walter e smithe daughters

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! But even as likable as the brothers are, do they run the risk of oversaturation or going to the well too often? It stuck in your head. At Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, we are committed to helping our clients love their homes through expert design, quality furnishings, and exemplary service. This has been our priority since we first began serving the Chicago area back in 1945. I can't breathe!' His four daughtersMaureen, Meghan, Caitie, and Colleenare now the new faces of this historic Chicago brand, a spot he and his brothers held for decades. The Smithe boys started out in a tiny ranch house in Des Plaines, the children of Walter Jr. and Florence. Find employees, official website, emails, phone numbers, revenue, employee headcount, social accounts, and anything related to Walter E. Smithe Furniture. [7], Chicagoans have had mixed reactions to the Walter E. Smithe commercials. 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. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe (smithe.com) siblings-on-a-couch commercials. The company's commercials were originally straightforward descriptions of their products and services, but in 2003, the brothers decided to include outtakes from past filmings, which showed the brothers stumbling over words and laughing at each other. Subscribe for free today! / CBS Chicago. The spot showed the brothers at a news conference announcing that they had purchased Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, with plans to rename it Walter E. Smithe Field. 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. "We're kind of strategically positioned in different departments," Meghan said. "That's F-A-M-E, with an E". portalId: "6766057", Young. The Empire Carpet Guy, of course. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. Meghan was hired in 2013 and now serves as director of sales strategy. He NEVER blinks. "Some dabbled and moved on and others just weren't interested.". 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. Then the commercial came on. About. Most recently, she was at . With 10 years of advertising industry experience, Smithe Parker, daughter of President Walter E. Smithe III, has worked with high-profile advertising agencies in Chicago. I only hear them on the radio. Walter Smithe III and Mark Smithe (the Smithe Brothers) are the sons of Walter Jr, and serve as President and VP/Legal Counsel, respectively. - Linn Burton: He started selling appliances in Polk Bros. ads in 1953, but the majority of his 35-year TV career was spent hawking cars -- Kaisers, Frazers, Joe Rizza's Pontiacs and, most famously, Bert Weinman's Fords. Since 1945, we have been Chicago's local source for quality furniture and expert design. My wife and I were just talking about this yesterday, we truly hate the Walter E Smithe commercials with the daughters. 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 Itasca, IL 60143. Their advertising is creative, it's timely and it's interesting, so people remember it and they like it.". "It's been about reworking how we approach visually what we want to convey about the product that we're selling," Meghan said. Thats fast, but it shows what we can do. Start shopping. But I never forget that these are my sisters and I completely respect them. They're going to be the ones buying furniture for the next 50 years, so we have to be ready to serve them the way they want to be served," said Walter Smithe, 57. Edit: I have been informed that they are the daughters, not the wives. And in between the entertainment were his folksy commercials for Courtesy Motors -- his cars were "honeys" and "sweeties" -- which at one point was the world's largest Ford dealer. Bloomingdale Plaza. "That is the top priority for the four of us," Meghan Smithe said. Industry: Home Furniture & Housewares Stores. Furniture Stores. We understand that customers see a certain look on, say, Instagram and they want it replicated in their own home, Colleen says. "It was kind of ingrained in us," Caitie Smithe said. At-a-glance. Woven Roman shades, a jute rug and a blonde wood vanity usher texture and warmth into the otherwise minimalist design. . One spot was modeled after Apple's weird commercials. We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and. 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. Over the past 76 years, the company has grown to include 10 Chicago area showrooms. When they get a topic, Smithe says, he tries to figure a way to blend it into an ad. Sibling revelry; Their offbeat commercials have made the Smithe brothers cult heroes. "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. The company offer of a free DVD generated a huge response, and more than 60,000 were given away.). 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. My sisters and I represent the viewpoint of our younger clientele, Meghan says. [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. They brought in real clients, worked with real designers and demonstrated each sister's essential role within the business. As mothers, all of us have cleaned up a childs spill, or even their vomit, from our furniture, Colleen jokes. For people who are in their 40s and have families, that's how brothers act around each other when they get together. Tags: Design Controls - Facebook Instant Article, Home & Garden, Interior Design. Check out the new collection. You could say that the Smithes are a bit obsessed with quality. I love the one where they are drinking what looks like Tang out of wine glasses. They can really do great things. Walter E. Smithe is a family business in every sense of the word, the sisters say. "It's a big responsibility. "They've done a wonderful job building a distinctive brand," says Tim Calkins, a professor of marketing at Northwestern University. Only a year apart in age, the lively, fast-talking Smithe sisters consider one another best friends. The commercials are created in-house. officially retires, although he still enjoys visiting showrooms and meeting clients. The Smithes stand out because they're doing silly things. Its a tough balance, but I like figuring out the retail puzzle.. Those early Smithe commercials were straight-forward affairs, with each brother talking about his area of expertise -- Walt discussed the merchandise, Tim the company's designers, and Mark Smithe's delivery system and customer satisfaction -- and, of course, the furniture. Walter E. Smithe Furniture is a company located in Itasca, Illinois, United States. The company began in 1945 as Tone Appliances and Furniture, a single store on Belmont Avenue in Chicago. 