walter e smithe daughters walter e smithe daughters

Meghan can recall her pigtails bouncing as she ran through the Walter E. Smithe warehouse as a young girl, pulling sales tags in exchange for a nickel or dime from her grandfather, Walter Smithe Jr. The Smithe sisters have heard it all before, and they've set out to dispel those misperceptions. Still, the Smithes have had to weather various challenges since joining the company, including the retirement of their uncle, Tim. 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. 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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. When the boys took over from their father, there were about a half-dozen stores. It's pretty surprising they are still playing on these tired sexist tropes in this day and age. It also featured an appearance by Dutchie Caray, wife of the late Cubs announcer Harry Caray. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe (smithe.com) siblings-on-a-couch commercials. It was like the empire jingle. "Pam, Bill and I are always on the watch for pop culture. Subscribe for free 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. By last year, though, each had returned to the company their great-grandfather founded. If you find the right furniture, it will last even through your kids, Colleen says. Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. is headquartered in Itasca, IL. Mark admonished Walt to keep his feet off the furniture. That's why when she and her three sisters -- Maureen, Meghan and Caitie -- were asked a few years ago to transition into the role their father and uncles held for so long, they weren't immediately receptive. Favorite design style: Modern mixed with traditional. However, Lewis Lazare, the Chicago Sun-Times' advertising critic, has defended the commercials. "It's a big responsibility. The slogans "You dream it, we build it", or "That's Smithe, with an E" are commonly used. The company makes, sells, and repairs furniture, specializing in custom upholstery, and operates ten showrooms throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. A few bucks later, the clunker is off to Victory's Bensenville lot. Multi Location Business. There is no rule book that says they all need to matchmetals always compliment one another. The company began in 1945 as Tone Appliances and Furniture, a single store on Belmont Avenue in Chicago. 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. formId: "acc781a7-d0b4-433d-bc7f-c5bac12f3766" The company gained national exposure from Lewis' collection, and each sister was able to shine in her own specialty. October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM "And I'd be yelling, `I can't breathe! Sometimes its the only quiet I get.. 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 businesss namesakeand the sisters uncles, Mark and Tim. The company offer of a free DVD generated a huge response, and more than 60,000 were given away.). Main Telephone (630) 285-8000. ("You should keep that hat on for about three weeks. Caitie Smithe is aDesigner, Design Coordinator + Stylist atWalter E. Smithe Furniture + Design. Its very much in line with our desire to offer the most beautiful pieces that are of the highest quality. Warehouse workers go over every piece of inventory awaiting delivery with a fine-tooth comb, looking for things an untrained eye would never see. Only a year apart in age, the lively, fast-talking Smithe sisters consider one another best friends. Favorite design style: Clean and neutral. 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. Lewis teamed up with Smithes merchandising team to create in-store vignettes, and also featured the store on his show. 9615 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077. This began a long series of lighthearted television commercials, which became increasingly elaborate over the next few years. The sisters laughed at hearing this family adage, knowing that home furnishing has been woven into the tapestry of their lives. ", Says Tim Smithe, "Pop culture is always changing and so are we.". 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. 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. To see these serious, stuffy guys laughing and having fun someone yelled out, `You should use that as a commercial. They can really do great things. The new generation of Smithes are featured in the company's new advertising. Bloomingdale Plaza. Colleen Smithe, Director of Advertising Only a year apart in age, the lively, fast-talking Smithe sisters consider one another best friends. Haute Living is a network of luxury publications with bimonthly regional editions in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco. "There was some physical violence between the brothers," Walt says with that satisfied look of a big brother who got to dish it out. The sisters are making their official debut in a new campaign theyve recently launched called the Smithe Family Makeovers. Fielding countless applications, the Smithes choose a home where they redesign a space and showcase the full range of interior design services and furnishings Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design offers. I'm a brand manager and their commercials make the brand seem like a discount bin. - 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. Shop now. "What about you and your sisters?". Walter E. Smithe Jr. died peacefully at age 86, his family said in a prepared statement. [3], The company has become well known in the Chicago area for its television commercials, which for decades starred the three Smithe brothers, and now star the four Smithe sisters. We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and stage of life. 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. 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. 