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. But the sisters also know they can always turn to the leaders who came before them. 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. 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.. "An hour and a half. 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. 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. My sisters and I represent the viewpoint of our younger clientele, Meghan says. 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. "We're kind of strategically positioned in different departments," Meghan said. 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. "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. walter e smithe furniture & design. "We were kind of like dorks, geeks, growing up," Mark says. getting a penny or nickel for every clearance tag we pulled," says Meghanthe four daughters of Walter Smithe III have . Chicago magazine newsletters have you covered. In some of the footage, youll see my dad installing a dimmer or my uncle driving a truck. Further confused by the commercials now. Subscribe for free today! The company makes, sells, and repairs furniture, . The answer -- and the sisters' secret to success -- can be summed up in three key words: Fresh. 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. "It almost feels like the business is, in a weird way, a member of the family. They've transitioned into the spotlight. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). How could the Itasca-based company break the mold and reach a new audience while still carrying its message into a fourth generation? between Scott Ave. and Tower Rd., Winnetka, shophwdd.com) hosts a First Friday event on the North Shore. Instead of starring third-generation brothers Walter III, Tim, and Mark, the new ones put the spotlight on fourth-generation sisters Caitie, Meghan, Maureen, and Colleen. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. USA. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. Please enter valid email address to continue. Business Profile for Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca. Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up in the Northwest Side's Belmont Central neighborhood. 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. 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 . "It was kind of ingrained in us," Caitie Smithe said. Bringing new and various textures into a room can take it from plain and lacking in interest to exciting and memorable. 9615 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077. 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. Smithe's wife of 64 years was by his side when he passed, and he . 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. We dont always agree on things, Colleen says. Dont burden yourself with the boredom of a matching wood set. Sometimes we present to our dad as a united front and other times we need him to be a tie breaker. 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. (Last year, Walter E. Smithe resurrected the 1950s-era cartoon that was a holiday staple on WGN-Ch. "If our specialties fit those needs, then we were invited to have a conversation and explore the opportunity, but it was never a demand placed on us.". I was probably in elementary school when I would come in to work in the warehouse sweeping for a nickel Colleen says. "Pam, Bill and I are always on the watch for pop culture. The Smithe sisters now serve as the face . What are they up to?' Determine whether Walter E. Smithe Furniture grew or shrank during the last recession. Watch. Shop the Sofa Sale. "That was the best part," she said. During a stint in the Army, Smithe attained the rank of captain and became an expert in the field of computers. A few bucks later, the clunker is off to Victory's Bensenville lot. Since 1945 the company has . October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM 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. What The Walter E. Smithe Daughters Do . There's a lot of blurred lines, and we have to learn when to defer to each other.". 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. Someone really needs a new marketing director/CMO/agency because they do not know what they are doing. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The sisters left for college with a few prized furnishings and a work ethic that became a permanent fixture in their lives. But it wasn't long before he approached his youngest daughter with a proposition. Is she OK? Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design, - Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design, Paddock Publications, Inc. is an Employee-Owned Company. "Staying fresh, young . Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up on the Northwest Side in Belmont Central. Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86, his family said. Mark admonished Walt to keep his feet off the furniture. 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. Then when I plugged it in, the place went up for grabs. 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. 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. The are the Smithe sisters, Meghan, Colleen, Maureen and Caitie. They look hungry. Chicagoans came to know and appreciate the three Smithe brothers who starred for years in quirky TV commercials touting their family-run furniture company. Industry: Home Furniture & Housewares Stores. 1428, hollyhunt.com) has expanded its Great Plains textile offering with the Foreign Affair collection, which has a mix of warm and cool neutrals. They've been able to weather the unexpected storm of the coronavirus pandemic. And Mark, 40, is Smithe's general counsel; he and his partner live in Lincoln Park with Petey, a 4-year-old bulldog. "And a woman was there with her daughter, and she nudged her and I heard her say, 'That's the Walter E. Smithe guy.' Edited to add: Looked them up and gee, it's one of the daughters managing the marketing. Be sure to visit Sawbridge Studios, which will showcase sustainably harvested, live-edge furniture by David Stine. Edit: I have been informed that they are the daughters, not the wives. There are so many cool and unique materials being used to manufacture furniture these dayssuch as capiz shells, bone inlay, faux shagreen, concrete, rope and slate. "People really did love seeing them on their TVs.". The campaign was inspired in part by a partnership with designer/house-flipper Jeff Lewis of the Bravo show Flipping Out. }); Chicago Parent is Chicagolands trusted parenting hub since 1984. Jamie Sotonoff. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. Till your hair grows back."). Then they tie in pop culture it shows that they're sort of a with-it furniture company. 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. Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Linly Designs, Rieke Office Interiors, 57st Design. They decided on an ad campaign that would, simply, pitch their product. "So that drove us, I think, to be successes.". Updating your home theater? 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. In recent years, Smithe enjoyed his time with extended family. Walter E. SMITHE corporate office is located in 1775 W Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, Illinois, 60004, United States and has 382 employees. She also sees more demand for curation: Rather than walking into a store and getting an entire matching bedroom or dining set, people are mixing and matching and getting a look thats uniquely theirs., The new ED Ellen DeGeneres furniture collection (now available at all 11 Walter E. Smithe showrooms) allows for just thatand it includes versatile pieces that transcend their typical use. The implication was that he was doing/looking at something inappropriate. 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. The Smithe sisters have always been close -- and growing up, it wasn't always by choice. His sons, Walter, Tim, and Mark, joined the company in the 1970s and 1980s. Its a tough balance, but I like figuring out the retail puzzle.. Assuming your a dude your not supposed to understand the commercials. His signature line: "Linn Burton for certain!". 