"Smithes have fun at the old ballpark". Walter E. Smithe is a family business in every sense of the word, the sisters say. I think people felt sorry for me, assuming that I wasnt getting any sleep and having to come to work every day, says Maureen. At-a-glance. The sisters left for college with a few prized furnishings and a work ethic that became a permanent fixture in their lives. For example - my favorite large upholstered dining chairs are under $200. Colleen loved being able to point out that her dad and uncles, Mark and Tim, brainstormed and executed the ideas themselves. The Smithes: (L-R) Colleen, Meghan, Walter III, Walter Jr., Mark, Caitie, and Maureen. We dont always agree on things, Colleen says. Unlike their brothers, they chose other careers. - Linn Burton: He started selling appliances in Polk Bros. ads in 1953, but the majority of his 35-year TV career was spent hawking cars -- Kaisers, Frazers, Joe Rizza's Pontiacs and, most famously, Bert Weinman's Fords. High School," Walter says. Edited to add: Looked them up and gee, it's one of the daughters managing the marketing. 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. 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. Caitie Smithe is aDesigner, Design Coordinator + Stylist atWalter E. Smithe Furniture + Design. How, they wondered, would longtime customers respond to four new female faces on their television screens? The company makes, sells, and repairs furniture, specializing in custom upholstery, and operates ten showrooms throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. But he soon returned to the family furniture business that his father first started in 1945, and pioneered the concept of custom-order furniture in the Chicago area. "We're not your parents' furniture company," Caitie said. Sometimes we present to our dad as a united front and other times we need him to be a tie breaker. Visit Website (opens in new window) Walter E. Smithe. Reaching a younger demographic and expanding their clientele has required some creativity, the sisters said. An added factor in the commercials' success are the brothers, who come across as regular guys. How could they ensure the 75-year-old brand would be sustainable for decades to come? "Staying fresh, young . However, Lewis Lazare, the Chicago Sun-Times' advertising critic, has defended the commercials. "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. Their dad, the company's president, continued filming his signature ads with his brother, Mark, for a short period of time, Colleen said. Their camaraderie is genuine, and they can easily share ideas and bounce between conversations. Meghan is director of marketing, Caitie is a designer and stylist and Colleen is director of advertising. Walter E. Smithe Furniture is a company located in Itasca, Illinois, United States. Dont burden yourself with the boredom of a matching wood set. Like their brothers, the four Smithe sisters were all in the business when they were in high school. To make up for it, she woke up early to make heart-shaped pancakes. A few bucks later, the clunker is off to Victory's Bensenville lot. Till your hair grows back."). They're not egomaniacs. It also featured an appearance by Dutchie Caray, wife of the late Cubs announcer Harry Caray. For people who are in their 40s and have families, that's how brothers act around each other when they get together. getting a penny or nickel for every clearance tag we pulled," says Meghanthe four daughters of Walter Smithe III have . Most recently, she was at . We take inspiration from the world of interior design to curate customized . Walter was the first of the third generation to join the family business in 1981 . Walter E. Smithe Jr. Obituary. 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. "We're kind of strategically positioned in different departments," Meghan said. "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. Weird. 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." Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_E._Smithe. "We wanted to entertain people first, so then when we wanted to inform them they'd already be paying attention," Tim says of their advertising philosophy. Lewis Lazare. 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.. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. It was an organic transition for each of us, says Colleen, the youngest sister. They got on each other's nerves and learned to talk quickly at the dinner table if they wanted to get a word in. It worked really well for a long time, but post-recession, we saw peoples sensibilities had changed, says Meghan. 177 East Army Trail Road, Glendale Heights, IL 60139. "Still hard for me to imagine.") Over the last 12 years, one by one, Walter's daughters have been hired on at Smithe in an official capacity. They can really do great things. ". "The majority of what we run is informational and tells about the company, but those aren't the ones people are talking about at the water cooler. They decided on an ad campaign that would, simply, pitch their product. ", Instead they talk about the U2/iTunes takeoff, the brothers' version of "The Apprentice" or the Olympic parody from last year. And they represented Walter E. Smithe with a sense of drive and zeal that can only exude from the third-generation stakeholders of what has become a household name. Then they tie in pop culture it shows that they're sort of a with-it furniture company. Sisters Take Smithe Spotlight, More High-End Barware, and a Sofa Sale, 2020 Chicago magazine / A Chicago Tribune Media Group