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. Rocketreach finds email, phone & social media for 450M+ professionals. While they took breaks from the biz to make their own way after college, each came back when the right positions opened up. One spot was modeled after Apple's weird commercials. The company makes, sells, and repairs furniture, . Even with little ones underfoot, the Smithe sisters make balancing their family furniture business and their growing broods look effortless. The original simple jingle and slogan was perfect. Compare how recession-proof Walter E. Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. 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. 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.. Postpartum bladder leaks are common but there's help. So, somewhat reluctantly, they let themselves become the public face of Walter E. Smithe Furniture. "But these are guys who you'd go to dinner with, you know? "Staying fresh, young . Explore. 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. [6], One of Walter E. Smithe's most discussed commercials aired in late March 2006. Business Profile for Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca. They've transitioned into the spotlight. At-a-glance. Compare how recession-proof Walter E Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. Jamie Sotonoff. 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. As the fourth generation to run their family-owned Chicago furniture store, Walter. Then when I plugged it in, the place went up for grabs. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Oct 2012 - Apr 20152 years 7 months. Calkins says that by minimizing production costs and media costs and doing those quick turnarounds, Smithe gets a bigger bang for its advertising buck. "There are still people who ask us, 'Where are the brothers? Start shopping. 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.". Jeff Lewis's collection of vignettes is available at Walter E. Smithe's 11 showrooms in Chicago, and online. Smithe guy Walt actually Walter Smithe III 45 is president and general manager of the. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. "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. That was the extent of his pitchman career. Relevant. It was founded by Walter Edward Smithe and Bill Shanahan in 1945. "And of course this summer's blockbuster is supposed to be `Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.' 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. The two renamed the store Smithe and Shanahan, but Bill Shanahan eventually sold his share to Smithe's brother Charlie. Am I the only one who just thinks he looks like Louis CK? We connect families with the best local resources, advice, stories, things to do with kids and much more. I think people felt sorry for me, assuming that I wasnt getting any sleep and having to come to work every day, says Maureen. It was a natural fit, she said. 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. Assuming your a dude your not supposed to understand the commercials. "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. - 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. My sisters and I loved being a part of it.. Now, the Itasca-based furniture and interior design company wants you to get to know the Smithe sisters. [4][5] In 2008, they filmed and edited a takeoff of the Sex and the City franchise, with the brothers sipping "Smithe-o-politans". 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. His daughters were hesitant at first, questioning whether they were ready for such a responsibility. Is she OK? 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. 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. Dont burden yourself with the boredom of a matching wood set. Through March 16, enjoy savings of up to 20 percent on select rugs (hopscotch, anyone?) Get Eric Clark's email address (e*****@smithe.com) and phone number at RocketReach. Spoken like the daughter of a true shop owner, as her father Walter E. Smithe III, president of the eponymous furniture retailer calls himself. 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. As mothers, all of us have cleaned up a childs spill, or even their vomit, from our furniture, Colleen jokes. Hope, once a Smithe designer and store manager, now lives in Colorado with her husband. Then they brought in the wives. Read the rest of the issue. Walter E. Smithe III, is the President of family owned and operated Walter E. Smithe Furniture + Design. "We're dreamers and we have big ideas," Meghan said. Plus, they seem like nice guys. 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. To their delight, the reaction to that initial campaign was primarily positive, as has been the case for every commercial they've produced since. 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. 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 is not how you attract a premium buyer or build a premium brand. Walter has been known to take furniture for test drives, says Meghan. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. Reviews on Outlet Walter E Smithe in Glendale Heights, IL 60139 - Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, Toms Price Home, The Dump Furniture Outlet, Ashley HomeStore, The RoomPlace, Roy's Furniture, Domicile Its a tough balance, but I like figuring out the retail puzzle.. [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]. Tim, 41, is the vice president of sales; he and his wife have four kids and live in Winnetka. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. Some have criticized the spots for underemphasizing Walter E. Smithe's actual furniture products. 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. 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. 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. During a stint in the Army, Smithe attained the rank of captain and became an expert in the field of computers. The brothers spend most of their time in the company's Itasca headquarters, which also serves as a warehouse, customer service center and point of departure for the fleet of Smithe trucks. We've got the radar out for that," Tim Smithe says. walter e smithe furniture - inc. walter e smithe furniture. 