Hell stand on things, jump on them, do his best to break dining chairs. Nearby is a mangled lamp that will never find its way to a Smithe showroom floor. He also hosted telethons. Or "Hardrock, Coco and Joe." Am I the only one who just thinks he looks like Louis CK? Personally, I dont want to stare at ugly furniture for all those years, Meghan says. and became working moms in different industries. 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. Determine whether Walter E. Smithe Furniture grew or shrank during the last recession. 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. The new generation of Smithes are featured in the company's new advertising. Edited to add: Looked them up and gee, it's one of the daughters managing the marketing. 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. Calkins says that by minimizing production costs and media costs and doing those quick turnarounds, Smithe gets a bigger bang for its advertising buck. He attended the University of Notre Dame and earned a bachelor 's . 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. She has a few ideas for how to add a little spring to your home. It was founded by Walter Edward Smithe and Bill Shanahan in 1945. Sisters Colleen, Meghan, Maureen and Caitie Smithe, from left, say three key words have helped them carry their family-run furniture company into a fourth generation: fresh, young and relevant. Who are these guys? Smithe's wife of 64 years was by his side when he passed, and he . Its unnerving. Our lives can be overrun with technology, commitments and schedules. To see these serious, stuffy guys laughing and having fun someone yelled out, `You should use that as a commercial. 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. Smithe's three sons the Smithe brothers Mark, Tim, and Walter III became executives in the business and were regularly featured in the commercials. "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. One by one, each sister began working in the family business. Start shopping. It was a natural fit, she said. The Smithes stand out because they're doing silly things. 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. 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. Since 1945, we have been Chicago's local source for quality furniture and expert design. Smithe then went into the computer industry working for General Electric and IBM in 1967, according to his obit. getting a penny or nickel for every clearance tag we pulled," says Meghanthe four daughters of Walter Smithe III have . Were really excited about this program, explains Meghan. 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. 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. walter e smithe furniture & design. 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. ", Says Tim Smithe, "Pop culture is always changing and so are we.". Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Linly Designs, Rieke Office Interiors, 57st Design. Last edited on 17 December 2022, at 02:33, https://incfact.com/company/walteresmithefurniture-itasca-il/, Walter E. Smithe gives royal treatment to Royal Manner. Find locations. Tim recalls Walt trying to smother him -- repeatedly, apparently -- with a bean bag chair. I think people felt sorry for me, assuming that I wasnt getting any sleep and having to come to work every day, says Maureen. Three years later, she recruited Colleen to become advertising director -- a position she accepted without hesitation. [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. 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. Visit . So is there a `Wally and the Sofa Factory' in our future?". Visit Website (opens in new window) Walter E. Smithe. 443 were here. Bargain-hunters, take note: Artistica (990 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, artistica.com) has gotten a jumpstart on spring cleaning and updated its clearance selection to include more than 600 items (including custom-painted majolica backsplash panels) discounted by 50 percent. Today. Today, they help oversee 10 showrooms, the warehouse and headquarters, working together (generally) perfectly. Assuming your a dude your not supposed to understand the commercials. 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. ", Instead they talk about the U2/iTunes takeoff, the brothers' version of "The Apprentice" or the Olympic parody from last year. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. And I thought, `makeup and lighting. I gave up sleep and TV, Maureen jokes. We get that question all the time, and that was to be expected," Colleen said. "An hour and a half. I'm so annoyed that I won't buy anything from there. Falling asleep. Explore. They seem very pretentious I think. You may also light a candle in honor of Walter E. Smithe Jr. or send a beautiful flower arrangement to the funeral . . Read on to find out more about pelvic floor therapy and how it's growing in popularity among postpartum women. / CBS Chicago. We don't take that lightly.". Tim offered Walt brotherly support after a just-completed scene. We see this country chic trend currently happening as a design emergency, says Maureen. One of my friends used to live near Fullerton and Western, and she would always tell people she lived near Tile Outlet. Till your hair grows back."). "We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". Draftfcb. "Some dabbled and moved on and others just weren't interested.". At Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, we are committed to helping our clients love their homes through expert design, quality furnishings, and exemplary service. 