website, map of participating First Friday locations, Design Controls - Facebook Instant Article. Meghan can recall her pigtails bouncing as she ran through the Walter E. Smithe warehouse as a young girl, pulling sales tags in exchange for a nickel or dime from her grandfather, Walter Smithe Jr. The new generation of Smithes are featured in the company's new advertising. My wife and I were just talking about this yesterday, we truly hate the Walter E Smithe commercials with the daughters. Walter E. Smithe also is changing up its ads. CHICAGO The founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design has died. His signature line: "Linn Burton for certain!". The Smithes had been encouraged to air their outtakes on television after Tim Smithe screened them at an interior design seminar and received a positive reaction from the crowd. 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. Walter E. Smithe Jr. died peacefully at age 86, his family said in a prepared statement. The founder of well-known Chicago-area furniture company Walter E. Smithe has died, his family announced Wednesday. The Smithe brothers are following in the footsteps of other memorable Chicago commercial icons: - Jim Moran: Starting in the late '40s, "The Courtesy Man" sponsored wrestling programs, late-night movies, a country-and-western music show and his own variety show. 2023 Zoe Communications Group | 332 S. Michigan Ave., Suite #LL-M974, Chicago, IL 60604 | 708.386.5555 | Website by Web Publisher PRO, ParentEd Talks: Free Virtual Speaker Series, A Concerned Parents Guide to Gun Violence and Gun Safety. 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. 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. In the late '60s, the growing family -- there are also four sisters, Cindy, Margie and twins Hope and Amy, none of whom is involved in the family business -- moved to a slightly larger home in Park Ridge. "We're dreamers and we have big ideas," Meghan said. 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. The girls have all worked elsewhere before they came to work here, says Walter of his daughters who have had careers ranging from merchandising to advertising. This is useful in estimating the financial strength and credit risk of the company. The best commercial -- at least the one viewers relished -- featured this grating kid getting hit in the face with a pie. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. 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 . That cartoon of Bob has BDE and you can't deny it. Watch. Colleen Smithe, Director of Advertising First published on October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM. - 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. [7], Chicagoans have had mixed reactions to the Walter E. Smithe commercials. There have been more than a thousand of them since, and thanks to the magic of cable TV he is now a national celebrity. '", "The business steadily increased since we started the commercials," Walt says. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. 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.. ", Says Tim Smithe, "Pop culture is always changing and so are we.". 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. Were really excited about this program, explains Meghan. It took the mother of six children a few years to figure out how to juggle her demanding career and busy home life. Multi Location Business. 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. For instance, finding that perfect piece of decorative furniture that creatively doubles as a toy box for kids games, toys and video devices. One spot was modeled after Apple's weird commercials. USA. - The Victory Auto Wreckers guy: Almost every night since 1981, on some channel, Bob Zajdel has barely escaped injury when the driver's door fell off his old Chevy. Instead of starring third-generation brothers Walter III, Tim, and Mark, the new ones put the spotlight on fourth-generation sisters Caitie, Meghan, Maureen, and Colleen. Shop the Sofa Sale. "It was kind of ingrained in us," Caitie Smithe said. Bloomingdale Plaza. 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 business's namesakeand the sisters' uncles, Mark and Tim. 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. As Caitie puts it, Theres no reason you cant use an entertainment console as a buffet in the dining room.. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. 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. Lewis teamed up with Smithes merchandising team to create in-store vignettes, and also featured the store on his show. 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. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. "But these are guys who you'd go to dinner with, you know? Walter E. Smithe III, is the President of family owned and operated Walter E. Smithe Furniture + Design. 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. Pinterest. She has a few ideas for how to add a little spring to your home. 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. As the oldest sibling, Maureen was the first to officially join Walter E. Smithe in a professional capacity in 2004. 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. You have this sense of passion and responsibility for it. "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. 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. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe . 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. Caitie was a manufacturers' representative before becoming a stay-at-home mom. 