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. Here, get to know this powerhouse quartet. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. A new book offers a primer on how to spot, seize, and exploit and create lucky breaks More, Two new must-visit hotels from Austin to Houston More, Shop Patek Philippe timepieces, Oiya bracelets and a Miami-based skincare brand More, Plan a day of relaxation at Pressed Roots and The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas More, Raise a glass to our favorite new French-inspired bistros, charming piano bars and bold Italian eateries in Manhattan More, From shoes to handbags, here are the new boutiques to visit in New York City More, The best-selling author, entrepreneur and global philanthropist continues a push with Feeding America to provide 1 billion meals More, Were Over The Moon About This New Travel Registry, 2022 Holiday Gift Guide: The Best Edible Presents, Room Request! By last year, though, each had returned to the company their great-grandfather founded. "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. [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. 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. Favorite design style: Clean and neutral. Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5, based on over 92 reviews left anonymously by employees. Mix together different, but complimentary, elements such as woods, metals and stonesand feel free to mix various metals together. We take inspiration from the world of interior design to curate customized . "I was at Dulles Airport in Washington, waiting for a 9:30 flight at night," Mark says. formId: "acc781a7-d0b4-433d-bc7f-c5bac12f3766" 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. 1251 West Thorndale Avenue. This article originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Chicago Parent. Tomorrow, Hubbard Woods Design District (Green Bay Rd. getting a penny or nickel for every clearance tag we pulled," says Meghanthe four daughters of Walter Smithe III have . Holly Hunt (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Ste. And Mark, 40, is Smithe's general counsel; he and his partner live in Lincoln Park with Petey, a 4-year-old bulldog. To see these serious, stuffy guys laughing and having fun someone yelled out, `You should use that as a commercial. "We're all rolling up our sleeves and getting dirty. Walter E. Smithe Jr. died peacefully at age 86, his family said in a prepared statement. We are sad to announce that on October 9, 2022 we had to say goodbye to Walter E. Smithe Jr. of Chicago, Illinois. "And they've been able to personalize a retail chain through the use of the brothers. "And a woman was there with her daughter, and she nudged her and I heard her say, 'That's the Walter E. Smithe guy.' 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 wants to create a series of similar videos to give customers a behind-the-scenes look at their services and the company. (847) 933-1481. 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. Unlike their brothers, they chose other careers. A matte black bathtub, vanity mirrors and hardware pop against the airy walls in this modern primary bathroom. The journey from Point A to Point B started with an all-blooper and outtakes reel that O'Neil and Tim Smithe put together as a birthday gift for mom Florence. We don't take that lightly.". Then they tie in pop culture it shows that they're sort of a with-it furniture company. Their grandfather, who is in his 80s, remains active in the company, frequently visiting showrooms and making connections with clients. Nothing is left unchanged, Meghan notes. 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. There's a lot of blurred lines, and we have to learn when to defer to each other.". "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. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Visit Website (opens in new window) Walter E. Smithe. 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.". From 5 to 8 p.m., select retailers will offer refreshments while highlighting unique designers. It turned out so well that Tim carried along a copy to a speaking engagement. "Pam, Bill and I are always on the watch for pop culture. I presented my ideas for this two weeks ago and it will be out on the floor in three weeks. walter e smithe. That was the extent of his pitchman career. 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. Compare how recession-proof Walter E. Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. - Nick Celozzi and Maury Ettleson: Starting in the early '70s, they waved fistfuls of cash at TV viewers and reminded everyone that Celozzi-Ettleson Chevrolet in Elmhurst was "Where you always save more money!". 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. 1251 W. Thorndale Ave. Itasca, IL 60143-1149. Then he and Thorson meet with his brothers and throw ideas around. "Staying fresh, young . The Feldco guy creeps me out more. Press J to jump to the feed. Sometimes you have to act fast. 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. 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. 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. Regarded as top performer within the account and the Agency, as a result of consistent over-delivery, passion to grow the business . The are the Smithe sisters, Meghan, Colleen, Maureen and Caitie. They were each only a year apart, at one point covering all four grade levels at Barrington High School. Hope, once a Smithe designer and store manager, now lives in Colorado with her husband. 