"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. For example, Meghan had to miss her sons Valentines Day party at school this year, due to work responsibilities. "[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. And Amy is a singer and songwriter. Watch. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years," Meghan said. Be sure to visit Sawbridge Studios, which will showcase sustainably harvested, live-edge furniture by David Stine. 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.. Itasca, IL 60143. 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. Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Linly Designs, Rieke Office Interiors, 57st Design. 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. officially retires, although he still enjoys visiting showrooms and meeting clients. 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. walter e smithe, furniture stores near me, ballinger vase buy, gold side end table, tall mirror, walter e smithe daughters, furniture . "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 then fate gently tapped them on their shoulder. Opening Day is March 30. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. Reaching a younger demographic and expanding their clientele has required some creativity, the sisters said. We don't take that lightly.". But always start from a place where we love each other and enjoy working together., Between the ages of 10 and 18, former Barrington High School soccer, For Olympian Patrick Gasienica, ski jumping has been a part of his, Dr. Rekha S. Rajan has devoted her personal and professional life to, One of the most prestigious dance companies in the world, The Joffrey, Saint Anne Catholic Community Churchs Project Hope ministry, A night of sequin-studded disco fever, the 5th Annual Hoosier Ball was. Not as long as they keep the commercials clever and topical, O'Neil 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 . Holly Hunt (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Ste. 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. Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up on the Northwest Side in Belmont Central. The two renamed the store Smithe and Shanahan, but Bill Shanahan eventually sold his share to Smithe's brother Charlie. "They were loved," said Colleen Smithe, the youngest daughter of Walter Smithe III. Building upon the Smithe family legacy is a big responsibility, the sisters said, one they've embraced with fervor. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe . 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. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. There's a certain time and simplicity factor, so from the time of the idea to the time we shoot it can be as short as a week.". The store, which has 10 locations in the Chicago area, has been open for nearly 75 years and has faced all the challenges of . "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. 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 inky accents create a sleek statement against the white walls and lend a streamlined look to the space. His signature line: "Linn Burton for certain!". "As needs within the business grew, positions opened up organically," Maureen said. How could the Itasca-based company break the mold and reach a new audience while still carrying its message into a fourth generation? "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. 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 steadily increased since we started the commercials," Walt says. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. Favorite design style: Clean and neutral. It was an organic transition for each of us, says Colleen, the youngest sister. Furniture Stores. This rating has improved by 10% over the last 12 months. Walter E. Smithe Furniture is a company located in Itasca, Illinois, United States. 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. They decided on an ad campaign that would, simply, pitch their product. 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Smithe Furniture and Design, Paddock Publications, Inc. is an Employee-Owned Company. "I was at Dulles Airport in Washington, waiting for a 9:30 flight at night," Mark says. "With a strategy to continue Smithe parodies of relevant topics, really, the future is limitless," he says. An added factor in the commercials' success are the brothers, who come across as regular guys. "And there's 10 televisions, all tuned to the same station. Compare how recession-proof Walter E. Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. Draftfcb. It's pretty surprising they are still playing on these tired sexist tropes in this day and age. The Smithe brothers have been described as "Chicago's most recognizable furniture purveyors", due to their ubiquitous television commercials starring themselves. Caitie Smithe, Designer and Stylist. "The girls have all worked elsewhere before coming back to Smithe," says Walter of his daughters who have had careers ranging from merchandising to advertising. 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. Even their more than 250 employees are treated like family. 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. Cindy went to college in Iowa and settled there after school. To make up for it, she woke up early to make heart-shaped pancakes. The are the Smithe sisters, Meghan, Colleen, Maureen and Caitie. 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. They've spruced up their styles, selling more contemporary pieces among their traditional designs. He also hosted telethons. Then he and Thorson meet with his brothers and throw ideas around. - 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. What she does: I use both sides of my brain: left for all the analytical spreadsheet stuff and right for the creative vision. Most recently, she was at . 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. 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. But now a new generationsisters Meghan, Colleen, Maureen, and Caitie Smitheis shaking things up in a big way. [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). From 5 to 8 p.m., select retailers will offer refreshments while highlighting unique designers. 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. 