Someone really needs a new marketing director/CMO/agency because they do not know what they are doing. [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. "There was some physical violence between the brothers," Walt says with that satisfied look of a big brother who got to dish it out. It couldn't have gone more perfectly, Maureen said. I love the attention I get as a local celebrity," Mark says. Anyone got a link to the current commercial? This initiative calls for all hands on deck. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. walter e smithe furniture & design. Its very much in line with our desire to offer the most beautiful pieces that are of the highest quality. The Bob's puppet is a far better actor than the Smithe girls though. But I never forget that these are my sisters and I completely respect them. Not as long as they keep the commercials clever and topical, O'Neil says. How, they wondered, would longtime customers respond to four new female faces on their television screens? "I was at Dulles Airport in Washington, waiting for a 9:30 flight at night," Mark says. Read the rest of the issue. It worked really well for a long time, but post-recession, we saw peoples sensibilities had changed, says Meghan. "It was kind of ingrained in us," Caitie Smithe said. "Smithes have fun at the old ballpark". 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. We all trickled back in, and it happened really organically, says Meghan of the industrious quartet, who collectively has 17 children. After college, all three gravitated back to the family business, which was founded by their father. "With a strategy to continue Smithe parodies of relevant topics, really, the future is limitless," he says. The sisters get together at least twice a week, traveling from their homes in Chicago, Barrington and Riverside, leaving behind their children, husbands and home duties. "As needs within the business grew, positions opened up organically," Maureen said. Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up in the Northwest Side's Belmont Central neighborhood. Walter E. Smithe is a family business in every sense of the word, the sisters say. The original simple jingle and slogan was perfect. But even as likable as the brothers are, do they run the risk of oversaturation or going to the well too often? "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. We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and stage of life. It stuck in your head. 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. walter e smithe. 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. Favorite design style: Modern mixed with traditional. Still, the Smithes have had to weather various challenges since joining the company, including the retirement of their uncle, Tim. We are a 4th generation family-owned business, and our employees are an integral part of . Give yourself time to just be in a comfortable and beautiful outdoor space. It also featured an appearance by Dutchie Caray, wife of the late Cubs announcer Harry Caray. Tim offered Walt brotherly support after a just-completed scene. 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. We don't take that lightly.". The campaign was inspired in part by a partnership with designer/house-flipper Jeff Lewis of the Bravo show Flipping Out. You have this sense of passion and responsibility for it. Unlike their brothers, they chose other careers. Or "Hardrock, Coco and Joe." They're not egomaniacs. . ", Says Tim Smithe, "Pop culture is always changing and so are we.". and runners at CB2 (800 W. North Ave., cb2.com). Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design (Old Orchard) 17 miles. [4], Many of Walter E. Smithe's commercials have been pop culture parodies. "An hour and a half. The girls got the bedrooms; the three boys shared a room in the basement. Chicago magazine newsletters have you covered. A matte black bathtub, vanity mirrors and hardware pop against the airy walls in this modern primary bathroom. The Smithe brothers have been described as "Chicago's most recognizable furniture purveyors", due to their ubiquitous television commercials starring themselves. Receive a 20 percent discount on sofas, love seats, sectionals, chaises, and more at Cassona (5241 N. Clark St., cassona.com) through March 13. Born in the heart of Chicago, we're a family owned and operated local business since 1945, now four generations strong. Holly Hunt (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Ste. One by one, each sister began working in the family business. One of my friends used to live near Fullerton and Western, and she would always tell people she lived near Tile Outlet. "It's a big responsibility. officially retires, although he still enjoys visiting showrooms and meeting clients. Shop the Sofa Sale. As the fourth generation to run their family-owned Chicago furniture store, Walter. He attended the University of Notre Dame and earned a bachelor 's . Reaching a younger demographic and expanding their clientele has required some creativity, the sisters said. Indian Trail, High Street intersection work approved in Aurora, Suspect in high-speed chase crashes into, kills veteran Indiana State Trooper trying to stop him: officials, Educators get peek at Paramount play about artificial intelligence which is set to tour schools, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. At Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, we are committed to helping our clients love their homes through expert design, quality furnishings, and exemplary service. 