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. That collective experience comes in handy ahead of any major decisions. The implication was that he was doing/looking at something inappropriate. Were a Chicago company that was given national exposure. 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. 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. Walter E. Smithe Jr's death was announced Thursday on the company's Facebook page. Warehouse workers go over every piece of inventory awaiting delivery with a fine-tooth comb, looking for things an untrained eye would never see. Home Cities Chicago Meet the Smithe Sisters, The new generation is shaking things up at furniture icon Walter E. Smithe. The brothers are recognized on the street, in grocery stores and coffee shops ("I got a free Starbucks latte once," Tim says). / CBS Chicago. We connect families with the best local resources, advice, stories, things to do with kids and much more. Nah, I know a few of them. 22 miles. Take dress up and glam up a notch with a self-care day at this luxurious spa for kids and tweens. Sibling revelry; Their offbeat commercials have made the Smithe brothers cult heroes. "By being so close and meeting so regularly, we're all in the loop with what's happening in each other's sphere. In fact, none of the sisters seriously considered having a career in the company, founded by their great-grandfather in 1945. It takes work and sacrifice.. Tim, 41, is the vice president of sales; he and his wife have four kids and live in Winnetka. And youll see each of my sisters doing what they do best.. Here, get to know this powerhouse quartet. When the boys took over from their father, there were about a half-dozen stores. So much misogyny in these comments, their commercials have always been cheesy and annoying. October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM Thats fast, but it shows what we can do. The Itasca-based company has 10 locations across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, where the sisters ply their fourth-generation talents. The inky accents create a sleek statement against the white walls and lend a streamlined look to the space. I love the attention I get as a local celebrity," Mark says. Create Comparison. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. Determine whether Walter E. Smithe Furniture grew or shrank during the last recession. "It was kind of a neat way to kick off our involvement in the business as a group.". 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. And Amy is a singer and songwriter. 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. We simply never had that conversation, Meghan says. "And they've been able to personalize a retail chain through the use of the brothers. Shop the clearance. "We were kind of like dorks, geeks, growing up," Mark says. Chicagoans came to know and appreciate the three Smithe brothers who starred for years in quirky TV commercials touting their family-run furniture company. If you are ready to get grown-up furniture, this place has a very nice selection, with helpful staff who can guide you toward the proper colors, scale, and what looks nice together. No surprise why the quality is so crap. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. (Last year, Walter E. Smithe resurrected the 1950s-era cartoon that was a holiday staple on WGN-Ch. "KFC dances to beat of familiar drummers". "As needs within the business grew, positions opened up organically," Maureen said. To see these serious, stuffy guys laughing and having fun someone yelled out, `You should use that as a commercial. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Then they brought in the wives. (847) 933-1481. 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. ("Did you notice he used the wide-angle lens when he shot your [rear end]?"). He entertained the youngest generation of the family playing banjo and singing folk songs such as "The Rock Island Line," and telling stories of Tiny Tim and the Magic Gumball Machine, his obit said. Its unjust to think that women can somehow balance it all, Colleen adds. "It almost feels like the business is, in a weird way, a member of the family. Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5, based on over 92 reviews left anonymously by employees. Brothers Walt, Tim and Mark Smithe -- the faces of Walter E. Smithe Furniture -- seem to have hit on something with their ubiquitous ads. Billy Corgan and Walter E. Smithe Wrestling. He also hosted telethons. 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. As mothers, all of us have cleaned up a childs spill, or even their vomit, from our furniture, Colleen jokes. Hope, once a Smithe designer and store manager, now lives in Colorado with her husband. Their advertising is creative, it's timely and it's interesting, so people remember it and they like it.". To their delight, the reaction to that initial campaign was primarily positive, as has been the case for every commercial they've produced since. 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. Contact Information. "And of course this summer's blockbuster is supposed to be `Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.' 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. Kneen & Co. (399 W. Fullerton Pkwy., Ste. So I'm speaking, and they're half listening, you know. 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. The girls got the bedrooms; the three boys shared a room in the basement. From 5 to 8 p.m., select retailers will offer refreshments while highlighting unique designers.