. Favorite design style: Cozy and comfortableaka hygge ethos. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. Walter E. Smithe wants to create a series of similar videos to give customers a behind-the-scenes look at their services and the company. ("Did you notice he used the wide-angle lens when he shot your [rear end]?"). With 10 years of advertising industry experience, Smithe Parker, daughter of President Walter E. Smithe III, has worked with high-profile advertising agencies in Chicago. Find locations. Postpartum bladder leaks are common but there's help. We don't take that lightly.". For people who are in their 40s and have families, that's how brothers act around each other when they get together. Who are the Walter E Smithe daughters? It stuck in your head. You want it to succeed and do well.". Since 1945 the company has . The 86-year-old patriarch of the Smithe family, Walter Edward Smithe Jr., "died . "But these are guys who you'd go to dinner with, you know? But even as likable as the brothers are, do they run the risk of oversaturation or going to the well too often? Regarded as top performer within the account and the Agency, as a result of consistent over-delivery, passion to grow the business . Our dad always put an emphasis on hard work, and it stuck with us.. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Three generations are involved in the family-run Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design, including Walter Smithe Jr. (far right); his sons Walter III (far left) and Mark; and his four granddaughters, from left, Maureen, Caitie, Colleen and Meghan. A matte black bathtub, vanity mirrors and hardware pop against the airy walls in this modern primary bathroom. hbspt.forms.create({ To see these serious, stuffy guys laughing and having fun someone yelled out, `You should use that as a commercial. 9615 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077. "We have wonderful clients who are my generation or older, but we have to figure out how we cater to this new generation that's setting up households now. 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. But learning how to work together while also juggling their busy personal lives -- they have 18 kids among the four of them -- can be a delicate balance. Subscribe for free today! Additional partnerships with the likes of Cynthia Rowley and Ellen Degeneres have exposed the company to a new customer base. Last year there aas a commercial where the puppet quickly moved to close his laptop when someone came in the office. Industry: Home Furniture & Housewares Stores. Along the way, they got married, had children (17 in all!) But now a new generationsisters Meghan, Colleen, Maureen, and Caitie . "And a woman was there with her daughter, and she nudged her and I heard her say, 'That's the Walter E. Smithe guy.' officially retires, although he still enjoys visiting showrooms and meeting clients. For example, Meghan had to miss her sons Valentines Day party at school this year, due to work responsibilities. Anyone got a link to the current commercial? 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. Let's go Cubbies! We see this country chic trend currently happening as a design emergency, says Maureen. 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 only hear them on the radio. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs Walter E. Maureen in 2002 Meghan in 2014 Caitie in 2015 and Colleen in 2016. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. Walter E. Smithe also is changing up its ads. Cindy went to college in Iowa and settled there after school. The are the Smithe sisters, Meghan, Colleen, Maureen and Caitie. walter e smithe. Three years later, she recruited Colleen to become advertising director -- a position she accepted without hesitation. Shop the Sofa Sale. The Itasca-based company has 10 locations across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, where the sisters ply their fourth-generation talents. As teens, the four sisters worked only part time in their fathers showroom or outlet store, selling furniture and earning their first paychecks along with other eager, cash-strapped teens. 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. A 2005 advertisement showed Mark and Tim Smithe dueling with CGI-enhanced lamps in an homage to the lightsaber duels of the Star Wars films. Jeff Lewis's collection of vignettes is available at Walter E. Smithe's 11 showrooms in Chicago, and online. There's a preconceived notion that furniture stores are stuffy and tired, run by men in suits and catering to older generations. About. Business Profile for Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca. It's all a part of an effort to hang on to the company's loyal customers while persuading younger shoppers that Walter E. Smithe isn't just their parent's go-to store. Walter E. Smithe is a family business in every sense of the word, the sisters say. 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. 