1428, hollyhunt.com) has expanded its Great Plains textile offering with the Foreign Affair collection, which has a mix of warm and cool neutrals. Now, a lot more people know about us than knew a few years ago.". The campaign was inspired in part by a partnership with designer/house-flipper Jeff Lewis of the Bravo show Flipping Out. Walter e smithe daughters. "By being so close and meeting so regularly, we're all in the loop with what's happening in each other's sphere. The store, which has 10 locations in the Chicago area, has been open for nearly 75 years and has faced all the challenges of . Tomorrow, Hubbard Woods Design District (Green Bay Rd. While we still have traditional pieces, our showroom appeals to a number of different lifestyles. 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. "They were loved," said Colleen Smithe, the youngest daughter of Walter Smithe III. "KFC dances to beat of familiar drummers". Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design advertising has featured everything from parodies of "The Price Is Right" to a 2013 classic in which the Smithe brothers got into a wrestling ring with Billy Corgan. 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. Nothing is left unchanged, Meghan notes. Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design. Zajdel was a driver for Victory when he made the commercial a quarter-century ago. Caitie was a manufacturers' representative before becoming a stay-at-home mom. The sisters left for college with a few prized furnishings and a work ethic that became a permanent fixture in their lives. Who are these guys? Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. '", "I was at a gym on a treadmill," Mark says of the first time he caught one of the commercials. A matte black bathtub, vanity mirrors and hardware pop against the airy walls in this modern primary bathroom. Read on to find out more about pelvic floor therapy and how it's growing in popularity among postpartum women. From 5 to 8 p.m., select retailers will offer refreshments while highlighting unique designers. But I never forget that these are my sisters and I completely respect them. (847) 933-1481. Building upon the Smithe family legacy is a big responsibility, the sisters said, one they've embraced with fervor. So as long as strangers keep serenading them with the company jingle instead of pelting them with "Hardrock, Coco and Joe" DVDs, and as long as the business continues to grow, they'll keep doing the ads. They pointed out how affordable the pieces are. We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and. A new collection at Holly Hunt, discounts at EuroFurniture, a First Friday event at Hubbard Woods Design District, and more. Their dad, the company's president, continued filming his signature ads with his brother, Mark, for a short period of time, Colleen said. For example, Meghan had to miss her sons Valentines Day party at school this year, due to work responsibilities. Like their brothers, the four Smithe sisters were all in the business when they were in high school. getting a penny or nickel for every clearance tag we pulled," says Meghanthe four daughters of Walter Smithe III have . "It was kind of ingrained in us," Caitie Smithe said. Since 1945, we have been Chicago's local source for quality furniture and expert design. Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. Marketing Contacts Contacts (5/9) Name Title State; Walter S. President & Chief Executive Officer . Find employees, official website, emails, phone numbers, revenue, employee headcount, social accounts, and anything related to Walter E. Smithe Furniture. - Lynn Hauldren: Who? Or "Hardrock, Coco and Joe." 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. It couldn't have gone more perfectly, Maureen said. "With a strategy to continue Smithe parodies of relevant topics, really, the future is limitless," he says. Walter E. Smithe Furniture is a company located in Itasca, Illinois, United States. 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. Kneen & Co. (399 W. Fullerton Pkwy., Ste. The Smithe boys started out in a tiny ranch house in Des Plaines, the children of Walter Jr. and Florence. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. Regarded as top performer within the account and the Agency, as a result of consistent over-delivery, passion to grow the business . "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. 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. Create Comparison. 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. This style is out there and we need to respond and get it on our floor. (He's now semi-retired, having turned the business over to his sons about 10 years ago.). Feb 20, 2022 - The 4th generation of Walter E. Smithe family stops by to visit Bob and Marianne. walter e smithe furniture & design. I gave up sleep and TV, Maureen jokes. This has been our priority since we first began serving the Chicago area back in 1945. And youll see each of my sisters doing what they do best.. I love the one where they are drinking what looks like Tang out of wine glasses. My sisters and I represent the viewpoint of our younger clientele, Meghan says. But it wasn't long before he approached his youngest daughter with a proposition. "They're having a lot of fun. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. How could the Itasca-based company break the mold and reach a new audience while still carrying its message into a fourth generation? To the Smithe sisters, the company has always been a piece of their identity, an integral thread of their childhood. and became working moms in different industries. 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. McCarthy was married to grandson of Walter E. Smithe, Timothy Smithe Jr. in Paris, France in June of 2013. . We are a 4th generation family-owned business, and our employees are an integral part of . Customers were more concerned with what we were selling versus the people who were selling it, she adds. Personally, I dont want to stare at ugly furniture for all those years, Meghan says. 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. 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.