There is no true balance for moms in our situation., We cant be everything all at once, Meghan says. 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.. I dont think anyone in the furniture industry does advertising well. "They were loved," said Colleen Smithe, the youngest daughter of Walter Smithe III. But repeated airings of the ad have made him and his door legendary. Young. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86, his family said. We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and. USA. walter e smithe. "An hour and a half. In 2002 they brought in director Bill O'Neil to help them. "We had a common agreement that we had the best furniture in Chicago," Tim says, "but not enough people knew about it.". We feel like we can now speak to the multitude of generations who shop with us, she 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. Its unnerving. As the fourth generation to run their family-owned Chicago furniture store, Walter. The company offer of a free DVD generated a huge response, and more than 60,000 were given away.). Shop the clearance. There have been more than a thousand of them since, and thanks to the magic of cable TV he is now a national celebrity. In recent years, Smithe enjoyed his time with extended family. First published on October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM. For example, Meghan had to miss her sons Valentines Day party at school this year, due to work responsibilities. Chicago's Best Furniture and Expert Design. And they're not showbiz types. between Scott Ave. and Tower Rd., Winnetka, shophwdd.com) hosts a First Friday event on the North Shore. No surprise why the quality is so crap. 1251 W. Thorndale Ave. Itasca, IL 60143-1149. McCarthy was married to grandson of Walter E. Smithe, Timothy Smithe Jr. in Paris, France in June of 2013. . Smithe says that doing everything in-house allows them to be quick on their feet. "The brothers have no acting talent," Tim says. "And of course this summer's blockbuster is supposed to be `Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.' walter e smithe furniture - inc. walter e smithe furniture. As Caitie puts it, Theres no reason you cant use an entertainment console as a buffet in the dining room.. 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. Meghan was hired in 2013 and now serves as director of sales strategy. Take dress up and glam up a notch with a self-care day at this luxurious spa for kids and tweens. Walter e smithe daughters. 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. and became working moms in different industries. Updating your home theater? To their delight, the reaction to that initial campaign was primarily positive, as has been the case for every commercial they've produced since. 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. Now, a lot more people know about us than knew a few years ago.". By last year, though, each had returned to the company their great-grandfather founded. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. "And there's 10 televisions, all tuned to the same station. One by one, each sister began working in the family business. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Holly Hunt (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Ste. The company gained national exposure from Lewis' collection, and each sister was able to shine in her own specialty. walter e smithe, furniture stores near me, ballinger vase buy, gold side end table, tall mirror, walter e smithe daughters, furniture . To the Smithe sisters, the company has always been a piece of their identity, an integral thread of their childhood. Contents. "And they've been able to personalize a retail chain through the use of the brothers. 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. Read on to find out more about pelvic floor therapy and how it's growing in popularity among postpartum women. Its very much in line with our desire to offer the most beautiful pieces that are of the highest quality. But now a new generationsisters Meghan, Colleen, Maureen, and Caitie Smitheis shaking things up in a big way. Watch. My sisters and I represent the viewpoint of our younger clientele, Meghan says. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. Only a year apart in age, the lively, fast-talking Smithe sisters consider one another best friends. Three years later, she recruited Colleen to become advertising director -- a position she accepted without hesitation. Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. Marketing Contacts Contacts (5/9) Name Title State; Walter S. President & Chief Executive Officer . They've transitioned into the spotlight. 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. We take inspiration from the world of interior design to curate customized . Subscribe for free today! "I was invited to speak to 300-some designers in Oak Brook," he says. Explore more of the publications in our portfolio here. Anyone got a link to the current commercial? ". Their interactions were zany, their dialogue lighthearted, their catchy jingle -- "you dream it, we build it" -- recognizable throughout the region. View a map of participating First Friday locations. 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. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. Caitie Smithe is aDesigner, Design Coordinator + Stylist atWalter E. Smithe Furniture + Design. While they took breaks from the biz to make their own way after college, each came back when the right positions opened up. "But these are guys who you'd go to dinner with, you know? 