For people who are in their 40s and have families, that's how brothers act around each other when they get together. There is nothing like a day spent soaking up the sun and a good book or an evening with friends and good food and drinks under the stars. I gave up sleep and TV, Maureen jokes. Getting the Smithes in front of the camera wasn't easy. Chicago Furniture | Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design | Meet the Smithes walter e smithe. It was an organic transition for each of us, says Colleen, the youngest sister. Lewis Lazare. Determine whether Walter E. Smithe Furniture grew or shrank during the last recession. 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. Caitie Smithe is aDesigner, Design Coordinator + Stylist atWalter E. Smithe Furniture + Design. Nothing is left unchanged, Meghan notes. Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. Corporate Profile - Winmo "We're kind of strategically positioned in different departments," Meghan said. 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. Today. "An hour and a half. Walter was the first of the third generation to join the family business in 1981 . Colleen Smithe, Director of Advertising Born in the heart of Chicago, we're a family owned and operated local business since 1945, now four generations strong. And now with the company's 75th anniversary approaching in August, they're ready to push forward plans to expand and evolve. . This led to the development of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. Walter E. Smithe and Bill Shanahan founded the store anticipating a booming economy in the wake of World War II. They hammer out a script, call in O'Neil and start filming. 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. 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. [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. Working at Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design | Glassdoor 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. Their camaraderie is genuine, and they can easily share ideas and bounce between conversations. First there were the brothers. Now the Walter E. Smithe - Pinterest 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. 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.. "And they've been able to personalize a retail chain through the use of the brothers. Its unjust to think that women can somehow balance it all, Colleen adds. Find locations. 'Flipping Out' Where To Get Jeff Lewis' Furniture Collection Currently, there are 3 generations involved in the business: Walter Smithe Jr is retired, but regularly visits the showrooms. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. 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. The four women have been taking on bigger roles at the company and star in its new ad. I think people felt sorry for me, assuming that I wasnt getting any sleep and having to come to work every day, says Maureen. Draftfcb. 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. Smithe guy Walt actually Walter Smithe III 45 is president and general manager of the. My sisters and I loved being a part of it.. 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. Three generations are involved in the family-run Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design, including Walter Smithe Jr. (far right); his sons Walter III (far left) and Mark; and his four granddaughters, from left, Maureen, Caitie, Colleen and Meghan. As they grew into their teens, there were the usual summer jobs -- caddying, yard work, selling ice cream from a motorized three-wheeler. The Empire Carpet Guy, of course. 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. Favorite design style: Clean and neutral. "Some dabbled and moved on and others just weren't interested.". 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 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 . 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. Meghan and Colleen spent several years working at advertising agencies in Chicago. Our dad always put an emphasis on hard work, and it stuck with us.. So I'm speaking, and they're half listening, you know. "We're dreamers and we have big ideas," Meghan said. 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. The company made its website easier to use and more modern-looking. 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. 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. She has a few ideas for how to add a little spring to your home. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design (Old Orchard) 17 miles. "Smithes have fun at the old ballpark". The Smithe family announced that their patriarch died this past Sunday with his wife of 64 years, Florence Flynn Smithe, by his side. Walter E. Smithe Jr., head of family furniture dynasty, dead at 86 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.". "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. Walt and Tim mocked Mark's new haircut. The Chicago native attended Fenwick High School and the University of Notre Dame. 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. It stuck in your head. His sons, Walter, Tim, and Mark, joined the company in the 1970s and 1980s. 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. 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 . Caitie was a manufacturers' representative before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Hauldren -- an advertising copywriter who created the character -- first appeared in the ads in 1973. Sometimes it does not pay to work with family. 9's "Garfield Goose" and "Ray Rayner" shows. walter e smithe furniture & design. Bringing new and various textures into a room can take it from plain and lacking in interest to exciting and memorable. We've got the radar out for that," Tim Smithe says. At-a-glance. I dont think anyone in the furniture industry does advertising well. 