Nothing will be worse than the commercials they ran the last time the Cicadas were in season. The Chicago native attended Fenwick High School and the University of Notre Dame. October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM 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 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. 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. Unlike their brothers, they chose other careers. "[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". Start shopping. "I think it's time for us to get out of these TV commercials," Walter said. Anyone got a link to the current commercial? Young. Home Cities Chicago Meet the Smithe Sisters, The new generation is shaking things up at furniture icon Walter E. Smithe. I havent seen the Tile Outlet lady in a while!! As they grew into their teens, there were the usual summer jobs -- caddying, yard work, selling ice cream from a motorized three-wheeler. Walter Smithe III and Mark Smithe (the Smithe Brothers) are the sons of Walter Jr, and serve as President and VP/Legal Counsel, respectively. Who are these guys? Falling asleep. I can't breathe!' You could say that the Smithes are a bit obsessed with quality. The campaign was inspired in part by a partnership with designer/house-flipper Jeff Lewis of the Bravo show Flipping Out. Walter Smithe III and his brothers Mark and Tim helped make the furniture store a household name with clever commercials -- a tradition that's continued with Smithe III's four daughters, Colleen . Caitie Smithe, Designer and Stylist. We connect families with the best local resources, advice, stories, things to do with kids and much more. The company offer of a free DVD generated a huge response, and more than 60,000 were given away.). Take dress up and glam up a notch with a self-care day at this luxurious spa for kids and tweens. Now, the Itasca-based furniture and interior design company wants you to get to know the Smithe sisters. Last year there aas a commercial where the puppet quickly moved to close his laptop when someone came in the office. The announcement was merely an early April Fools' Day prank, although the Smithe brothers said they had received about one hundred emails from viewers who were not sure what to think. "But these are guys who you'd go to dinner with, you know? As their father, the company president, has told customers for decades, Life is too short to sit on uncomfortable furniture.. 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. They brought in real clients, worked with real designers and demonstrated each sister's essential role within the business. 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.. 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. "And they've been able to personalize a retail chain through the use of the brothers. - 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. "But we've also gotten some really nice feedback from people who are happy to see four working women on their TV.". The commercials are created in-house. One of my friends used to live near Fullerton and Western, and she would always tell people she lived near Tile Outlet. If you find the right furniture, it will last even through your kids, Colleen says. Currently, there are 3 generations involved in the business: Walter Smithe Jr is retired, but regularly visits the showrooms. His daughters were hesitant at first, questioning whether they were ready for such a responsibility. 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. 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. We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". Who are the Walter E Smithe daughters? They hammer out a script, call in O'Neil and start filming. "So that drove us, I think, to be successes.". "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. But now a new generationsisters Meghan, Colleen, Maureen, and Caitie Smitheis shaking things up in a big way. Sometimes you have to act fast. Like their brothers, the four Smithe sisters were all in the business when they were in high school. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe . His signature line: "Linn Burton for certain!". "It almost feels like the business is, in a weird way, a member of the family. [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]. "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. [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. Some have criticized the spots for underemphasizing Walter E. Smithe's actual furniture products. I love the attention I get as a local celebrity," Mark says. 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. Find locations. 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. "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. How could they ensure the 75-year-old brand would be sustainable for decades to come? "I said, `Let's get you guys on camera.'". Walter E. SMITHE corporate office is located in 1775 W Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, Illinois, 60004, United States and has 382 employees. Spoken like the daughter of a true shop owner, as her father Walter E. Smithe III, president of the eponymous furniture retailer calls himself. Contents. At that age, it was very exciting to come home and brag that we sold maybe hundreds or thousands of dollars in furniture, Meghan recalls. [7], Chicagoans have had mixed reactions to the Walter E. Smithe commercials. Walter was the first of the third generation to join the family business in 1981 . Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 443 were here. 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. 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. 