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. 22 miles. Rocketreach finds email, phone & social media for 450M+ professionals. And I thought, `makeup and lighting. '", "I was at a gym on a treadmill," Mark says of the first time he caught one of the commercials. 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. "It almost feels like the business is, in a weird way, a member of the family. But one by one, they followed Maureen's lead and rejoined the family business. 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. Warehouse workers go over every piece of inventory awaiting delivery with a fine-tooth comb, looking for things an untrained eye would never see. (He's now semi-retired, having turned the business over to his sons about 10 years ago.). "With a strategy to continue Smithe parodies of relevant topics, really, the future is limitless," he says. They seem very pretentious I think. ("You should keep that hat on for about three weeks. 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. That cartoon of Bob has BDE and you can't deny it. What The Walter E. Smithe Daughters Do . Draftfcb. Mark admonished Walt to keep his feet off the furniture. Timothy Smithe Jr. (m. 2013-2018) Kyla Lynn McCarthy (born October 8, 1986) is the daughter of politician and former Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy. Walter E. Smithe Jr. died peacefully at age 86, his family said in a prepared statement. Or using a new high-tech application to keep couch fabric truly worry free from childrens spills, everything from spaghetti sauce to Kool-Aid. That was the extent of his pitchman career. You have this sense of passion and responsibility for it. Spoken like the daughter of a true "shop owner," as her father Walter E. Smithe III, president of the eponymous furniture retailer calls himself. officially retires, although he still enjoys visiting showrooms and meeting clients. I was probably in elementary school when I would come in to work in the warehouse sweeping for a nickel Colleen says. 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. Personally, I dont want to stare at ugly furniture for all those years, Meghan says. [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]. 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. Getting the Smithes in front of the camera wasn't easy. The first change I noticed was it became all about the sons. The Smithe boys started out in a tiny ranch house in Des Plaines, the children of Walter Jr. and Florence. Then they tie in pop culture it shows that they're sort of a with-it furniture company. 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. When they get a topic, Smithe says, he tries to figure a way to blend it into an ad. His line was, `If you can talk you can breathe.'". Be sure to visit Sawbridge Studios, which will showcase sustainably harvested, live-edge furniture by David Stine. Over the past 76 years, the company has grown to include 10 Chicago area showrooms. Dazzling Divas Glam Mansion Offers the Ultimate Diva Experience, Family Guide to Attending a Chicago Cubs Game at Wrigley Field, Pelvic Floor Therapy Growing in Popularity for Women, 10 Non-Candy Items for Your Kids Easter Basket. Were really excited about this program, explains Meghan. Press J to jump to the feed. - Lynn Hauldren: Who? Favorite design style: Clean and neutral. Walter E. Smithe and Bill Shanahan founded the store anticipating a booming economy in the wake of World War II. 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. 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. . Pinterest. The answer -- and the sisters' secret to success -- can be summed up in three key words: Fresh. 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. "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. We are sad to announce that on October 9, 2022 we had to say goodbye to Walter E. Smithe Jr. of Chicago, Illinois. Main Telephone (630) 285-8000. There's a preconceived notion that furniture stores are stuffy and tired, run by men in suits and catering to older generations. When Smithe makes a furniture delivery, Its not uncommon for our crews to bring a 25-year-old sofa with a Smithe sticker on it back to this warehouse, Meghan says. The sisters laughed at hearing this family adage, knowing that home furnishing has been woven into the tapestry of their lives. [4], Many of Walter E. Smithe's commercials have been pop culture parodies. Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design. Walter E. Smithe Jr's death was announced Thursday on the company's Facebook page. It stuck in your head. "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. 9615 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077. The brothers are recognized on the street, in grocery stores and coffee shops ("I got a free Starbucks latte once," Tim says). 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. "Smithes have fun at the old ballpark". Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up on the Northwest Side in Belmont Central. "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. How, they wondered, would longtime customers respond to four new female faces on their television screens? Walt and Tim mocked Mark's new haircut. Opening Day is March 30. "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 Empire Carpet Guy, of course. Customers were more concerned with what we were selling versus the people who were selling it, she adds. 