The Smithe boys started out in a tiny ranch house in Des Plaines, the children of Walter Jr. and Florence. "They've done a wonderful job building a distinctive brand," says Tim Calkins, a professor of marketing at Northwestern University. "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. and runners at CB2 (800 W. North Ave., cb2.com). 9615 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077. Since 1945 the company has . Bloomingdale Plaza. They hammer out a script, call in O'Neil and start filming. Walter E. SMITHE corporate office is located in 1775 W Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, Illinois, 60004, United States and has 382 employees. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. Hope, once a Smithe designer and store manager, now lives in Colorado with her husband. "They were loved," said Colleen Smithe, the youngest daughter of Walter Smithe III. "Staying fresh, young . My wife and I were just talking about this yesterday, we truly hate the Walter E Smithe commercials with the daughters. Timothy Smithe Jr. (m. 2013-2018) Kyla Lynn McCarthy (born October 8, 1986) is the daughter of politician and former Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy. "I think it's time for us to get out of these TV commercials," Walter said. As Caitie puts it, Theres no reason you cant use an entertainment console as a buffet in the dining room.. 443 were here. 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. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. Draftfcb. As mothers, theyve learned its not only possible, but preferable, to have a functional yet beautiful home. View a map of participating First Friday locations. "But these are guys who you'd go to dinner with, you know? The Smithes stand out because they're doing silly things. While we still have traditional pieces, our showroom appeals to a number of different lifestyles. CHICAGO The founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design has died. Others have been parodies of reality television shows, such as The Apprentice and The Bachelor. How could they ensure the 75-year-old brand would be sustainable for decades to come? Smithe says that doing everything in-house allows them to be quick on their feet. Lewis Lazare. But when they finally decided to accept, they knew they needed to come up with a unique and effective way to introduce themselves to the Chicago market as the new faces of Walter E. Smithe. (847) 933-1481. walter e smithe furniture inc. 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 . "It almost feels like the business is, in a weird way, a member of the family. E. Smithe sisters Caitie, Colleen, Meghan and Maureen were introduced to the business at a young age. 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. "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 are the Smithe sisters, Meghan, Colleen, Maureen and Caitie. 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. We get that question all the time, and that was to be expected," Colleen said. between Scott Ave. and Tower Rd., Winnetka, shophwdd.com) hosts a First Friday event on the North Shore. Were really excited about this program, explains Meghan. This began a long series of lighthearted television commercials, which became increasingly elaborate over the next few years. "An hour and a half. He was still spending weekends at Smithe furniture showrooms until recently and he volunteered for many years for Habitat for Humanity, building houses in the U.S. and Central America. In fact, none of the sisters seriously considered having a career in the company, founded by their great-grandfather in 1945. In the 1970s Walter left Smithe and Shanahan (His brothers remained with the original company) to start his own company - Walter E. Smithe. 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. Oct 2012 - Apr 20152 years 7 months. 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. However, Lewis Lazare, the Chicago Sun-Times' advertising critic, has defended the commercials. Explore more of the publications in our portfolio here. - 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. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design is a family-owned furniture retailer, founded right here in Chicago, back in 1945. Kneen & Co. (399 W. Fullerton Pkwy., Ste. Our dad always put an emphasis on hard work, and it stuck with us.. The Itasca-based company has 10 locations across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, where the sisters ply their fourth-generation talents. This style is out there and we need to respond and get it on our floor. 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. Smithe then went into the computer industry working for General Electric and IBM in 1967, according to his obit. I think people felt sorry for me, assuming that I wasnt getting any sleep and having to come to work every day, says Maureen. The new generation of Smithes are featured in the company's new advertising. 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 . "And of course this summer's blockbuster is supposed to be `Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.' My hope is to inspire people to slow down enough to talk with a designer and hopefully buy something.. They've been able to weather the unexpected storm of the coronavirus pandemic. Today, they help oversee 10 showrooms, the warehouse and headquarters, working together (generally) perfectly. Visit Website (opens in new window) Walter E. Smithe. formId: "acc781a7-d0b4-433d-bc7f-c5bac12f3766" You could say that the Smithes are a bit obsessed with quality. 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. 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. Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Linly Designs, Rieke Office Interiors, 57st Design. Shop the clearance. That cartoon of Bob has BDE and you can't deny it. Favorite design style: Modern mixed with traditional. Woven Roman shades, a jute rug and a blonde wood vanity usher texture and warmth into the otherwise minimalist design. "If we'd done that with a large agency, it would have been flying people in from New York and storyboards and approvals along the way," he says. Industry: Home Furniture & Housewares Stores. But I never forget that these are my sisters and I completely respect them. The daughters took over the company. She is a celebrity who is genuinely interested in how her furniture will do and be perceived, Maureen says. getting a penny or nickel for every clearance tag we pulled," says Meghanthe four daughters of Walter Smithe III have . Nothing will be worse than the commercials they ran the last time the Cicadas were in season. Get 5 free searches. 