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. [6], One of Walter E. Smithe's most discussed commercials aired in late March 2006. While a new recession may strike a particular industry, measuring the industry and . October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM Since 1945 the company has . "I was invited to speak to 300-some designers in Oak Brook," he says. The first order of business: ditch the longstanding, highly recognizable ad campaign featuring their father and two uncles. Sometimes you have to act fast. Zajdel was a driver for Victory when he made the commercial a quarter-century ago. Nothing will be worse than the commercials they ran the last time the Cicadas were in season. 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. 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. Sisters Take Smithe Spotlight, More High-End Barware, and a Sofa Sale The Walter E. Smithe furniture jingle "you dream it, we build it" has been a longtime fixture in the firm's television ads, just as the Smithe brothers themselves have been. Meet The Walter E. Smithe Furniture Sisters - Luxe - Design What The Walter E. Smithe Daughters Do . }); Chicago Parent is Chicagolands trusted parenting hub since 1984. Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design Reviews - Glassdoor Postpartum bladder leaks are common but there's help. Smithe says that doing everything in-house allows them to be quick on their feet. Take dress up and glam up a notch with a self-care day at this luxurious spa for kids and tweens. William Hageman and Tribune staff reporter. There is no rule book that says they all need to matchmetals always compliment one another. "With a strategy to continue Smithe parodies of relevant topics, really, the future is limitless," he says. His line was, `If you can talk you can breathe.'". It's not included in a shorter version now airing on TV. WALTER E. SMITHE FURNITURE Revenue, Growth & Competitor Profile Sisters Take Smithe Spotlight, More High-End Barware, and a Sofa Sale, 2020 Chicago magazine / A Chicago Tribune Media Group website, map of participating First Friday locations, Design Controls - Facebook Instant Article. "That was the best part," she said. But they do have a business. "Staying fresh, young . Explore more of the publications in our portfolio here. Holly Hunt (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Ste. It's fun to be part of Chicago in that way.". (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). One by one, each sister began working in the family business. 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 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. 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. Its very much in line with our desire to offer the most beautiful pieces that are of the highest quality. ("Did you notice he used the wide-angle lens when he shot your [rear end]?"). Chicago, IL. He NEVER blinks. Walter e smithe daughters. 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 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. 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. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years. And they're not showbiz types. 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. Shop the label. When the boys took over from their father, there were about a half-dozen stores. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe (smithe.com) siblings-on-a-couch commercials. I'm so annoyed that I won't buy anything from there. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. 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. It said he passed away peacef Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Were not trying to portray an image that working mothers can pull off everything without something falling through, Maureen says candidly. This article originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Chicago Parent. The sisters can measure the span of their careers by their childrens ages and development, so they clearly understand what its like to worry about furniture at the mercy of young, messy children. I'm a brand manager and their commercials make the brand seem like a discount bin. It couldn't have gone more perfectly, Maureen said. Contact Information. Smithe Parker leads Walter E. Smithe advertising USA. We don't take that lightly.". 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. ", Instead they talk about the U2/iTunes takeoff, the brothers' version of "The Apprentice" or the Olympic parody from last year. Young. Our lives can be overrun with technology, commitments and schedules. Warehouse workers go over every piece of inventory awaiting delivery with a fine-tooth comb, looking for things an untrained eye would never see. Spoken like the daughter of a true shop owner, as her father Walter E. Smithe III, president of the eponymous furniture retailer calls himself. Unlike their brothers, they chose other careers. Be sure to visit Sawbridge Studios, which will showcase sustainably harvested, live-edge furniture by David Stine. Tomorrow, Hubbard Woods Design District (Green Bay Rd. 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. This rating has improved by 10% over the last 12 months. They pointed out how affordable the pieces are. However, Lewis Lazare, the Chicago Sun-Times' advertising critic, has defended the commercials. For the most part, that relationship translates well in the business world, they say. "As needs within the business grew, positions opened up organically," Maureen said. Please enter valid email address to continue. Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design. "They were loved," said Colleen Smithe, the youngest daughter of Walter Smithe III. That's a galaxy away from the current "Star Wars" parody. 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. 