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. with Maureen Smithe Brusznicki and Caitie Smithe Jisa at Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. "That is the top priority for the four of us," Meghan Smithe said. formId: "acc781a7-d0b4-433d-bc7f-c5bac12f3766" 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.. 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. "There was some physical violence between the brothers," Walt says with that satisfied look of a big brother who got to dish it out. "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. Her sisters had fallen into their own specialties and were pursuing different paths at the time. Smithe's three sons the Smithe brothers Mark, Tim, and Walter III became executives in the business and were regularly featured in the commercials. "KFC dances to beat of familiar drummers". Shop now. Meghan is director of marketing, Caitie is a designer and stylist and Colleen is director of advertising. Nothing is left unchanged, Meghan notes. Others have been parodies of reality television shows, such as The Apprentice and The Bachelor. (847) 933-1481. Walter E. Smithe Jr. Obituary. The inky accents create a sleek statement against the white walls and lend a streamlined look to the space. Multi Location Business. The slogans "You dream it, we build it", or "That's Smithe, with an E" are commonly used. Furniture Stores. The company makes, sells, and repairs furniture, specializing in custom upholstery, and operates ten showrooms throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. The girls got the bedrooms; the three boys shared a room in the basement. It's not included in a shorter version now airing on TV. 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. Who are these guys? The founder of well-known Chicago-area furniture company Walter E. Smithe has died, his family announced Wednesday. We've got the radar out for that," Tim Smithe says. We all trickled back in, and it happened really organically, says Meghan of the industrious quartet, who collectively has 17 children. "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. and runners at CB2 (800 W. North Ave., cb2.com). Edited to add: Looked them up and gee, it's one of the daughters managing the marketing. 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. For instance, finding that perfect piece of decorative furniture that creatively doubles as a toy box for kids games, toys and video devices. 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. The Chicago native attended Fenwick High School and the University of Notre Dame. Caitie was a manufacturers' representative before becoming a stay-at-home mom. The Smithe sisters have heard it all before, and they've set out to dispel those misperceptions. One of the first opportunities to test their compatibility was through a partnership with interior designer and TV personality Jeff Lewis. We see this country chic trend currently happening as a design emergency, says Maureen. The original simple jingle and slogan was perfect. Chicago magazine newsletters have you covered. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years. For the most part, that relationship translates well in the business world, they say. 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. 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 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. "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. This article originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Chicago Parent. It took the mother of six children a few years to figure out how to juggle her demanding career and busy home life. An added factor in the commercials' success are the brothers, who come across as regular guys. Some have criticized the spots for underemphasizing Walter E. Smithe's actual furniture products. It worked really well for a long time, but post-recession, we saw peoples sensibilities had changed, says Meghan. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Favorite design style: Modern mixed with traditional. 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. While their father and grandfather are still actively involved in the day-to-day, the women have taken over the companys marketing, design, advertising and buying effortsand immediately went about altering brand perceptions. 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. Further confused by the commercials now. Im stunned when people watch one of our makeovers and are surprised that Smithe carries so much of what they like, says Caitie. Thats fast, but it shows what we can do. Plus, they seem like nice guys. And Amy is a singer and songwriter. Then when I plugged it in, the place went up for grabs. E. Smithe sisters Caitie, Colleen, Meghan and Maureen were introduced to the business at a young age. Give yourself time to just be in a comfortable and beautiful outdoor space. How could they ensure the 75-year-old brand would be sustainable for decades to come? We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and stage of life. Since 1945, we have been Chicago's local source for quality furniture and expert design. We had no grand plan.. Walter E. SMITHE corporate office is located in 1775 W Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, Illinois, 60004, United States and has 382 employees. "We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". "It's made us focus on what we do best, which is designing our clients' homes," he said. Through March 16, enjoy savings of up to 20 percent on select rugs (hopscotch, anyone?) The two renamed the store Smithe and Shanahan, but Bill Shanahan eventually sold his share to Smithe's brother Charlie. 