"Instead we did it on the turn of a dime. "[7] Maria Coons, a marketing teacher at Harper College, has also defended the advertisements, telling a Daily Herald reporter, "Some people who aren't in that [30 to 60 year old] demographic might consider them dorky, but for their target market, they're not. 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. Walter E. Smithe Furniture is a company located in Itasca, Illinois, United States. Woven Roman shades, a jute rug and a blonde wood vanity usher texture and warmth into the otherwise minimalist design. Over the past 76 years, the company has grown to include 10 Chicago area showrooms. [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]. walter e smithe furniture & design. "But these are guys who you'd go to dinner with, you know? View a map of participating First Friday locations. The slogans "You dream it, we build it", or "That's Smithe, with an E" are commonly used. Walter E. Smithe Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design 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.". William Hageman and Tribune staff reporter. Favorite design style: Clean and neutral. As mothers, theyve learned its not only possible, but preferable, to have a functional yet beautiful home. And yet, as they went off to college and moved into the next phase of life, they were never expected to someday return full time. walter e smithe, furniture stores near me, ballinger vase buy, gold side end table, tall mirror, walter e smithe daughters, furniture . The company began in 1945 as Tone Appliances and Furniture, a single store on Belmont Avenue in Chicago. Contents. Walter E. Smithe Jr. Obituary (1936 - 2022) | Chicago, Illinois We not only respect this, we embrace it.. Or using a new high-tech application to keep couch fabric truly worry free from childrens spills, everything from spaghetti sauce to Kool-Aid. And they wanted a way to build the brand. 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. 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. "It was kind of a neat way to kick off our involvement in the business as a group.". Like most mothers, whether theyre working or staying at home, we do what we can, she says. Favorite design style: Modern mixed with traditional. He also hosted telethons. They've transitioned into the spotlight. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Their dad, the company's president, continued filming his signature ads with his brother, Mark, for a short period of time, Colleen said. Smithe says that doing everything in-house allows them to be quick on their feet. His signature line: "Linn Burton for certain!". Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. 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. He attended the University of Notre Dame and earned a bachelor 's . In the late '60s, the growing family -- there are also four sisters, Cindy, Margie and . About. Tim, 41, is the vice president of sales; he and his wife have four kids and live in Winnetka. Its unjust to think that women can somehow balance it all, Colleen adds. "We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". 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. 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. But one by one, they followed Maureen's lead and rejoined the family business. "There are still people who ask us, 'Where are the brothers? 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 brothers are following in the footsteps of other memorable Chicago commercial icons: - Jim Moran: Starting in the late '40s, "The Courtesy Man" sponsored wrestling programs, late-night movies, a country-and-western music show and his own variety show. Read on to find out more about pelvic floor therapy and how it's growing in popularity among postpartum women. 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. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. A matte black bathtub, vanity mirrors and hardware pop against the airy walls in this modern primary bathroom. 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. And then fate gently tapped them on their shoulder. The inky accents create a sleek statement against the white walls and lend a streamlined look to the space. In the late '60s, the growing family -- there are also four sisters, Cindy, Margie and twins Hope and Amy, none of whom is involved in the family business -- moved to a slightly larger home in Park Ridge. This began a long series of lighthearted television commercials, which became increasingly elaborate over the next few years. "An hour and a half. "So that drove us, I think, to be successes.". Smithe Parker leads Walter E. Smithe advertising 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. The new campaign, dubbed Smithe Family Makeovers, showcases Smithe furniture in the homes of actual clients, revealing the handiwork of the companys designers in HGTV-esque episodes. I only hear them on the radio. High School," Walter says. Shop the Sofa Sale. The Itasca-based company has 10 locations across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, where the sisters ply their fourth-generation talents. Today. For decades, the public faces of the privately owned company have been the sisters' father, Walter E. Smithe IIIthe 59-year-old grandson of the business's namesakeand the sisters' uncles, Mark and Tim. But I never forget that these are my sisters and I completely respect them. "And there's 10 televisions, all tuned to the same station. Only a year apart in age, the lively, fast-talking Smithe sisters consider one another best friends. If you grew up in Chicago, you can probably hum it. McCarthy was married to grandson of Walter E. Smithe, Timothy Smithe Jr. in Paris, France in June of 2013. . Holly Hunt (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Ste. walter e smithe furniture inc. Walter E. Smithe Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design Tim offered Walt brotherly support after a just-completed scene. 