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. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. The founder of well-known Chicago-area furniture company Walter E. Smithe has died, his family announced Wednesday. Walter E. Smithe Jr. also earned a master's degree in Anthropology at Loyola University Chicago in 1980. That collective experience comes in handy ahead of any major decisions. Calkins says that by minimizing production costs and media costs and doing those quick turnarounds, Smithe gets a bigger bang for its advertising buck. Its nice to see when a family is ready to replace a well-loved piece that they come back to Smithe to do it. To date, there are 10 Smithe stores scattered throughout Chicago, and one in northwest Indiana. 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. They're nice folks. "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. Someone really needs a new marketing director/CMO/agency because they do not know what they are doing. 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. 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. What are they up to?' The Smithe family announced that their patriarch died this past Sunday with his wife of 64 years, Florence Flynn Smithe, by his side. We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". You have this sense of passion and responsibility for it. (Last year, Walter E. Smithe resurrected the 1950s-era cartoon that was a holiday staple on WGN-Ch. 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. / CBS Chicago. 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. Then he and Thorson meet with his brothers and throw ideas around. Since 1945, we have been Chicago's local source for quality furniture and expert design. My sisters and I loved being a part of it.. Billy Corgan and Walter E. Smithe Wrestling. Walt and Tim mocked Mark's new haircut. The campaign was inspired in part by a partnership with designer/house-flipper Jeff Lewis of the Bravo show Flipping Out. 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. "It's never gone completely crazy -- no one can say that one commercial will bring customers in -- but we kind of thought it re-established us in the marketplace. There's a certain time and simplicity factor, so from the time of the idea to the time we shoot it can be as short as a week.". We don't take that lightly.". Postpartum bladder leaks are common but there's help. There's a lot of blurred lines, and we have to learn when to defer to each other.". This led to the development of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. 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. Then the commercial came on. The chemistry among this familial foursome is something parents can only hope for from their children. ("You should keep that hat on for about three weeks. Assuming your a dude your not supposed to understand the commercials. "We were kind of like dorks, geeks, growing up," Mark says. And they wanted a way to build the brand. To the Smithe sisters, the company has always been a piece of their identity, an integral thread of their childhood. 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. He attended the University of Notre Dame and earned a bachelor 's . Meghan was hired in 2013 and now serves as director of sales strategy. "He'd come up from behind and drop in it on us," Tim says. 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. The brothers spend most of their time in the company's Itasca headquarters, which also serves as a warehouse, customer service center and point of departure for the fleet of Smithe trucks. The company makes, sells, and repairs furniture, . Caitie was a manufacturers' representative before becoming a stay-at-home mom. The first order of business: ditch the longstanding, highly recognizable ad campaign featuring their father and two uncles. Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design. Shop the Sofa Sale. "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. '", "I was at a gym on a treadmill," Mark says of the first time he caught one of the commercials. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. And I thought, `makeup and lighting. While it may not be usable 365 days a year, the days that your outdoor space are in fact usable should be embraced. The original simple jingle and slogan was perfect. And Mark, 40, is Smithe's general counsel; he and his partner live in Lincoln Park with Petey, a 4-year-old bulldog. Margie, who used to be a buyer for Smithe, moved to St. Louis with her husband, who worked for Anheuser-Busch's ad agency. I was probably in elementary school when I would come in to work in the warehouse sweeping for a nickel Colleen says. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years," Meghan said. [4], Many of Walter E. Smithe's commercials have been pop culture parodies. 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. Itasca, IL 60143. portalId: "6766057", They've transitioned into the spotlight. "Pam, Bill and I are always on the watch for pop culture. "We had a common agreement that we had the best furniture in Chicago," Tim says, "but not enough people knew about it.". Darvin is always yelling about discounts. Cindy went to college in Iowa and settled there after school. Its a tough balance, but I like figuring out the retail puzzle.. The four women have been taking on bigger roles at the company and star in its new ad. 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 . William Hageman and Tribune staff reporter. 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. 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. You can still be a fun premium brand (Virgin, for example) but this is Family Dollar-type schtick. His daughters were hesitant at first, questioning whether they were ready for such a responsibility. Find locations. The company has become known over the years in particular for its quirky TV commercials Chicago TV viewers have long known the jingle, "Walter E. Smithe, you dream it we build it." The Smithes: (L-R) Colleen, Meghan, Walter III, Walter Jr., Mark, Caitie, and Maureen. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Hell stand on things, jump on them, do his best to break dining chairs. Nearby is a mangled lamp that will never find its way to a Smithe showroom floor. Now its only the wives and zero about the furniture. Tim recalls Walt trying to smother him -- repeatedly, apparently -- with a bean bag chair. 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. "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. Were not trying to portray an image that working mothers can pull off everything without something falling through, Maureen says candidly. The Smithe sisters are working to expose the brand to a new customer base Photo credit: Robin Subar. Smithe's wife of 64 years was by his side when he passed, and he . Unlike their brothers, they chose other careers. Bringing new and various textures into a room can take it from plain and lacking in interest to exciting and memorable. By last year, though, each had returned to the company their great-grandfather founded. "We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe (smithe.com) siblings-on-a-couch commercials. Their camaraderie is genuine, and they can easily share ideas and bounce between conversations. "And I'd be yelling, `I can't breathe! The 86-year-old patriarch of the Smithe family, Walter Edward Smithe Jr., "died . "With a strategy to continue Smithe parodies of relevant topics, really, the future is limitless," he says. "As needs within the business grew, positions opened up organically," Maureen said. 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. This article originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Chicago Parent. As mothers, all of us have cleaned up a childs spill, or even their vomit, from our furniture, Colleen jokes. The Smithe sisters have heard it all before, and they've set out to dispel those misperceptions. USA. The company began in 1945 as Tone Appliances and Furniture, a single store on Belmont Avenue in Chicago. The first change I noticed was it became all about the sons. Walter E. Smithe Jr. died peacefully at age 86, his family said in a prepared statement. I love the attention I get as a local celebrity," Mark says. Over the last 13 years, one by one, Walters daughters have been hired on at Smithe as the jobs became available. 9's "Garfield Goose" and "Ray Rayner" shows. 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. "It's made us focus on what we do best, which is designing our clients' homes," he said. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86, his family said. Their dad, the company's president, continued filming his signature ads with his brother, Mark, for a short period of time, Colleen said. We've got the radar out for that," Tim Smithe says. For instance, finding that perfect piece of decorative furniture that creatively doubles as a toy box for kids games, toys and video devices. As they grew into their teens, there were the usual summer jobs -- caddying, yard work, selling ice cream from a motorized three-wheeler. "It was kind of a neat way to kick off our involvement in the business as a group.". 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. 1251 West Thorndale Avenue. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. While a new recession may strike a particular industry, measuring the industry and . }); Chicago Parent is Chicagolands trusted parenting hub since 1984. He received a Bachelor of Philosophy in Commerce from the University of Notre Dame in 1958. Currently, there are 3 generations involved in the business: Walter Smithe Jr is retired, but regularly visits the showrooms. Meghan Smithe was on maternity leave when she began working part time in the family business, long known for its infectious jingle: You dream it, we build it.. 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. She has a few ideas for how to add a little spring to your home. The Walter E. Smithe + Jeff Lewis showcase certainly fits the bill. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Regarded as top performer within the account and the Agency, as a result of consistent over-delivery, passion to grow the business . Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up in the Northwest Side's Belmont Central neighborhood. They decided on an ad campaign that would, simply, pitch their product. The company makes, sells, and repairs furniture, specializing in custom upholstery, and operates ten showrooms throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. "And a woman was there with her daughter, and she nudged her and I heard her say, 'That's the Walter E. Smithe guy.' When the boys took over from their father, there were about a half-dozen stores. I gave up sleep and TV, Maureen jokes. "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.". 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. For people who are in their 40s and have families, that's how brothers act around each other when they get together. Also would somebody please feed them? They're not egomaniacs. Additional partnerships with the likes of Cynthia Rowley and Ellen Degeneres have exposed the company to a new customer base. One of the first opportunities to test their compatibility was through a partnership with interior designer and TV personality Jeff Lewis. Then when I plugged it in, the place went up for grabs. Updating your home theater? Caitie Smithe, Designer and Stylist. [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]. A new collection at Holly Hunt, discounts at EuroFurniture, a First Friday event at Hubbard Woods Design District, and more. 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. Brothers Walt, Tim and Mark Smithe -- the faces of Walter E. Smithe Furniture -- seem to have hit on something with their ubiquitous ads. Dazzling Divas Glam Mansion Offers the Ultimate Diva Experience, Family Guide to Attending a Chicago Cubs Game at Wrigley Field, Pelvic Floor Therapy Growing in Popularity for Women, 10 Non-Candy Items for Your Kids Easter Basket. ", Instead they talk about the U2/iTunes takeoff, the brothers' version of "The Apprentice" or the Olympic parody from last year. Hotel Mousai Puerto Vallarta, Room Request: Four Seasons Hotel Bogota Casa Medina, New Restaurants and Bars in New York City, Clare V., Mulberry and More New Retail Openings in NYC, Tony Robbins Challenge to Provide 1 Billion Meals Nears its Goal, Get behind-the-scenes pictures on Instagram.