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. To the Smithe sisters, the company has always been a piece of their identity, an integral thread of their childhood. Am I the only one who just thinks he looks like Louis CK? A new book offers a primer on how to spot, seize, and exploit and create lucky breaks More, Two new must-visit hotels from Austin to Houston More, Shop Patek Philippe timepieces, Oiya bracelets and a Miami-based skincare brand More, Plan a day of relaxation at Pressed Roots and The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas More, Raise a glass to our favorite new French-inspired bistros, charming piano bars and bold Italian eateries in Manhattan More, From shoes to handbags, here are the new boutiques to visit in New York City More, The best-selling author, entrepreneur and global philanthropist continues a push with Feeding America to provide 1 billion meals More, Were Over The Moon About This New Travel Registry, 2022 Holiday Gift Guide: The Best Edible Presents, Room Request! We get that question all the time, and that was to be expected," Colleen said. Walter has been known to take furniture for test drives, says Meghan. 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." Plus, they seem like nice guys. Shop now. Anyone got a link to the current commercial? Ellen is very serious about design and had a definite voice in what this modern-rustic-meets-farmhouse collection would be. The Sisters Behind the Walter E. Smithe Furniture Company - DuJour Compare how recession-proof Walter E Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. "I was at Dulles Airport in Washington, waiting for a 9:30 flight at night," Mark says. 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. "That is the top priority for the four of us," Meghan Smithe said. 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. While it may not be usable 365 days a year, the days that your outdoor space are in fact usable should be embraced. For example - my favorite large upholstered dining chairs are under $200. 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. 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. What happened to the Walter E Smithe guys? - Cowetaamerican.com This began a long series of lighthearted television commercials, which became increasingly elaborate over the next few years. 9615 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077. Furniture Stores. "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. An added factor in the commercials' success are the brothers, who come across as regular guys. Meghan was hired in 2013 and now serves as director of sales strategy. As their father, the company president, has told customers for decades, Life is too short to sit on uncomfortable furniture.. You want it to succeed and do well.". No surprise why the quality is so crap. Today, they help oversee 10 showrooms, the warehouse and headquarters, working together (generally) perfectly. 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. That was the extent of his pitchman career. View info about Walter E. Smithe Furniture (smithe.com). While we still have traditional pieces, our showroom appeals to a number of different lifestyles. His four daughtersMaureen Megan Clarke Caitie Jisa and Colleen Parkerare now the new faces of this historic Chicago brand a spot he and his brothers held for decades. "It's 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. Press J to jump to the feed. Give yourself time to just be in a comfortable and beautiful outdoor space. It was a natural fit, she said. officially retires, although he still enjoys visiting showrooms and meeting clients. Colleen Smithe - Director of Advertising - Walter E. Smithe Furniture Their dad, the company's president, continued filming his signature ads with his brother, Mark, for a short period of time, Colleen said. Happy Hour With Jeff Lewis + Walter E. Smithe - fountainof30.com Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design - Yelp 22 miles. That collective experience comes in handy ahead of any major decisions. My hope is to inspire people to slow down enough to talk with a designer and hopefully buy something.. While they took breaks from the biz to make their own way after college, each came back when the right positions opened up. Walter E. SMITHE corporate office is located in 1775 W Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, Illinois, 60004, United States and has 382 employees. Even with little ones underfoot, the Smithe sisters make balancing their family furniture business and their growing broods look effortless. As the fourth generation to run their family-owned Chicago furniture store, Walter. Sibling revelry - Chicago Tribune But I never forget that these are my sisters and I completely respect them. "And a woman was there with her daughter, and she nudged her and I heard her say, 'That's the Walter E. Smithe guy.' Some have criticized the spots for underemphasizing Walter E. Smithe's actual furniture products. Who are the Walter E Smithe daughters? 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. Luxury Hotels, Travel, Dining, Lifestyle - Haute Living Pinterest. As mothers, theyve learned its not only possible, but preferable, to have a functional yet beautiful home. Through March 16, enjoy savings of up to 20 percent on select rugs (hopscotch, anyone?) We all trickled back in, and it happened really organically, says Meghan of the industrious quartet, who collectively has 17 children. I presented my ideas for this two weeks ago and it will be out on the floor in three weeks. Relevant. 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. Walter E. Smithe Near You in Vernon Hills, Illinois - furniture 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 . In fact, none of the sisters seriously considered having a career in the company, founded by their great-grandfather in 1945. "They've done a wonderful job building a distinctive brand," says Tim Calkins, a professor of marketing at Northwestern University. Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Linly Designs, Rieke Office Interiors, 57st Design. At Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, we are committed to helping our clients love their homes through expert design, quality furnishings, and exemplary service. We feel like we can now speak to the multitude of generations who shop with us, she says. - 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. They decided on an ad campaign that would, simply, pitch their product. 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.
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