They've relaunched catalogs showcasing their furniture in fully designed spaces. [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. My sisters and I represent the viewpoint of our younger clientele, Meghan says. There is no rule book that says they all need to matchmetals always compliment one another. and runners at CB2 (800 W. North Ave., cb2.com). Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up in the Northwest Side's Belmont Central neighborhood. "They were loved," said Colleen Smithe, the youngest daughter of Walter Smithe III. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86, his family said. It was like the empire jingle. 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. The Smithe boys started out in a tiny ranch house in Des Plaines, the children of Walter Jr. and Florence. This began a long series of lighthearted television commercials, which became increasingly elaborate over the next few years. 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. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. While they took breaks from the biz to make their own way after college, each came back when the right positions opened up. "And I'd be yelling, `I can't breathe! Further confused by the commercials now. Were often building on what we see resonating in the market and what is interesting and beautiful at the moment., Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design is coming off a successful year of strategic partnerships with Bravo TVs Jeff Lewis and interior designer Cynthia Rowley. 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. Assuming your a dude your not supposed to understand the commercials. While we still have traditional pieces, our showroom appeals to a number of different lifestyles. "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. Haute Living is a network of luxury publications with bimonthly regional editions in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco. . "In a family business, everyone has to wear all hats at all times," Maureen said. And I thought, `makeup and lighting. I'm a brand manager and their commercials make the brand seem like a discount bin. 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. Kneen & Co. (399 W. Fullerton Pkwy., Ste. At Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, we are committed to helping our clients love their homes through expert design, quality furnishings, and exemplary service. Shop the label. 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. To make up for it, she woke up early to make heart-shaped pancakes. 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. Am I the only one who just thinks he looks like Louis CK? Business Profile for Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca. Walter has been known to take furniture for test drives, says Meghan. 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", Instead they talk about the U2/iTunes takeoff, the brothers' version of "The Apprentice" or the Olympic parody from last year. 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. [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]. We dont always agree on things, Colleen says. Walter E. Smithe Jr. died peacefully at age 86, his family said in a prepared statement. "We had a common agreement that we had the best furniture in Chicago," Tim says, "but not enough people knew about it.". Bloomingdale Plaza. The brothers are recognized on the street, in grocery stores and coffee shops ("I got a free Starbucks latte once," Tim says). '", "The business steadily increased since we started the commercials," Walt says. But now a new generationsisters Meghan, Colleen, Maureen, and Caitie . His signature line: "Linn Burton for certain!". Visit . '", "I was at a gym on a treadmill," Mark says of the first time he caught one of the commercials. Walter E. SMITHE corporate office is located in 1775 W Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, Illinois, 60004, United States and has 382 employees. 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. Timothy Smithe Jr. (m. 2013-2018) Kyla Lynn McCarthy (born October 8, 1986) is the daughter of politician and former Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy. Shop the Sofa Sale. I gave up sleep and TV, Maureen jokes. Even with little ones underfoot, the Smithe sisters make balancing their family furniture business and their growing broods look effortless. She is a celebrity who is genuinely interested in how her furniture will do and be perceived, Maureen says. "And they've been able to personalize a retail chain through the use of the brothers. 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. Now, a lot more people know about us than knew a few years ago.". Her sisters had fallen into their own specialties and were pursuing different paths at the time. ("Did you notice he used the wide-angle lens when he shot your [rear end]?"). Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. is headquartered in Itasca, IL. Favorite design style: Clean and neutral. "Instead we did it on the turn of a dime. 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. Three years later, she recruited Colleen to become advertising director -- a position she accepted without hesitation. A few bucks later, the clunker is off to Victory's Bensenville lot. Tim, 41, is the vice president of sales; he and his wife have four kids and live in Winnetka. 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. Weird. We've got the radar out for that," Tim Smithe says. The are the Smithe sisters, Meghan, Colleen, Maureen and Caitie. One of the first opportunities to test their compatibility was through a partnership with interior designer and TV personality Jeff Lewis. 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. In one of their most memorable ads, the four women get into a food fight -- spaghetti and red wine included -- and seemingly destroy a bright white couch, which is then scrubbed clean. "It's always positive, and it's nice to be part of it. Be sure to visit Sawbridge Studios, which will showcase sustainably harvested, live-edge furniture by David Stine. We can be real nimble when we're this tight and this spread across the business.". Receive a 20 percent discount on sofas, love seats, sectionals, chaises, and more at Cassona (5241 N. Clark St., cassona.com) through March 13. Jamie Sotonoff. I love incorporating an unexpected element into a room. View info about Walter E. Smithe Furniture (smithe.com). 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. 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. 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 . Lewis Lazare. 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.". "And there's 10 televisions, all tuned to the same station. This is not how you attract a premium buyer or build a premium brand. We learned so much from these relationships, Colleen says. Were really excited about this program, explains Meghan. We feel like we can now speak to the multitude of generations who shop with us, she says. The commercial included the tagline "Change the Name, Change the Luck", a reference to the Cubs' decades-long struggle to reach the World Series. Also would somebody please feed them? "It's a big responsibility. Chicago Parent, as a Zoe Communications Group company, is certified as a Womens Business Enterprise by the Womens Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nations largest third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women. As they grew into their teens, there were the usual summer jobs -- caddying, yard work, selling ice cream from a motorized three-wheeler. 