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. Billy Corgan and Walter E. Smithe Wrestling. The company began in 1945 as Tone Appliances and Furniture, a single store on Belmont Avenue in Chicago. That sentiment applies to their lively commercials, too, which frequently feature the sisters chatting on a stylish couch or gathering with family members in a beautifully staged home. You can still be a fun premium brand (Virgin, for example) but this is Family Dollar-type schtick. "It's been about reworking how we approach visually what we want to convey about the product that we're selling," Meghan said. The two renamed the store Smithe and Shanahan, but Bill Shanahan eventually sold his share to Smithe's brother Charlie. "We're all rolling up our sleeves and getting dirty. Meghan and Colleen spent several years working at advertising agencies in Chicago. 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. The first order of business: ditch the longstanding, highly recognizable ad campaign featuring their father and two uncles. 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. Let's go Cubbies! 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. The Smithes had been encouraged to air their outtakes on television after Tim Smithe screened them at an interior design seminar and received a positive reaction from the crowd. I presented my ideas for this two weeks ago and it will be out on the floor in three weeks. Still, she never dreamed of working full time for Walter E. Smithe Furniture, even while growing up in Barrington with her three sisters, Maureen, Caitie and Colleen. Her sisters had fallen into their own specialties and were pursuing different paths at the time. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. 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! 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. They were each only a year apart, at one point covering all four grade levels at Barrington High School. Spoken like the daughter of a true "shop owner," as her father Walter E. Smithe III, president of the eponymous furniture retailer calls himself. - 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. Sip A Negroni While Exploring This Stunning New Home Boutique, Peruse Artisan-Crafted Collections At This Chicago Boutique, Fresh And Feminine Vibes Rule This Winnetka Boutique, Whats In Store At Chicagos New Must-See Surface Destination, 3 Things To Know About The Latest RH Gallery, Do Not Sell Or Share My Personal Information. Timothy Smithe Jr. (m. 2013-2018) Kyla Lynn McCarthy (born October 8, 1986) is the daughter of politician and former Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy. But even as likable as the brothers are, do they run the risk of oversaturation or going to the well too often? 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, 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. [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. Whoever said brick-and-mortar is dead hasn't met the Smithe sisters. The Smithe sisters have heard it all before, and they've set out to dispel those misperceptions. "Still hard for me to imagine.") Over the last 12 years, one by one, Walter's daughters have been hired on at Smithe in an official capacity. "And I'd be yelling, `I can't breathe! View a map of participating First Friday locations. It turned out so well that Tim carried along a copy to a speaking engagement. Contact Information. 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. 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. with Maureen Smithe Brusznicki and Caitie Smithe Jisa at Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. I only hear them on the radio. The Smithe brothers have been described as "Chicago's most recognizable furniture purveyors", due to their ubiquitous television commercials starring themselves. Compare how recession-proof Walter E Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. 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! Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. Now, a lot more people know about us than knew a few years ago.". '", "The business steadily increased since we started the commercials," Walt says. This led to the development of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. 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. Spoken like the daughter of a true shop owner, as her father Walter E. Smithe III, president of the eponymous furniture retailer calls himself. My wife and I were just talking about this yesterday, we truly hate the Walter E Smithe commercials with the daughters. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe . While we still have traditional pieces, our showroom appeals to a number of different lifestyles. So is there a `Wally and the Sofa Factory' in our future?". "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years," Meghan said. 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. Here, get to know this powerhouse quartet. Sisters Take Smithe Spotlight, More High-End Barware, and a Sofa Sale, 2020 Chicago magazine / A Chicago Tribune Media Group website, map of participating First Friday locations, Design Controls - Facebook Instant Article. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design is a family-owned furniture retailer, founded right here in Chicago, back in 1945. Colleen Smithe, Director of Advertising Caitie Smithe, Designer and Stylist. It said he passed away peacef Smithe guy Walt actually Walter Smithe III 45 is president and general manager of the. Their camaraderie is genuine, and they can easily share ideas and bounce between conversations. 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. [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. But learning how to work together while also juggling their busy personal lives -- they have 18 kids among the four of them -- can be a delicate balance. College was a turning point for the sisters, who now call one another their best friends. 177 East Army Trail Road, Glendale Heights, IL 60139. "It's made us focus on what we do best, which is designing our clients' homes," he said. Walter E. Smithe Jr's death was announced Thursday on the company's Facebook page. Nothing will be worse than the commercials they ran the last time the Cicadas were in season. '", "I was at a gym on a treadmill," Mark says of the first time he caught one of the commercials. Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design. Shop the clearance. The Smithe boys started out in a tiny ranch house in Des Plaines, the children of Walter Jr. and Florence. The Walter E. Smithe + Jeff Lewis showcase certainly fits the bill. "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. hbspt.forms.create({ But repeated airings of the ad have made him and his door legendary. We see this country chic trend currently happening as a design emergency, says Maureen. Now its only the wives and zero about the furniture. Its unnerving. Caitie, Colleen, Maureen and Meghan Smithe represent the fourth generation helping run their Chicago-based family furniture store, Walter E. Smithe, and they're determined not to be the last. They're not egomaniacs. Its unjust to think that women can somehow balance it all, Colleen adds. It's fun to be part of Chicago in that way.". ("Did you notice he used the wide-angle lens when he shot your [rear end]?"). Walter has been known to take furniture for test drives, says Meghan. "As needs within the business grew, positions opened up organically," Maureen said. Start shopping. "I was at Dulles Airport in Washington, waiting for a 9:30 flight at night," Mark says. 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. I gave up sleep and TV, Maureen jokes. He cites the U2 music video takeoff. After college, all three gravitated back to the family business, which was founded by their father. Some have criticized the spots for underemphasizing Walter E. Smithe's actual furniture products. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_E._Smithe. Create Comparison. 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.