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. "They're having a lot of fun. First published on October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM. Who are the Walter E Smithe daughters? Compare how recession-proof Walter E. Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. Their dad, the company's president, continued filming his signature ads with his brother, Mark, for a short period of time, Colleen said. And youll see each of my sisters doing what they do best.. /r/Chicago is the place to discuss and stay updated on the daily happenings of Chicago, Illinois, USA. 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. Colleen loved being able to point out that her dad and uncles, Mark and Tim, brainstormed and executed the ideas themselves. "And they've been able to personalize a retail chain through the use of the brothers. The store, which has 10 locations in the Chicago area, has been open for nearly 75 years and has faced all the challenges of . 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. Further confused by the commercials now. For people who are in their 40s and have families, that's how brothers act around each other when they get together. Shop the Sofa Sale. Margie, who used to be a buyer for Smithe, moved to St. Louis with her husband, who worked for Anheuser-Busch's ad agency. In recent years, Smithe enjoyed his time with extended family. 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. 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 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. 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. It was like the empire jingle. Primary Address. What The Walter E. Smithe Daughters Do . Reaching a younger demographic and expanding their clientele has required some creativity, the sisters said. 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. 1E, kneenandco.com) continues to add to its Robbe & Berking assortment with the new Martel Bar collection, which features bar cart staples like handmade silver tumblers and cocktail coupes as well as bottle openers and nutcrackers. 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. "Smithes have fun at the old ballpark". "They took different career paths," Tim says. Receive a 20 percent discount on sofas, love seats, sectionals, chaises, and more at Cassona (5241 N. Clark St., cassona.com) through March 13. 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. Oct 2012 - Apr 20152 years 7 months. 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. '", "I was at a gym on a treadmill," Mark says of the first time he caught one of the commercials. The girls got the bedrooms; the three boys shared a room in the basement. Most recently, she was at . Main Telephone (630) 285-8000. The Chicago native attended Fenwick High School and the University of Notre Dame. 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. "They go a long way with a limited budget through the use of creativity," he says. 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. I presented my ideas for this two weeks ago and it will be out on the floor in three weeks. They look hungry. Then they tie in pop culture it shows that they're sort of a with-it furniture company. USA. The answer -- and the sisters' secret to success -- can be summed up in three key words: Fresh. The inky accents create a sleek statement against the white walls and lend a streamlined look to the space. 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.. Also would somebody please feed them? "Instead we did it on the turn of a dime. Ask how we can add diversity to your supply chain. Since 1945 the company has . "We're dreamers and we have big ideas," Meghan said. There have been more than a thousand of them since, and thanks to the magic of cable TV he is now a national celebrity. Were a Chicago company that was given national exposure. Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up on the Northwest Side in Belmont Central. "By being so close and meeting so regularly, we're all in the loop with what's happening in each other's sphere. And now with the company's 75th anniversary approaching in August, they're ready to push forward plans to expand and evolve. Hotel Mousai Puerto Vallarta, Room Request: Four Seasons Hotel Bogota Casa Medina, New Restaurants and Bars in New York City, Clare V., Mulberry and More New Retail Openings in NYC, Tony Robbins Challenge to Provide 1 Billion Meals Nears its Goal, Get behind-the-scenes pictures on Instagram. "Pam, Bill and I are always on the watch for pop culture. In the 1970s Walter left Smithe and Shanahan (His brothers remained with the original company) to start his own company - Walter E. Smithe. The Smithes: (L-R) Colleen, Meghan, Walter III, Walter Jr., Mark, Caitie, and Maureen. My sisters and I loved being a part of it.. 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.". We had no grand plan.. 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. So much misogyny in these comments, their commercials have always been cheesy and annoying. Only a year apart in age, the lively, fast-talking Smithe sisters consider one another best friends. The Empire Carpet Guy, of course. While we still have traditional pieces, our showroom appeals to a number of different lifestyles. For example - my favorite large upholstered dining chairs are under $200. '", "The business steadily increased since we started the commercials," Walt says. Sisters Colleen, Caitie, Maureen and Meghan Smithe, from left, are breaking the mold as fourth-generation leaders of the 75-year-old Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design. "That was the best part," she said. "I think it's time for us to get out of these TV commercials," Walter said. This led to the development of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. They hammer out a script, call in O'Neil and start filming. Getting the Smithes in front of the camera wasn't easy. It stuck in your head. The sisters left for college with a few prized furnishings and a work ethic that became a permanent fixture in their lives. Updating your home theater? "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.". It's fun to be part of Chicago in that way.". Bloomingdale Plaza. In some of the footage, youll see my dad installing a dimmer or my uncle driving a truck. It couldn't have gone more perfectly, Maureen said. 