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They've relaunched catalogs showcasing their furniture in fully designed spaces. The company gained national exposure from Lewis' collection, and each sister was able to shine in her own specialty. 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. It was like the empire jingle. ("You should keep that hat on for about three weeks. 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. We are sad to announce that on October 9, 2022 we had to say goodbye to Walter E. Smithe Jr. of Chicago, Illinois. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). It stuck in your head. Take dress up and glam up a notch with a self-care day at this luxurious spa for kids and tweens. This style is out there and we need to respond and get it on our floor. Meghan is director of marketing, Caitie is a designer and stylist and Colleen is director of advertising. The business grew in popularity as they approached adulthood, at which point friends would regularly sing the jingle and colleagues would ask about the creative TV ads. No surprise why the quality is so crap. Like most mothers, whether theyre working or staying at home, we do what we can, she says. "The brothers have no acting talent," Tim says. And Amy is a singer and songwriter. "[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". (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). Walter has been known to take furniture for test drives, says Meghan. A few bucks later, the clunker is off to Victory's Bensenville lot. 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. And I thought, `makeup and lighting. Best Outlet Walter E Smithe near Glendale Heights, IL 60139 - Yelp While we still have traditional pieces, our showroom appeals to a number of different lifestyles. Walter E. Smithe Furniture founder, Walter E. Smithe Jr., dies at 86 The Sisters Behind the Walter E. Smithe Furniture Company - DuJour Over the past 76 years, the company has grown to include 10 Chicago area showrooms. 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. Visit Website (opens in new window) Walter E. Smithe. Mark admonished Walt to keep his feet off the furniture. In recent years, Smithe enjoyed his time with extended family. At Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, we are committed to helping our clients love their homes through expert design, quality furnishings, and exemplary service. Colleen Smithe - Director of Advertising - Walter E. Smithe Furniture "As furniture commercials go, what the Smithes are doing is great," he says. Walter E Smithe Daughters - Josephine Goodwin Blogs "It was kind of ingrained in us," Caitie Smithe said. Lewis teamed up with Smithes merchandising team to create in-store vignettes, and also featured the store on his show. Walter Smithe, president of the furniture company, climbs the stairs March 21, 2017, at the Walter E. Smithe furniture store in Oak Brook, alongside his four daughters, Colleen, from left, Caitie, Maureen and Meghan. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. "It was kind of a neat way to kick off our involvement in the business as a group.". 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.. Then he and Thorson meet with his brothers and throw ideas around. Smithe's wife of 64 years was by his side when he passed, and he . "We were kind of like dorks, geeks, growing up," Mark says. Get Eric Clark's email address (e*****@smithe.com) and phone number at RocketReach. Cindy went to college in Iowa and settled there after school. And now with the company's 75th anniversary approaching in August, they're ready to push forward plans to expand and evolve. The girls got the bedrooms; the three boys shared a room in the basement. If you grew up in Chicago, you can probably hum it. The commercials are created in-house. 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. 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. 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. "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. [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). Chicagoans came to know and appreciate the three Smithe brothers who starred for years in quirky TV commercials touting their family-run furniture company. Then the commercial came on. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years. 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. Walter was the first of the third generation to join the family business in 1981 . Since 1945, we have been Chicago's local source for quality furniture and expert design. 20 White Bathroom Design Ideas | HGTV In some of the footage, youll see my dad installing a dimmer or my uncle driving a truck. 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. 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." 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. Smithe Parker leads Walter E. Smithe advertising 'Flipping Out' Where To Get Jeff Lewis' Furniture Collection A family affair: How four sisters are bringing a 75-year-old store into Am I the only one who just thinks he looks like Louis CK? Their advertising is creative, it's timely and it's interesting, so people remember it and they like it.". They look hungry. 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. 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.". We simply never had that conversation, Meghan says. We understand that customers see a certain look on, say, Instagram and they want it replicated in their own home, Colleen says. ". 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.. Oct 2012 - Apr 20152 years 7 months. This initiative calls for all hands on deck. As mothers, all of us have cleaned up a childs spill, or even their vomit, from our furniture, Colleen jokes. Walter E. Smithe also is changing up its ads. Its unjust to think that women can somehow balance it all, Colleen adds. Walter E. Smithe Trade In Sale - YouTube Subscribe to one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, and opportunities in Chicago. Itasca, IL 60143. Sometimes it does not pay to work with family. Who are these guys? Now its only the wives and zero about the furniture. The first change I noticed was it became all about the sons. "And I'd be yelling, `I can't breathe! 