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. An added factor in the commercials' success are the brothers, who come across as regular guys. I think people felt sorry for me, assuming that I wasnt getting any sleep and having to come to work every day, says Maureen. Start shopping. - 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. Rocketreach finds email, phone & social media for 450M+ professionals. Explore. Then there's their father, a hardworking industry expert who leads by example and walks into any work setting saying, "We check our egos at the door.". Its unnerving. And youll see each of my sisters doing what they do best.. The Sisters Behind the Walter E. Smithe Furniture Company - DuJour With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. The commercial included the tagline "Change the Name, Change the Luck", a reference to the Cubs' decades-long struggle to reach the World Series. We simply never had that conversation, Meghan says. That collective experience comes in handy ahead of any major decisions. In 2002 they brought in director Bill O'Neil to help them. While they took breaks from the biz to make their own way after college, each came back when the right positions opened up. Along the way, they got married, had children (17 in all!) Even their more than 250 employees are treated like family. Its a tough balance, but I like figuring out the retail puzzle.. 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. For people who are in their 40s and have families, that's how brothers act around each other when they get together. I love incorporating an unexpected element into a room. 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. This rating has improved by 10% over the last 12 months. "We're dreamers and we have big ideas," Meghan said. WALTER E. SMITHE FURNITURE Revenue, Growth & Competitor Profile Read the rest of the issue. There's a preconceived notion that furniture stores are stuffy and tired, run by men in suits and catering to older generations. Meghan is director of marketing, Caitie is a designer and stylist and Colleen is director of advertising. "They go a long way with a limited budget through the use of creativity," he says. ("Did you notice he used the wide-angle lens when he shot your [rear end]?"). Now its only the wives and zero about the furniture. Unlike their brothers, they chose other careers. 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. "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. CHICAGO (CBS) -- Walter Edward Smithe Jr., the founder of Chicago's Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86. Give yourself time to just be in a comfortable and beautiful outdoor space. - 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!". She is a celebrity who is genuinely interested in how her furniture will do and be perceived, Maureen says. Best Outlet Walter E Smithe near Glendale Heights, IL 60139 - Yelp Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. Were a Chicago company that was given national exposure. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Business Profile for Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca. Our lives can be overrun with technology, commitments and schedules. 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. (He's now semi-retired, having turned the business over to his sons about 10 years ago.). Walter E. Smithe Jr. died peacefully at age 86, his family said in a prepared statement. 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. Chicago's Best Furniture and Expert Design. Then when I plugged it in, the place went up for grabs. The Smithe sisters have heard it all before, and they've set out to dispel those misperceptions. 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. Determine whether Walter E. Smithe Furniture grew or shrank during the last recession. 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. When they get a topic, Smithe says, he tries to figure a way to blend it into an ad. I dont think anyone in the furniture industry does advertising well. The company gained national exposure from Lewis' collection, and each sister was able to shine in her own specialty. Were not trying to portray an image that working mothers can pull off everything without something falling through, Maureen says candidly. "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. During a stint in the Army, Smithe attained the rank of captain and became an expert in the field of computers. 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. "But we've also gotten some really nice feedback from people who are happy to see four working women on their TV.". Get Eric Clark's email address (e*****@smithe.com) and phone number at RocketReach. 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. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Walt and Tim mocked Mark's new haircut. officially retires, although he still enjoys visiting showrooms and meeting clients. What she does: I use both sides of my brain: left for all the analytical spreadsheet stuff and right for the creative vision. hbspt.forms.create({ Subscribe to one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, and opportunities in Chicago. Colleen Smithe - Director of Advertising - Walter E. Smithe Furniture - 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. So is there a `Wally and the Sofa Factory' in our future?". Tim recalls Walt trying to smother him -- repeatedly, apparently -- with a bean bag chair. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years," Meghan said. The answer -- and the sisters' secret to success -- can be summed up in three key words: Fresh. Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture, dies at 86 It's partnered with celebrity designers and broadened the mix of products carried in stores, online and in its resurrected catalog to include more current trends and a wider range of price points. October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. Moms of 17 juggle the Chicago-based family business "They were loved," said Colleen Smithe, the youngest daughter of Walter Smithe III. The daughters took over the company. 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. 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. 