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. She sounds annoyed that the spill isn't absorbing, like there's some insurance scheme that hinges on being able to stain this white couch. "We're dreamers and we have big ideas," Meghan said. I presented my ideas for this two weeks ago and it will be out on the floor in three weeks. Not as long as they keep the commercials clever and topical, O'Neil says. "There are still people who ask us, 'Where are the brothers? 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. 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. Chicagoans came to know and appreciate the three Smithe brothers who starred for years in quirky TV commercials touting their family-run furniture company. 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. Whoever said brick-and-mortar is dead hasn't met the Smithe sisters. The commercials were being shot at a studio in Northfield and would result in enough footage for dozens of TV ads to appear over the next six months. Walter E. Smithe Jr. also earned a master's degree in Anthropology at Loyola University Chicago in 1980. I love the attention I get as a local celebrity," Mark says. I love incorporating an unexpected element into a room. While it may not be usable 365 days a year, the days that your outdoor space are in fact usable should be embraced. "They took different career paths," Tim says. Edit: I have been informed that they are the daughters, not the wives. The four women have been taking on bigger roles at the company and star in its new ad. Its a tough balance, but I like figuring out the retail puzzle.. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. Now, the Itasca-based furniture and interior design company wants you to get to know the Smithe sisters. "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.". "So that drove us, I think, to be successes.". Tim, 41, is the vice president of sales; he and his wife have four kids and live in Winnetka. So, somewhat reluctantly, they let themselves become the public face of Walter E. Smithe Furniture. "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. 1 Early life; 2 Television; 3 Personal Life; 4 References; . A matte black bathtub, vanity mirrors and hardware pop against the airy walls in this modern primary bathroom. Find out where to go, what to eat, where to live, and more. But it wasn't long before he approached his youngest daughter with a proposition. The Smithe sisters have always been close -- and growing up, it wasn't always by choice. Relevant. The CBS Chicago team is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSChicago.com. The sisters left for college with a few prized furnishings and a work ethic that became a permanent fixture in their lives. "Staying fresh, young . Sometimes we present to our dad as a united front and other times we need him to be a tie breaker. Read the rest of the issue. 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. 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. 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.. 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 Smithe boys started out in a tiny ranch house in Des Plaines, the children of Walter Jr. and Florence. Check out the new collection. 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 store, which has 10 locations in the Chicago area, has been open for nearly 75 years and has faced all the challenges of . Industry: Home Furniture & Housewares Stores. "What about you and your sisters?". With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. I'm so annoyed that I won't buy anything from there. 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. 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. They're nice folks. Falling asleep. His daughters were hesitant at first, questioning whether they were ready for such a responsibility. "That's F-A-M-E, with an E". Visit . 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. Their dad, the company's president, continued filming his signature ads with his brother, Mark, for a short period of time, Colleen said. Today, they help oversee 10 showrooms, the warehouse and headquarters, working together (generally) perfectly. Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. is headquartered in Itasca, IL. Walter was the first of the third generation to join the family business in 1981 . In fact, none of the sisters seriously considered having a career in the company, founded by their great-grandfather in 1945. "They're having a lot of fun. 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. Sometimes you have to act fast. My wife and I were just talking about this yesterday, we truly hate the Walter E Smithe commercials with the daughters. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe . College was a turning point for the sisters, who now call one another their best friends. - 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!". Walter E. Smithe is a family business in every sense of the word, the sisters say. Now its only the wives and zero about the furniture. 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. We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". "Instead we did it on the turn of a dime. This began a long series of lighthearted television commercials, which became increasingly elaborate over the next few years. "As furniture commercials go, what the Smithes are doing is great," he says. As they grew into their teens, there were the usual summer jobs -- caddying, yard work, selling ice cream from a motorized three-wheeler.
walter e smithe daughters