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. We simply never had that conversation, Meghan says. 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. And yet, as they went off to college and moved into the next phase of life, they were never expected to someday return full time. 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. Their camaraderie is genuine, and they can easily share ideas and bounce between conversations. Sometimes it does not pay to work with family. From 5 to 8 p.m., select retailers will offer refreshments while highlighting unique designers. Rocketreach finds email, phone & social media for 450M+ professionals. They can really do great things. It said he passed away peacef Determine whether Walter E. Smithe Furniture grew or shrank during the last recession. Building upon the Smithe family legacy is a big responsibility, the sisters said, one they've embraced with fervor. Spoken like the daughter of a true "shop owner," as her father Walter E. Smithe III, president of the eponymous furniture retailer calls himself. Here, get to know this powerhouse quartet. 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. Personally, I dont want to stare at ugly furniture for all those years, Meghan says. Pinterest. In fact, none of the sisters seriously considered having a career in the company, founded by their great-grandfather in 1945. When they get a topic, Smithe says, he tries to figure a way to blend it into an ad. "Smithes have fun at the old ballpark". Last year there aas a commercial where the puppet quickly moved to close his laptop when someone came in the office. In 2002 they brought in director Bill O'Neil to help them. Hauldren -- an advertising copywriter who created the character -- first appeared in the ads in 1973. 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! Edited to add: Looked them up and gee, it's one of the daughters managing the marketing. 1 Early life; 2 Television; 3 Personal Life; 4 References; . 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. He cites the U2 music video takeoff. They've spruced up their styles, selling more contemporary pieces among their traditional designs. Were a Chicago company that was given national exposure. 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 . 9615 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077. "The brothers have no acting talent," Tim says. 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. Nah, I know a few of them. Zajdel was a driver for Victory when he made the commercial a quarter-century ago. 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.. Born in the heart of Chicago, we're a family owned and operated local business since 1945, now four generations strong. Plus, they seem like nice guys. So is there a `Wally and the Sofa Factory' in our future?". Only a year apart in age, the lively, fast-talking Smithe sisters consider one another best friends. And they wanted a way to build the brand. Over the last 13 years, one by one, Walters daughters have been hired on at Smithe as the jobs became available. Find locations. 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 . One of my friends used to live near Fullerton and Western, and she would always tell people she lived near Tile Outlet. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). [4][5] In 2008, they filmed and edited a takeoff of the Sex and the City franchise, with the brothers sipping "Smithe-o-politans". 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. The Smithes: (L-R) Colleen, Meghan, Walter III, Walter Jr., Mark, Caitie, and Maureen. 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. This initiative calls for all hands on deck. As mothers, theyve learned its not only possible, but preferable, to have a functional yet beautiful home. The 86-year-old patriarch of the Smithe family, Walter Edward Smithe Jr., "died . 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. For the most part, that relationship translates well in the business world, they say. Walter E. Smithe also is changing up its ads. Im stunned when people watch one of our makeovers and are surprised that Smithe carries so much of what they like, says Caitie. Since 1945 the company has . 1251 W. Thorndale Ave. Itasca, IL 60143-1149. Cindy went to college in Iowa and settled there after school. Chicago magazine newsletters have you covered. It's fun to be part of Chicago in that way.". Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. Read on to find out more about pelvic floor therapy and how it's growing in popularity among postpartum women. Then they brought in the wives. 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'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. An added factor in the commercials' success are the brothers, who come across as regular guys. [6], One of Walter E. Smithe's most discussed commercials aired in late March 2006. Reaching a younger demographic and expanding their clientele has required some creativity, the sisters said. This has been our priority since we first began serving the Chicago area back in 1945. The Smithe boys started out in a tiny ranch house in Des Plaines, the children of Walter Jr. and Florence. He was still spending weekends at Smithe furniture showrooms until recently and he volunteered for many years for Habitat for Humanity, building houses in the U.S. and Central America. High School," Walter says. 9's "Garfield Goose" and "Ray Rayner" shows. I love the attention I get as a local celebrity," Mark 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. Warehouse workers go over every piece of inventory awaiting delivery with a fine-tooth comb, looking for things an untrained eye would never see. Someone really needs a new marketing director/CMO/agency because they do not know what they are doing. "There was some physical violence between the brothers," Walt says with that satisfied look of a big brother who got to dish it out. And Amy is a singer and songwriter. Our dad always put an emphasis on hard work, and it stuck with us.. 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. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. Like most mothers, whether theyre working or staying at home, we do what we can, she says. The first order of business: ditch the longstanding, highly recognizable ad campaign featuring their father and two uncles. They've transitioned into the spotlight. 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. Additional partnerships with the likes of Cynthia Rowley and Ellen Degeneres have exposed the company to a new customer base. "Pam, Bill and I are always on the watch for pop culture. Home Cities Chicago Meet the Smithe Sisters, The new generation is shaking things up at furniture icon Walter E. Smithe. This style is out there and we need to respond and get it on our floor. "They've done a wonderful job building a distinctive brand," says Tim Calkins, a professor of marketing at Northwestern University. The store, which has 10 locations in the Chicago area, has been open for nearly 75 years and has faced all the challenges of . 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. "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. Press J to jump to the feed. 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. How could they ensure the 75-year-old brand would be sustainable for decades to come? Today. But they do have a business. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. 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. Postpartum bladder leaks are common but there's help. Walter was the first of the third generation to join the family business in 1981 . I love the one where they are drinking what looks like Tang out of wine glasses.