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.. As the oldest sibling, Maureen was the first to officially join Walter E. Smithe in a professional capacity in 2004. Walter E. Smithe Jr. also earned a master's degree in Anthropology at Loyola University Chicago in 1980. My sisters and I loved being a part of it.. At-a-glance. Customers were more concerned with what we were selling versus the people who were selling it, she adds. One by one, each sister began working in the family business. We get that question all the time, and that was to be expected," Colleen said. They've spruced up their styles, selling more contemporary pieces among their traditional designs. Its a constant toggle between work and family talk, notes Colleen, but at the end of the day theyre focused on creating a furniture company that helps clients truly curate a home. The 4th generation (Walter III's daughters) join the business after careers in their respective fields; Maureen in 2002, Meghan in 2014, Caitie in 2015, and Colleen in 2016. Their camaraderie is genuine, and they can easily share ideas and bounce between conversations. Is she OK? 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. Then there's their father, a hardworking industry expert who leads by example and walks into any work setting saying, "We check our egos at the door.". View a map of participating First Friday locations. '", "I was at a gym on a treadmill," Mark says of the first time he caught one of the commercials. You may also light a candle in honor of Walter E. Smithe Jr. or send a beautiful flower arrangement to the funeral . In some of the footage, youll see my dad installing a dimmer or my uncle driving a truck. Even if you weren't sure that Walt, Tim and Mark Smithe were brothers -- yep, those Smithe brothers, of "Walter E. Smithe, you dream it, we build it" fame -- their banter at a recent commercial shoot was a dead giveaway. As their father, the company president, has told customers for decades, Life is too short to sit on uncomfortable furniture.. Walt (actually Walter Smithe III), 45, is president and general manager of the company; he and his wife have five kids and live in Barrington Hills. I presented my ideas for this two weeks ago and it will be out on the floor in three weeks. 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. Later, both Tim and Mark were night managers at competing convenience stores, Tim at a 7-Eleven in Niles and Mark at a Park Ridge White Hen. Their dad, the company's president, continued filming his signature ads with his brother, Mark, for a short period of time, Colleen said. Walter E. Smithe told me they work with many designers but Jeff was really able to get a lot of value into the pieces in his collection and that its why . Then they brought in the wives. A few bucks later, the clunker is off to Victory's Bensenville lot. 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. Young. 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. The company makes, sells, and repairs furniture, specializing in custom upholstery, and operates ten showrooms throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Walter Smithe III and Mark Smithe (the Smithe Brothers) are the sons of Walter Jr, and serve as President and VP/Legal Counsel, respectively. Getting the Smithes in front of the camera wasn't easy. Sip A Negroni While Exploring This Stunning New Home Boutique, Peruse Artisan-Crafted Collections At This Chicago Boutique, Fresh And Feminine Vibes Rule This Winnetka Boutique, Whats In Store At Chicagos New Must-See Surface Destination, 3 Things To Know About The Latest RH Gallery, Do Not Sell Or Share My Personal Information. In one of their most memorable ads, the four women get into a food fight -- spaghetti and red wine included -- and seemingly destroy a bright white couch, which is then scrubbed clean. It turned out so well that Tim carried along a copy to a speaking engagement. Find employees, official website, emails, phone numbers, revenue, employee headcount, social accounts, and anything related to Walter E. Smithe Furniture. and became working moms in different industries. The sisters get together at least twice a week, traveling from their homes in Chicago, Barrington and Riverside, leaving behind their children, husbands and home duties. The spot showed the brothers at a news conference announcing that they had purchased Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, with plans to rename it Walter E. Smithe Field. 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. "There was some physical violence between the brothers," Walt says with that satisfied look of a big brother who got to dish it out. During a stint in the Army, Smithe attained the rank of captain and became an expert in the field of computers. Still, the Smithes have had to weather various challenges since joining the company, including the retirement of their uncle, Tim. The commercial, Colleen's brainchild, aimed to show off the company's new "worry-free" performance fabrics that repel stains, a trend Maureen recognized at a major industry trade show and brought back to the Chicago market. He was still spending weekends at Smithe furniture showrooms until recently and he volunteered for many years for Habitat for Humanity, building houses in the U.S. and Central America. We simply never had that conversation, Meghan says. So I'm speaking, and they're half listening, you know. between Scott