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. Some ways to do this include mixing fabrics and leathers such as pairing linens with velvets, shag rugs, fur throws, organic elements such as rattan and bamboo even the reflective-ness of chrome can add texture to a room! Last year there aas a commercial where the puppet quickly moved to close his laptop when someone came in the office. Favorite design style: Modern mixed with traditional. Jeff Lewis's collection of vignettes is available at Walter E. Smithe's 11 showrooms in Chicago, and online. 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. Be sure to visit Sawbridge Studios, which will showcase sustainably harvested, live-edge furniture by David Stine. But the truth is, I love coming to the office. And now with the company's 75th anniversary approaching in August, they're ready to push forward plans to expand and evolve. "We're custom, so we can create everything, but we need to get the right mix out there to give people ideas," said Meghan Smithe, the company's director of marketing. They've relaunched catalogs showcasing their furniture in fully designed spaces. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years. To make up for it, she woke up early to make heart-shaped pancakes. First published on October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM. A few bucks later, the clunker is off to Victory's Bensenville lot. I was probably in elementary school when I would come in to work in the warehouse sweeping for a nickel Colleen says. Primary Address. But one by one, they followed Maureen's lead and rejoined the family business. As they grew into their teens, there were the usual summer jobs -- caddying, yard work, selling ice cream from a motorized three-wheeler. The Smithe boys started out in a tiny ranch house in Des Plaines, the children of Walter Jr. and Florence. }); Chicago Parent is Chicagolands trusted parenting hub since 1984. 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. 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. "We're not your parents' furniture company," Caitie said. Rocketreach finds email, phone & social media for 450M+ professionals. 177 East Army Trail Road, Glendale Heights, IL 60139. Please enter valid email address to continue. [4], Many of Walter E. Smithe's commercials have been pop culture parodies. "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. CHICAGO (CBS) -- Walter Edward Smithe Jr., the founder of Chicago's Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86. In the late '60s, the growing family -- there are also four sisters, Cindy, Margie and . You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Our dad always put an emphasis on hard work, and it stuck with us.. 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. Business Profile for Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca. The Smithe sisters have always been close -- and growing up, it wasn't always by choice. walter e smithe furniture - inc. walter e smithe furniture. Postpartum bladder leaks are common but there's help. Oct 2012 - Apr 20152 years 7 months. The answer -- and the sisters' secret to success -- can be summed up in three key words: Fresh. 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. Ask how we can add diversity to your supply chain. 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. Opening Day is March 30. (He's now semi-retired, having turned the business over to his sons about 10 years ago.). Im stunned when people watch one of our makeovers and are surprised that Smithe carries so much of what they like, says Caitie. 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. Let's go Cubbies! Falling asleep. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Our lives can be overrun with technology, commitments and schedules. But they do have a business. Walter e smithe daughters. For instance, finding that perfect piece of decorative furniture that creatively doubles as a toy box for kids games, toys and video devices. Smithe says that doing everything in-house allows them to be quick on their feet. 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. - 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. The store, which has 10 locations in the Chicago area, has been open for nearly 75 years and has faced all the challenges of . "But these are guys who you'd go to dinner with, you know? CHICAGO The founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design has died. 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. 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. 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. In family businesses, thats the only way to ensure a companys continued success. Today, Maureen is a buyer, Meghan is the director of marketing, Caitie is a designer and assists the merchandising team, and Colleen is the director of advertising. I havent seen the Tile Outlet lady in a while!! Smithe's wife of 64 years was by his side when he passed, and he . 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. Visit . 22 miles. [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]. Then when I plugged it in, the place went up for grabs. Its no longer that way.. 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 Furniture & Design is a family-owned furniture retailer, founded right here in Chicago, back in 1945. Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up on the Northwest Side in Belmont Central. They're nice folks. This led to the development of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. 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. Colleen loved being able to point out that her dad and uncles, Mark and Tim, brainstormed and executed the ideas themselves. 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 takes work and sacrifice.. 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 . While we still have traditional pieces, our showroom appeals to a number of different lifestyles. "As furniture commercials go, what the Smithes are doing is great," he says. Subscribe to one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, and opportunities in Chicago. His four daughtersMaureen, Meghan, Caitie, and Colleenare now the new faces of this historic Chicago brand, a spot he and his brothers held for decades.

How Much Was A Drachma Worth In Ancient Greece, Bt Wifi Disc Ethernet Connection, Articles W