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. At-a-glance. The Bob's puppet is a far better actor than the Smithe girls though. Meghan is director of marketing, Caitie is a designer and stylist and Colleen is director of advertising. While it may not be usable 365 days a year, the days that your outdoor space are in fact usable should be embraced. 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. walter e smithe furniture inc. We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and. Create Comparison. 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Brothers Walt, Tim and Mark Smithe -- the faces of Walter E. Smithe Furniture -- seem to have hit on something with their ubiquitous ads. The chemistry among this familial foursome is something parents can only hope for from their children. "And they've been able to personalize a retail chain through the use of the brothers. "Instead we did it on the turn of a dime. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design (Old Orchard) 17 miles. We all trickled back in, and it happened really organically, says Meghan of the industrious quartet, who collectively has 17 children. "I said, `Let's get you guys on camera.'". But repeated airings of the ad have made him and his door legendary. For the most part, that relationship translates well in the business world, they say. "They're having a lot of fun. "We're not your parents' furniture company," Caitie said. Sometimes it does not pay to work with family. We see this country chic trend currently happening as a design emergency, says Maureen. 1251 W. Thorndale Ave. Itasca, IL 60143-1149. View a map of participating First Friday locations. I dont think anyone in the furniture industry does advertising well. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. 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. 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. It turned out so well that Tim carried along a copy to a speaking engagement. Subscribe to one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, and opportunities in Chicago. 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. Since 1945 the company has . Find employees, official website, emails, phone numbers, revenue, employee headcount, social accounts, and anything related to Walter E. Smithe Furniture. - Lynn Hauldren: Who? There's a lot of blurred lines, and we have to learn when to defer to each other.". One spot was modeled after Apple's weird commercials. The Smithes: (L-R) Colleen, Meghan, Walter III, Walter Jr., Mark, Caitie, and Maureen. The Smithe sisters have always been close -- and growing up, it wasn't always by choice. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). Their interactions were zany, their dialogue lighthearted, their catchy jingle -- "you dream it, we build it" -- recognizable throughout the region. Walter has been known to take furniture for test drives, says Meghan. "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. "There are still people who ask us, 'Where are the brothers? As Caitie puts it, Theres no reason you cant use an entertainment console as a buffet in the dining room.. We connect families with the best local resources, advice, stories, things to do with kids and much more. / CBS Chicago. The Feldco guy creeps me out more. "It was kind of ingrained in us," Caitie Smithe said. 70 reviews of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design "This is a really good store for when you hit age 40 or so and realize your house still resembles a college dorm. Here, get to know this powerhouse quartet. 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. They got on each other's nerves and learned to talk quickly at the dinner table if they wanted to get a word in. 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. A wake will be held at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home in Park Ridge on Friday, Oct. 21, and a funeral mass will follow on Saturday, Oct. 22, and St. Paul of the Cross Church in Park Ridge. It said he passed away peacef I can't breathe!' 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. In some of the footage, youll see my dad installing a dimmer or my uncle driving a truck. Explore more of the publications in our portfolio here. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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.". 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. 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! Read the rest of the issue. That cartoon of Bob has BDE and you can't deny it. Bloomingdale Plaza. 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. 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. Tim recalls Walt trying to smother him -- repeatedly, apparently -- with a bean bag chair. This initiative calls for all hands on deck. "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. Am I the only one who just thinks he looks like Louis CK? They pointed out how affordable the pieces are. And youll see each of my sisters doing what they do best.. It's not included in a shorter version now airing on TV. Warehouse workers go over every piece of inventory awaiting delivery with a fine-tooth comb, looking for things an untrained eye would never see. To the Smithe sisters, the company has always been a piece of their identity, an integral thread of their childhood. Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. is headquartered in Itasca, IL. 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. Their camaraderie is genuine, and they can easily share ideas and bounce between conversations. "And I'd be yelling, `I can't breathe! Read on to find out more about pelvic floor therapy and how it's growing in popularity among postpartum women. Over the past 76 years, the company has grown to include 10 Chicago area showrooms. They hammer out a script, call in O'Neil and start filming. 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. Chicago's Best Furniture and Expert Design. "And of course this summer's blockbuster is supposed to be `Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.' Rocketreach finds email, phone & social media for 450M+ professionals. [7], Chicagoans have had mixed reactions to the Walter E. Smithe commercials. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Also would somebody please feed them? Tomorrow, Hubbard Woods Design District (Green Bay Rd. CHICAGO (CBS) -- Walter Edward Smithe Jr., the founder of Chicago's Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86. The Empire Carpet Guy, of course. (Last year, Walter E. Smithe resurrected the 1950s-era cartoon that was a holiday staple on WGN-Ch. But the sisters also know they can always turn to the leaders who came before them. 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. Growing up, she and her sisters held various roles at the furniture and design firm, earning their first paychecks and gaining job experience and exploring interests that would later launch their careers. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years. Last year there aas a commercial where the puppet quickly moved to close his laptop when someone came in the office. Over the last 13 years, one by one, Walters daughters have been hired on at Smithe as the jobs became available. 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. So is there a `Wally and the Sofa Factory' in our future?". 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. However, Lewis Lazare, the Chicago Sun-Times' advertising critic, has defended 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. 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 . When the boys took over from their father, there were about a half-dozen stores. Walter E. Smithe is a family business in every sense of the word, the sisters say. The brothers are recognized on the street, in grocery stores and coffee shops ("I got a free Starbucks latte once," Tim says). Its a tough balance, but I like figuring out the retail puzzle.. Visit . Around the same time, Caitie was ready to return to the workforce as a designer and stylist, a skill she had honed early in her career. The four women have been taking on bigger roles at the company and star in its new ad. 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. "Smithes have fun at the old ballpark". Caitie Smithe is aDesigner, Design Coordinator + Stylist atWalter E. Smithe Furniture + Design. 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. 9615 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077. Shop the clearance. "But we've also gotten some really nice feedback from people who are happy to see four working women on their TV.". '", "I was at a gym on a treadmill," Mark says of the first time he caught one of the commercials. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. Mark admonished Walt to keep his feet off the furniture. "They've done a wonderful job building a distinctive brand," says Tim Calkins, a professor of marketing at Northwestern University. 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. The Smithe sisters, all in their thirties, worked in the family business as teens but pursued different career paths in adulthood. While we still have traditional pieces, our showroom appeals to a number of different lifestyles. Edit: I have been informed that they are the daughters, not the wives. 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. 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. Or using a new high-tech application to keep couch fabric truly worry free from childrens spills, everything from spaghetti sauce to Kool-Aid. "We were kind of like dorks, geeks, growing up," Mark 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]. The first order of business: ditch the longstanding, highly recognizable ad campaign featuring their father and two uncles. Others have been parodies of reality television shows, such as The Apprentice and The Bachelor. The new generation of Smithes are featured in the company's new advertising. The 3rd brother, Tim Smithe, retired in 2016. A new collection at Holly Hunt, discounts at EuroFurniture, a First Friday event at Hubbard Woods Design District, and more. Postpartum bladder leaks are common but there's help. Plus, they seem like nice guys. Updating your home theater? "The brothers have no acting talent," Tim says. Edited to add: Looked them up and gee, it's one of the daughters managing the marketing. "As furniture commercials go, what the Smithes are doing is great," he says. A matte black bathtub, vanity mirrors and hardware pop against the airy walls in this modern primary bathroom. Subscribe for free today! As the fourth generation to run their family-owned Chicago furniture store, Walter. They're not egomaniacs. Is she OK? 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. Born in the heart of Chicago, we're a family owned and operated local business since 1945, now four generations strong. In 2002 they brought in director Bill O'Neil to help them. I was probably in elementary school when I would come in to work in the warehouse sweeping for a nickel Colleen says. Mix together different, but complimentary, elements such as woods, metals and stonesand feel free to mix various metals together. 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. She had been a buyer for Abercrombie and Fitch for a few years after college when a job opened up in the Smithe merchandising office. 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. 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. [4], Many of Walter E. Smithe's commercials have been pop culture parodies. That was the extent of his pitchman career. between Scott Ave. and Tower Rd., Winnetka, shophwdd.com) hosts a First Friday event on the North Shore. Assuming your a dude your not supposed to understand the commercials. Their advertising is creative, it's timely and it's interesting, so people remember it and they like it.". Then they brought in the wives. But even as likable as the brothers are, do they run the risk of oversaturation or going to the well too often? My sisters and I represent the viewpoint of our younger clientele, Meghan says. Now its only the wives and zero about the furniture. 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. I gave up sleep and TV, Maureen jokes. Get 5 free searches. }); Chicago Parent is Chicagolands trusted parenting hub since 1984. Oct 2012 - Apr 20152 years 7 months. 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.
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