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. His sons, Walter, Tim, and Mark, joined the company in the 1970s and 1980s. Bloomingdale Plaza. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe (smithe.com) siblings-on-a-couch commercials. Meghan was hired in 2013 and now serves as director of sales strategy. "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. walter e smithe. The slogans "You dream it, we build it", or "That's Smithe, with an E" are commonly used. Ask how we can add diversity to your supply chain. In fact, none of the sisters seriously considered having a career in the company, founded by their great-grandfather in 1945. The Smithe sisters have always been close -- and growing up, it wasn't always by choice. The implication was that he was doing/looking at something inappropriate. Walter E. Smithe Jr. died peacefully at age 86, his family said in a prepared statement. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe . That sentiment applies to their lively commercials, too, which frequently feature the sisters chatting on a stylish couch or gathering with family members in a beautifully staged home. Moms of 17 juggle the Chicago-based family business ", Instead they talk about the U2/iTunes takeoff, the brothers' version of "The Apprentice" or the Olympic parody from last year. "Smithes have fun at the old ballpark". We learned so much from these relationships, Colleen says. Its unnerving. But it wasn't long before he approached his youngest daughter with a proposition. But when they finally decided to accept, they knew they needed to come up with a unique and effective way to introduce themselves to the Chicago market as the new faces of Walter E. Smithe. Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Smithe Furniture, dies at 86 ", Says Tim Smithe, "Pop culture is always changing and so are we.". Industry: Home Furniture & Housewares Stores. "The girls have all worked elsewhere before coming back to Smithe," says Walter of his daughters who have had careers ranging from merchandising to advertising. Check out the new collection. Their grandfather, who is in his 80s, remains active in the company, frequently visiting showrooms and making connections with clients. The company makes, sells, and repairs furniture, . They hammer out a script, call in O'Neil and start filming. "We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". Our learning curve has been steep and long, with a lot of challenges, says Colleen, flanked by her sisters at the familys Lincoln Park location, a 10,000-square-foot boutique store. College was a turning point for the sisters, who now call one another their best friends. I'm a brand manager and their commercials make the brand seem like a discount bin. '", "The business steadily increased since we started the commercials," Walt says. Jamie Sotonoff. "An hour and a half. 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. Pinterest. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. My hope is to inspire people to slow down enough to talk with a designer and hopefully buy something.. "You think a huge corporation is going to have pencil pushers and button touchers," says Lynn Hamilton, vice president of the Shirley Hamilton Agency, a Chicago talent agency. 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. "And a woman was there with her daughter, and she nudged her and I heard her say, 'That's the Walter E. Smithe guy.' 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. While a new recession may strike a particular industry, measuring the industry and . officially retires, although he still enjoys visiting showrooms and meeting clients. Their interactions were zany, their dialogue lighthearted, their catchy jingle -- "you dream it, we build it" -- recognizable throughout the region. 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. The new generation of Smithes are featured in the company's new advertising. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. 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. Walter E. Smithe is a family business in every sense of the word, the sisters say. 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. Building upon the Smithe family legacy is a big responsibility, the sisters said, one they've embraced with fervor. As Caitie puts it, Theres no reason you cant use an entertainment console as a buffet in the dining room.. Is anyone else annoyed with the new generation of Walter E Smithe Sibling revelry; Their offbeat commercials have made the Smithe brothers cult heroes. Further confused by the commercials now. 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. 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. So I'm speaking, and they're half listening, you know. Tim, 41, is the vice president of sales; he and his wife have four kids and live in Winnetka. They can really do great things. So, somewhat reluctantly, they let themselves become the public face of Walter E. Smithe Furniture. When the boys took over from their father, there were about a half-dozen stores. 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. What happened to the Walter E Smithe guys? - Cowetaamerican.com Shop now. It also featured an appearance by Dutchie Caray, wife of the late Cubs announcer Harry Caray. Subscribe for free today! Its a tough balance, but I like figuring out the retail puzzle.. 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.. It was founded by Walter Edward Smithe and Bill Shanahan in 1945. 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. One of the first opportunities to test their compatibility was through a partnership with interior designer and TV personality Jeff Lewis. One by one, each sister began working in the family business. As mothers, theyve learned its not only possible, but preferable, to have a functional yet beautiful home. 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. "And there's 10 televisions, all tuned to the same station. "If we'd done that with a large agency, it would have been flying people in from New York and storyboards and approvals along the way," he says. Calkins says that by minimizing production costs and media costs and doing those quick turnarounds, Smithe gets a bigger bang for its advertising buck. Now, the fourth-generation leaders of Walter E. Smithe are learning to balance their busy personal lives with the big responsibility of carrying out the legacy of their family-run business. 