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.. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. Then he and Thorson meet with his brothers and throw ideas around. The Bob's puppet is a far better actor than the Smithe girls though. "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. Others have been parodies of reality television shows, such as The Apprentice and The Bachelor. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Business Profile for Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca. The CBS Chicago team is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSChicago.com. One of the first opportunities to test their compatibility was through a partnership with interior designer and TV personality Jeff Lewis. Its unjust to think that women can somehow balance it all, Colleen adds. The company offer of a free DVD generated a huge response, and more than 60,000 were given away.). Plus, they seem like nice guys. The company gained national exposure from Lewis' collection, and each sister was able to shine in her own specialty. The Smithe sisters have always been close -- and growing up, it wasn't always by choice. Those early Smithe commercials were straight-forward affairs, with each brother talking about his area of expertise -- Walt discussed the merchandise, Tim the company's designers, and Mark Smithe's delivery system and customer satisfaction -- and, of course, the furniture. Brothers Walt, Tim and Mark Smithe -- the faces of Walter E. Smithe Furniture -- seem to have hit on something with their ubiquitous ads. Caitie Smithe, Designer and Stylist. 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. "KFC dances to beat of familiar drummers". The company made its website easier to use and more modern-looking. It said he passed away peacef Maureen Smithe and Caitie Smithe had the pleasure of working with Chicago's own Mr. FixIt, Lou Manfredini.Such a nice guy and a true Chicagoan! Hope, once a Smithe designer and store manager, now lives in Colorado with her husband. At-a-glance. [6], One of Walter E. Smithe's most discussed commercials aired in late March 2006. It's not included in a shorter version now airing on TV. "And I'd be yelling, `I can't breathe! Walter Smithe, president of the furniture company named for his grandfather, is flanked by daughters, Maureen, left, and Caitie on March 21, 2017, as theywatch his other daughters Colleen, far left, and Meghan play pingpong at the Walter E. Smithe furniture store in Oak Brook. "People really did love seeing them on their TVs.". PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR, When Maureen Smithe returned from maternity leave after giving birth to identical twin daughters last August (children number five and six for those keeping count), she was puzzled by the pained looks she received from some of her colleagues. Sibling revelry; Their offbeat commercials have made the Smithe brothers cult heroes. Find employees, official website, emails, phone numbers, revenue, employee headcount, social accounts, and anything related to Walter E. Smithe Furniture. Is she OK? Meghan was hired in 2013 and now serves as director of sales strategy. 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. Meghan is director of marketing, Caitie is a designer and stylist and Colleen is director of advertising. 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. 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. The campaign was inspired in part by a partnership with designer/house-flipper Jeff Lewis of the Bravo show Flipping Out. While they took breaks from the biz to make their own way after college, each came back when the right positions opened up. If you find the right furniture, it will last even through your kids, Colleen says. Mark admonished Walt to keep his feet off the furniture. While a new recession may strike a particular industry, measuring the industry and . 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. This rating has improved by 10% over the last 12 months. Additional partnerships with the likes of Cynthia Rowley and Ellen Degeneres have exposed the company to a new customer base. walter e smithe furniture inc. 1251 W. Thorndale Ave. Itasca, IL 60143-1149. 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. }); Chicago Parent is Chicagolands trusted parenting hub since 1984. 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. Favorite design style: Cozy and comfortableaka hygge ethos. 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. High School," Walter says. Like their brothers, the four Smithe sisters were all in the business when they were in high school. There is no rule book that says they all need to matchmetals always compliment one another. We can be real nimble when we're this tight and this spread across the business.". with Maureen Smithe Brusznicki and Caitie Smithe Jisa at Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design.