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. The Smithes: (L-R) Colleen, Meghan, Walter III, Walter Jr., Mark, Caitie, and Maureen. The Smithe sisters, all in their thirties, worked in the family business as teens but pursued different career paths in adulthood. 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.". A new collection at Holly Hunt, discounts at EuroFurniture, a First Friday event at Hubbard Woods Design District, and more. Weird. 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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. I always suggest going with whatever color or colors are most pleasing to you, but some big color trends this spring are oranges, pinks, sage green and pastel blue. Further confused by the commercials now. 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. "We're not your parents' furniture company," Caitie said. The founder of well-known Chicago-area furniture company Walter E. Smithe has died, his family announced Wednesday. 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. Edited to add: Looked them up and gee, it's one of the daughters managing the marketing. It said he passed away peacef The Smithe family announced that their patriarch died this past Sunday with his wife of 64 years, Florence Flynn Smithe, by his side. All three attended St. Mary's College in Winona, Minn. Walt got an MBA at Notre Dame, Tim got one at Northwestern, and Mark got a law degree at Loyola. It couldn't have gone more perfectly, Maureen said. Colleen loved being able to point out that her dad and uncles, Mark and Tim, brainstormed and executed the ideas themselves. 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 wants to create a series of similar videos to give customers a behind-the-scenes look at their services and the company. ("You should keep that hat on for about three weeks. 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. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86, his family said. 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. I'm so annoyed that I won't buy anything from there. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. 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 . (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). 1 Early life; 2 Television; 3 Personal Life; 4 References; . Holly Hunt (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Ste. Most recently, she was at . Smithe says that doing everything in-house allows them to be quick on their feet. While we still have traditional pieces, our showroom appeals to a number of different lifestyles. The brothers are recognized on the street, in grocery stores and coffee shops ("I got a free Starbucks latte once," Tim says). Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. It was a natural fit, she said. and runners at CB2 (800 W. North Ave., cb2.com). "In a family business, everyone has to wear all hats at all times," Maureen said. 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. 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. Relevant. Its very much in line with our desire to offer the most beautiful pieces that are of the highest quality. Is she OK? We simply never had that conversation, Meghan says. Postpartum bladder leaks are common but there's help. "As furniture commercials go, what the Smithes are doing is great," he says. The new generation of Smithes are featured in the company's new advertising. If you grew up in Chicago, you can probably hum it. Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up in the Northwest Side's Belmont Central neighborhood. '", "The business steadily increased since we started the commercials," Walt says. 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 . Ask how we can add diversity to your supply chain. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design is a family-owned furniture retailer, founded right here in Chicago, back in 1945. I love incorporating an unexpected element into a room. The implication was that he was doing/looking at something inappropriate. There is no rule book that says they all need to matchmetals always compliment one another. "[7] Maria Coons, a marketing teacher at Harper College, has also defended the advertisements, telling a Daily Herald reporter, "Some people who aren't in that [30 to 60 year old] demographic might consider them dorky, but for their target market, they're not. Walter E. Smithe Jr. Obituary. Meghan was hired in 2013 and now serves as director of sales strategy. That's a galaxy away from the current "Star Wars" parody. It's not included in a shorter version now airing on TV. Our dad always put an emphasis on hard work, and it stuck with us.. Compare how recession-proof Walter E. Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. For the most part, that relationship translates well in the business world, they say. It was an organic transition for each of us, says Colleen, the youngest sister. To the Smithe sisters, the company has always been a piece of their identity, an integral thread of their childhood. This article originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Chicago Parent. (847) 933-1481. 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 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. 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. It worked really well for a long time, but post-recession, we saw peoples sensibilities had changed, says Meghan. 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. He cites the U2 music video takeoff. Find employees, official website, emails, phone numbers, revenue, employee headcount, social accounts, and anything related to Walter E. Smithe Furniture. Trendwise, Caitie says the color gurus at Pantone were right on when they selected a bright shade of green as Color of the Year. They look hungry. Lewis Lazare. Were a Chicago company that was given national exposure. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years," Meghan said. For instance, finding that perfect piece of decorative furniture that creatively doubles as a toy box for kids games, toys and video devices. 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. You may also light a candle in honor of Walter E. Smithe Jr. or send a beautiful flower arrangement to the funeral . "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. Dont burden yourself with the boredom of a matching wood set. This style is out there and we need to respond and get it on our floor. Or using a new high-tech application to keep couch fabric truly worry free from childrens spills, everything from spaghetti sauce to Kool-Aid. In fact, none of the sisters seriously considered having a career in the company, founded by their great-grandfather in 1945. This has been our priority since we first began serving the Chicago area back in 1945. Getting the Smithes in front of the camera wasn't easy. Since 1945, we have been Chicago's local source for quality furniture and expert design. So much misogyny in these comments, their commercials have always been cheesy and annoying. For people who are in their 40s and have families, that's how brothers act around each other when they get together. [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). 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. 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. As the fourth generation to run their family-owned Chicago furniture store, Walter. "It was kind of a neat way to kick off our involvement in the business as a group.". We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and stage of life. Additional partnerships with the likes of Cynthia Rowley and Ellen Degeneres have exposed the company to a new customer base. 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. That was the extent of his pitchman career. The 86-year-old patriarch of the Smithe family, Walter Edward Smithe Jr., "died . "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.". Nah, I know a few of them. He began working in the . "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. 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. Explore. Walter E. Smithe also is changing up its ads. 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. 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. Walter e smithe daughters. The slogans "You dream it, we build it", or "That's Smithe, with an E" are commonly used. We dont always agree on things, Colleen says. "They're having a lot of fun. My sisters and I represent the viewpoint of our younger clientele, Meghan says. In the 1970s Walter left Smithe and Shanahan (His brothers remained with the original company) to start his own company - Walter E. Smithe. 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. And Mark, 40, is Smithe's general counsel; he and his partner live in Lincoln Park with Petey, a 4-year-old bulldog. formId: "acc781a7-d0b4-433d-bc7f-c5bac12f3766" The fourth generation of Smithe leadership is hoping that this young, fresh approach to advertising and marketing will resonate with a consumer base that hasnt yet shopped with Smithe before. The original simple jingle and slogan was perfect. Reaching a younger demographic and expanding their clientele has required some creativity, the sisters said. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_E._Smithe. "People really did love seeing them on their TVs.". In family businesses, thats the only way to ensure a companys continued success. Today, Maureen is a buyer, Meghan is the director of marketing, Caitie is a designer and assists the merchandising team, and Colleen is the director of advertising. They pointed out how affordable the pieces are. But it wasn't long before he approached his youngest daughter with a proposition. Its no longer that way.. Smithe then went into the computer industry working for General Electric and IBM in 1967, according to his obit. Lewis Lazare. 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. I'm a brand manager and their commercials make the brand seem like a discount bin. 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. ("Did you notice he used the wide-angle lens when he shot your [rear end]?"). So is there a `Wally and the Sofa Factory' in our future?". Tim, 41, is the vice president of sales; he and his wife have four kids and live in Winnetka. There's a preconceived notion that furniture stores are stuffy and tired, run by men in suits and catering to older generations. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. His sons, Walter, Tim, and Mark, joined the company in the 1970s and 1980s. The company makes, sells, and repairs furniture, . The boys' first ventures into the working world included Walt's daily paper route -- 70 Tribunes, three or four Sun-Times and a couple of Wall Street Journals -- that Tim helped him with ("I got 1 cent per paper, and I'd give Tim 10 cents for helping me"), and collecting beer cans that they resold at a Park Ridge flea market. Be sure to visit Sawbridge Studios, which will showcase sustainably harvested, live-edge furniture by David Stine. The Smithes stand out because they're doing silly things. The Bob's puppet is a far better actor than the Smithe girls though. Sibling revelry; Their offbeat commercials have made the Smithe brothers cult heroes. - 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!".

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