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. I'm a brand manager and their commercials make the brand seem like a discount bin. - Lynn Hauldren: Who? [7], Chicagoans have had mixed reactions to the Walter E. Smithe commercials. Create Comparison. They're nice folks. The Smithes stand out because they're doing silly things. 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. 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. Walter E. Smithe Furniture founder, Walter E. Smithe Jr., dies at 86 Contact Information. 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.. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design - Yelp Then he and Thorson meet with his brothers and throw ideas around. Born in the heart of Chicago, we're a family owned and operated local business since 1945, now four generations strong. They pointed out how affordable the pieces are. But they do have a business. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86, his family said. 9's "Garfield Goose" and "Ray Rayner" shows. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years. 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. This led to the development of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. Sometimes it does not pay to work with family. Three years later, she recruited Colleen to become advertising director -- a position she accepted without hesitation. We see this country chic trend currently happening as a design emergency, says Maureen. 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. Lewis teamed up with Smithes merchandising team to create in-store vignettes, and also featured the store on his show. If you find the right furniture, it will last even through your kids, Colleen says. "I was at Dulles Airport in Washington, waiting for a 9:30 flight at night," Mark says. I havent seen the Tile Outlet lady in a while!! He cites the U2 music video takeoff. getting a penny or nickel for every clearance tag we pulled," says Meghanthe four daughters of Walter Smithe III have . There have been more than a thousand of them since, and thanks to the magic of cable TV he is now a national celebrity. She has a few ideas for how to add a little spring to your home. "I was invited to speak to 300-some designers in Oak Brook," he says. At Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, we are committed to helping our clients love their homes through expert design, quality furnishings, and exemplary service. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". 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. My sisters and I loved being a part of it.. So I'm speaking, and they're half listening, you know. "It's always positive, and it's nice to be part of it. "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. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design (Old Orchard) 17 miles. We've got the radar out for that," Tim Smithe says. You have this sense of passion and responsibility for it. Also would somebody please feed them? "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. Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design Reviews - Glassdoor 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. As they grew into their teens, there were the usual summer jobs -- caddying, yard work, selling ice cream from a motorized three-wheeler. What happened to the Walter E Smithe guys? - Cowetaamerican.com In a new seven-minute "Smithe Family Makeover" video, you'll only see one Smithe brother and you'll only hear the new version of the familiar jingle if you watch all the way through to the credits. The girls got the bedrooms; the three boys shared a room in the basement. Let's go Cubbies! It took the mother of six children a few years to figure out how to juggle her demanding career and busy home life. 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. 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. Someone really needs a new marketing director/CMO/agency because they do not know what they are doing. Reaching a younger demographic and expanding their clientele has required some creativity, the sisters said. 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. 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 . 70 reviews of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design "This is a really good store for when you hit age 40 or so and realize your house still resembles a college dorm. "We're kind of strategically positioned in different departments," Meghan said. Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca | Better Business Bureau Profile "We're not your parents' furniture company," Caitie said. Edited to add: Looked them up and gee, it's one of the daughters managing the marketing. 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. By last year, though, each had returned to the company their great-grandfather founded. The original simple jingle and slogan was perfect. Tomorrow, Hubbard Woods Design District (Green Bay Rd. College was a turning point for the sisters, who now call one another their best friends. 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 is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. I was probably in elementary school when I would come in to work in the warehouse sweeping for a nickel Colleen says. Oct 2012 - Apr 20152 years 7 months. Dont burden yourself with the boredom of a matching wood set. They're not egomaniacs. "We're all rolling up our sleeves and getting dirty. After college, all three gravitated back to the family business, which was founded by their father. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design - Chicago's Furniture Store and '", "The business steadily increased since we started the commercials," Walt says. Mix together different, but complimentary, elements such as woods, metals and stonesand feel free to mix various metals together. 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. "KFC dances to beat of familiar drummers". The Empire Carpet Guy, of course. The Smithe sisters now serve as the face of the firm, offering a female perspective that better reflects the company, the industry and the country today.
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