1 Early life; 2 Television; 3 Personal Life; 4 References; . Through March 16, enjoy savings of up to 20 percent on select rugs (hopscotch, anyone?) October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM 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. "That's F-A-M-E, with an E". His sons, Walter, Tim, and Mark, joined the company in the 1970s and 1980s. He cites the U2 music video takeoff. The sisters left for college with a few prized furnishings and a work ethic that became a permanent fixture in their lives. Walter was the first of the third generation to join the family business in 1981 . The answer -- and the sisters' secret to success -- can be summed up in three key words: Fresh. College was a turning point for the sisters, who now call one another their best friends. The sisters laughed at hearing this family adage, knowing that home furnishing has been woven into the tapestry of their lives. 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. Today, they help oversee 10 showrooms, the warehouse and headquarters, working together (generally) perfectly. Visit . "I was invited to speak to 300-some designers in Oak Brook," he says. 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. They got on each other's nerves and learned to talk quickly at the dinner table if they wanted to get a word in. Even with little ones underfoot, the Smithe sisters make balancing their family furniture business and their growing broods look effortless. Rocketreach finds email, phone & social media for 450M+ professionals. Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. is headquartered in Itasca, IL. We get that question all the time, and that was to be expected," Colleen said. ". The daughters took over the company. 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. 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. And then fate gently tapped them on their shoulder. "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. Warehouse workers go over every piece of inventory awaiting delivery with a fine-tooth comb, looking for things an untrained eye would never see. For people who are in their 40s and have families, that's how brothers act around each other when they get together. As Caitie puts it, Theres no reason you cant use an entertainment console as a buffet in the dining room.. Bloomingdale Plaza. This led to the development of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. This is not how you attract a premium buyer or build a premium brand. 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. Its unnerving. 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. The best commercial -- at least the one viewers relished -- featured this grating kid getting hit in the face with a pie. "And I'd be yelling, `I can't breathe! Smithe guy Walt actually Walter Smithe III 45 is president and general manager of the. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. But now a new generationsisters Meghan, Colleen, Maureen, and Caitie . Falling asleep. This is useful in estimating the financial strength and credit risk of the company. Now, a lot more people know about us than knew a few years ago.". You may also light a candle in honor of Walter E. Smithe Jr. or send a beautiful flower arrangement to the funeral . 1251 West Thorndale Avenue. 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. A new collection at Holly Hunt, discounts at EuroFurniture, a First Friday event at Hubbard Woods Design District, and more. 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. While they took breaks from the biz to make their own way after college, each came back when the right positions opened up. But it wasn't long before he approached his youngest daughter with a proposition. 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. 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. Explore. with Maureen Smithe Brusznicki and Caitie Smithe Jisa at Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. To make up for it, she woke up early to make heart-shaped pancakes. What are they up to?' Cindy went to college in Iowa and settled there after school. "It almost feels like the business is, in a weird way, a member of the family. Sometimes you have to act fast. Ellen is very serious about design and had a definite voice in what this modern-rustic-meets-farmhouse collection would be. From 5 to 8 p.m., select retailers will offer refreshments while highlighting unique designers. USA. You could say that the Smithes are a bit obsessed with quality. 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. Start shopping. The 86-year-old patriarch of the Smithe family, Walter Edward Smithe Jr., "died . E. Smithe sisters Caitie, Colleen, Meghan and Maureen were introduced to the business at a young age. Bringing new and various textures into a room can take it from plain and lacking in interest to exciting and memorable. We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". Were really excited about this program, explains Meghan. Create Comparison. Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design, - Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design, Paddock Publications, Inc. is an Employee-Owned Company. Tim, 41, is the vice president of sales; he and his wife have four kids and live in Winnetka. One of the first opportunities to test their compatibility was through a partnership with interior designer and TV personality Jeff Lewis. Favorite design style: Cozy and comfortableaka hygge ethos. Get 5 free searches. For the most part, that relationship translates well in the business world, they say. - 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. 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. We take inspiration from the world of interior design to curate customized . Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The founder of well-known Chicago-area furniture company Walter E. Smithe has died, his family announced Wednesday. Am I the only one who just thinks he looks like Louis CK? 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. Getting the Smithes in front of the camera wasn't easy. 