Ave. and Tower Rd., Winnetka, shophwdd.com) hosts a First Friday event on the North Shore. "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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Smithe brothers have been described as "Chicago's most recognizable furniture purveyors", due to their ubiquitous television commercials starring themselves. walter e smithe, furniture stores near me, ballinger vase buy, gold side end table, tall mirror, walter e smithe daughters, furniture . Subscribe to one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, and opportunities in Chicago. ", Instead they talk about the U2/iTunes takeoff, the brothers' version of "The Apprentice" or the Olympic parody from last year. Main Telephone (630) 285-8000. That was the extent of his pitchman career. October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM Its very much in line with our desire to offer the most beautiful pieces that are of the highest quality. 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 connect families with the best local resources, advice, stories, things to do with kids and much more. The Smithes: (L-R) Colleen, Meghan, Walter III, Walter Jr., Mark, Caitie, and Maureen. That can help Walter E. Smithe differentiate itself from the growing number of lower-priced furniture retailers that have moved into the Chicago area in the past couple of years, Walter Smithe said. Also would somebody please feed them? "If our specialties fit those needs, then we were invited to have a conversation and explore the opportunity, but it was never a demand placed on us.". Give yourself time to just be in a comfortable and beautiful outdoor space. College was a turning point for the sisters, who now call one another their best friends. Spoken like the daughter of a true "shop owner," as her father Walter E. Smithe III, president of the eponymous furniture retailer calls himself. My hope is to inspire people to slow down enough to talk with a designer and hopefully buy something.. 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. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. - Lynn Hauldren: Who? "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years," Meghan said. (847) 933-1481. And yet, as they went off to college and moved into the next phase of life, they were never expected to someday return full time. Colleen loved being able to point out that her dad and uncles, Mark and Tim, brainstormed and executed the ideas themselves. portalId: "6766057", "In what seems to be their unending and over-the-top zeal to self-promote, they just may be helping drive traffic," he wrote, adding, "If nothing else, the advertising suggests the chain has some suits with personality attached. Ask how we can add diversity to your supply chain. And in between the entertainment were his folksy commercials for Courtesy Motors -- his cars were "honeys" and "sweeties" -- which at one point was the world's largest Ford dealer. In the 1970s Walter left Smithe and Shanahan (His brothers remained with the original company) to start his own company - Walter E. Smithe. Assuming your a dude your not supposed to understand the commercials. Walter E. Smithe Jr. died peacefully at age 86, his family said in a prepared statement. We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". Introduced to the family business at an early ageI can recall pigtails in my hair, getting a penny or nickel for every clearance tag we pulled, says Meghanthe four daughters of Walter Smithe III have embraced their own roles for the Itasca, Illinois-based company; Meghan is director of marketing, Colleen is director of advertising, Maureen is a buyer, and Caitie is a designer. The Smithe sisters have heard it all before, and they've set out to dispel those misperceptions. Since 1945, we have been Chicago's local source for quality furniture and expert design. Over the past 76 years, the company has grown to include 10 Chicago area showrooms. They've transitioned into the spotlight. Its unnerving. Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up in the Northwest Side's Belmont Central neighborhood. We feel like we can now speak to the multitude of generations who shop with us, she says. High School," Walter says. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Around the same time, Caitie was ready to return to the workforce as a designer and stylist, a skill she had honed early in her career. They've relaunched catalogs showcasing their furniture in fully designed spaces. The campaign was inspired in part by a partnership with designer/house-flipper Jeff Lewis of the Bravo show Flipping Out. Sisters Colleen, Meghan, Maureen and Caitie Smithe, from left, say three key words have helped them carry their family-run furniture company into a fourth generation: fresh, young and relevant. I was probably in elementary school when I would come in to work in the warehouse, sweeping for a nickel, Colleen says of the brand, which first opened in 1945. "The brothers have no acting talent," Tim says. "Pam, Bill and I are always on the watch for pop culture. So much misogyny in these comments, their commercials have always been cheesy and annoying.
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