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. Tags: Design Controls - Facebook Instant Article, Home & Garden, Interior Design. The first order of business: ditch the longstanding, highly recognizable ad campaign featuring their father and two uncles. I also think, coming from a family business myself, to see how they interact with each other just gives you the feeling that they're good people, that you'd want to do business with those people.". 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. Walter E. Smithe III, is the President of family owned and operated Walter E. Smithe Furniture + Design. A matte black bathtub, vanity mirrors and hardware pop against the airy walls in this modern primary bathroom. 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. 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. 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 . The Smithe sisters are working to expose the brand to a new customer base Photo credit: Robin Subar. Who are the Walter E Smithe daughters? Its very much in line with our desire to offer the most beautiful pieces that are of the highest quality. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design is a family-owned furniture retailer, founded right here in Chicago, back in 1945. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design - Home - Facebook 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. One spot was modeled after Apple's weird commercials. "They go a long way with a limited budget through the use of creativity," he says. Im stunned when people watch one of our makeovers and are surprised that Smithe carries so much of what they like, says Caitie. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_E._Smithe. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Press J to jump to the feed. "They took different career paths," Tim says. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years," Meghan said. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design (Old Orchard) 17 miles. When they get a topic, Smithe says, he tries to figure a way to blend it into an ad. 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. It was a natural fit, she said. "So that drove us, I think, to be successes.". 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. Three years later, she recruited Colleen to become advertising director -- a position she accepted without hesitation. "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. They've spruced up their styles, selling more contemporary pieces among their traditional designs. The inky accents create a sleek statement against the white walls and lend a streamlined look to the space. 1428, hollyhunt.com) has expanded its Great Plains textile offering with the Foreign Affair collection, which has a mix of warm and cool neutrals. The Smithe boys started out in a tiny ranch house in Des Plaines, the children of Walter Jr. and Florence. The 3rd brother, Tim Smithe, retired in 2016. CHICAGO The founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design has died. 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. "KFC dances to beat of familiar drummers". Sisters Take Smithe Spotlight, More High-End Barware, and a Sofa Sale Walter Smithe, president of the furniture company, climbs the stairs March 21, 2017, at the Walter E. Smithe furniture store in Oak Brook, alongside his four daughters, Colleen, from left, Caitie . "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. 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. The 86-year-old patriarch of the Smithe family, Walter Edward Smithe Jr., "died . The founder of well-known Chicago-area furniture company Walter E. Smithe has died, his family announced Wednesday. - 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. William Hageman and Tribune staff reporter. [2] Today, the company has ten showrooms in Illinois and Indiana and is listed by Furniture Today as one of the top one hundred furniture retailers in the United States. Were often building on what we see resonating in the market and what is interesting and beautiful at the moment., Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design is coming off a successful year of strategic partnerships with Bravo TVs Jeff Lewis and interior designer Cynthia Rowley. "We had a common agreement that we had the best furniture in Chicago," Tim says, "but not enough people knew about it.". 74% of employees would recommend working at Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design to a friend and 70% have a positive outlook for the business. Let's go Cubbies! portalId: "6766057", As the fourth generation to run their family-owned Chicago furniture store, Walter. 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. 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. The best commercial -- at least the one viewers relished -- featured this grating kid getting hit in the face with a pie. This is not how you attract a premium buyer or build a premium brand. Find employees, official website, emails, phone numbers, revenue, employee headcount, social accounts, and anything related to Walter E. Smithe Furniture. I'm so annoyed that I won't buy anything from there. She has a few ideas for how to add a little spring to your home. Were a Chicago company that was given national exposure. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. It's pretty surprising they are still playing on these tired sexist tropes in this day and age. "Staying fresh, young . 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. Create Comparison. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design - Yelp It was an organic transition for each of us, says Colleen, the youngest sister. The chemistry among this familial foursome is something parents can only hope for from their children. "I said, `Let's get you guys on camera.'". High School," Walter says. 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. And then fate gently tapped them on their shoulder. Get 5 free searches. For example, Meghan had to miss her sons Valentines Day party at school this year, due to work responsibilities. "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.