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. Plus, they seem like nice guys. However, Lewis Lazare, the Chicago Sun-Times' advertising critic, has defended the commercials. We simply never had that conversation, Meghan says. Billy Corgan and Walter E. Smithe Wrestling. "They go a long way with a limited budget through the use of creativity," he says. formId: "acc781a7-d0b4-433d-bc7f-c5bac12f3766" "The brothers have no acting talent," Tim says. 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. 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. Main Telephone (630) 285-8000. My sisters and I loved being a part of it.. Read on to find out more about pelvic floor therapy and how it's growing in popularity among postpartum women. 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. But they do have a business. 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. Newlyweds can now register for exclusive honeymoon stays and experiences at 23 of Auberge Resorts Collections luxury hotels and resorts worldwide More, With two movies out this winter, the actress and producer Salma Hayek Pinault is at the top of her game More, The star of A Beautiful Noise, which just opened at the Broadhurst Theatre, is a big Neil Diamond fan More, The writer and actor makes his Broadway debut in his just-opened play Aint No Mo More, After flying high in the hit sequel Top Gun: Maverick, Glen Powell stars in the new film Devotion, out now More, It's not enough to just be smart. Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Linly Designs, Rieke Office Interiors, 57st Design. "We're all rolling up our sleeves and getting dirty. 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. and became working moms in different industries. 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. "KFC dances to beat of familiar drummers". He began working in the . To their delight, the reaction to that initial campaign was primarily positive, as has been the case for every commercial they've produced since. 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. In the 1970s Walter left Smithe and Shanahan (His brothers remained with the original company) to start his own company - Walter E. Smithe. Timothy Smithe Jr. (m. 2013-2018) Kyla Lynn McCarthy (born October 8, 1986) is the daughter of politician and former Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy. Multi Location Business. 9's "Garfield Goose" and "Ray Rayner" shows. 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 . 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. Watch. They've spruced up their styles, selling more contemporary pieces among their traditional designs. "[5] Of the commercials, Tim Smithe has said, "We wanted to entertain people first, so then when we wanted to inform them they'd already be paying attention". 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. Regarded as top performer within the account and the Agency, as a result of consistent over-delivery, passion to grow the business . Its a tough balance, but I like figuring out the retail puzzle.. We can be real nimble when we're this tight and this spread across the business.". Compare how recession-proof Walter E Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. 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. "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. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Sometimes its the only quiet I get.. What she does: "I make spaces beautiful for clients' homes, our catalogs and showrooms, and play couples' therapist for clients who can't agree on a sofa." Favorite design style: Modern mixed with traditional. Postpartum bladder leaks are common but there's help. This style is out there and we need to respond and get it on our floor. The seven pieces featured in the Quincy Master Bedroom vignette below (chair, trunk . "It was kind of a neat way to kick off our involvement in the business as a group.". The Smithe sisters are working to expose the brand to a new customer base Photo credit: Robin Subar. I'm a brand manager and their commercials make the brand seem like a discount bin. Find locations. Now, the Itasca-based furniture and interior design company wants you to get to know the Smithe sisters. I also think, coming from a family business myself, to see how they interact with each other just gives you the feeling that they're good people, that you'd want to do business with those people.". When they get a topic, Smithe says, he tries to figure a way to blend it into an 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. 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 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. I only hear them on the radio. As the oldest sibling, Maureen was the first to officially join Walter E. Smithe in a professional capacity in 2004. "The majority of what we run is informational and tells about the company, but those aren't the ones people are talking about at the water cooler. 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. How could the Itasca-based company break the mold and reach a new audience while still carrying its message into a fourth generation? Get Eric Clark's email address (e*****@smithe.com) and phone number at RocketReach. I dont think anyone in the furniture industry does advertising well. Others have been parodies of reality television shows, such as The Apprentice and The Bachelor. The Smithes stand out because they're doing silly things. Tim recalls Walt trying to smother him -- repeatedly, apparently -- with a bean bag chair. Walt and Tim mocked Mark's new haircut. I can't breathe!' Chicago, IL. 1428, hollyhunt.com) has expanded its Great Plains textile offering with the Foreign Affair collection, which has a mix of warm and cool neutrals.
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