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. But they do have a business. 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. This has been our priority since we first began serving the Chicago area back in 1945. "I think it's time for us to get out of these TV commercials," Walter said. Bargain-hunters, take note: Artistica (990 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, artistica.com) has gotten a jumpstart on spring cleaning and updated its clearance selection to include more than 600 items (including custom-painted majolica backsplash panels) discounted by 50 percent. It takes work and sacrifice.. 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. Thats fast, but it shows what we can do. Walter has been known to take furniture for test drives, says Meghan. Margie, who used to be a buyer for Smithe, moved to St. Louis with her husband, who worked for Anheuser-Busch's ad agency. "Staying fresh, young . 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. 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. Visit . Woven Roman shades, a jute rug and a blonde wood vanity usher texture and warmth into the otherwise minimalist design. Currently, there are 3 generations involved in the business: Walter Smithe Jr is retired, but regularly visits the showrooms. 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. 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. / CBS Chicago. Their advertising is creative, it's timely and it's interesting, so people remember it and they like it.". Reaching a younger demographic and expanding their clientele has required some creativity, the sisters said. Edited to add: Looked them up and gee, it's one of the daughters managing the marketing. Our lives can be overrun with technology, commitments and schedules. [4], Many of Walter E. Smithe's commercials have been pop culture parodies. Then the commercial came on. 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. How, they wondered, would longtime customers respond to four new female faces on their television screens? The Smithe brothers have been described as "Chicago's most recognizable furniture purveyors", due to their ubiquitous television commercials starring themselves. 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. Since 1945 the company has . Ask how we can add diversity to your supply chain. October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM Others have been parodies of reality television shows, such as The Apprentice and The Bachelor. 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.". 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. 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. Opening Day is March 30. He cites the U2 music video takeoff. Now, a lot more people know about us than knew a few years ago.". Brothers Walt, Tim and Mark Smithe -- the faces of Walter E. Smithe Furniture -- seem to have hit on something with their ubiquitous ads. This article originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Chicago Parent. Colleen loved being able to point out that her dad and uncles, Mark and Tim, brainstormed and executed the ideas themselves. 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. Or "Hardrock, Coco and Joe." 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. "It's been about reworking how we approach visually what we want to convey about the product that we're selling," Meghan said. While it may not be usable 365 days a year, the days that your outdoor space are in fact usable should be embraced. Hauldren -- an advertising copywriter who created the character -- first appeared in the ads in 1973. It was an organic transition for each of us, says Colleen, the youngest sister. Later, both Tim and Mark were night managers at competing convenience stores, Tim at a 7-Eleven in Niles and Mark at a Park Ridge White Hen. But now a new generationsisters Meghan, Colleen, Maureen, and Caitie . Get Eric Clark's email address (e*****@smithe.com) and phone number at RocketReach. In the late '60s, the growing family -- there are also four sisters, Cindy, Margie and . Their grandfather, who is in his 80s, remains active in the company, frequently visiting showrooms and making connections with clients. Jeff Lewis's collection of vignettes is available at Walter E. Smithe's 11 showrooms in Chicago, and online. "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. She has a few ideas for how to add a little spring to your home. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. 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. Start shopping. When the boys took over from their father, there were about a half-dozen stores. They've transitioned into the spotlight. But it wasn't long before he approached his youngest daughter with a proposition. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe (smithe.com) siblings-on-a-couch commercials. The commercials are created in-house. Today, they help oversee 10 showrooms, the warehouse and headquarters, working together (generally) perfectly. The company gained national exposure from Lewis' collection, and each sister was able to shine in her own specialty. 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. "It was kind of ingrained in us," Caitie Smithe said. 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. As Caitie puts it, Theres no reason you cant use an entertainment console as a buffet in the dining room.. 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. Furniture Stores. For instance, finding that perfect piece of decorative furniture that creatively doubles as a toy box for kids games, toys and video devices. One of my friends used to live near Fullerton and Western, and she would always tell people she lived near Tile Outlet. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. He also hosted telethons. 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. walter e smithe. 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. Tomorrow, Hubbard Woods Design District (Green Bay Rd. I'm so annoyed that I won't buy anything from there. And they're not showbiz types. I always suggest going with whatever color or colors are most pleasing to you, but some big color trends this spring are oranges, pinks, sage green and pastel blue. 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. High School," Walter says. Industry: Home Furniture & Housewares Stores. "Pam, Bill and I are always on the watch for pop culture. Shop the clearance. hbspt.forms.create({ This style is out there and we need to respond and get it on our floor. 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. That cartoon of Bob has BDE and you can't deny it. Im stunned when people watch one of our makeovers and are surprised that Smithe carries so much of what they like, says Caitie. 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. Main Telephone (630) 285-8000. 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 . 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. The sisters laughed at hearing this family adage, knowing that home furnishing has been woven into the tapestry of their lives. - 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. It's not included in a shorter version now airing on TV. There's a preconceived notion that furniture stores are stuffy and tired, run by men in suits and catering to older generations. But even as likable as the brothers are, do they run the risk of oversaturation or going to the well too often? I love the one where they are drinking what looks like Tang out of wine glasses. 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. "By being so close and meeting so regularly, we're all in the loop with what's happening in each other's sphere. Three years later, she recruited Colleen to become advertising director -- a position she accepted without hesitation. In 2002 they brought in director Bill O'Neil to help them. CHICAGO The founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design has died. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. Were really excited about this program, explains Meghan. Nothing will be worse than the commercials they ran the last time the Cicadas were in season. The first change I noticed was it became all about the sons. The commercial included the tagline "Change the Name, Change the Luck", a reference to the Cubs' decades-long struggle to reach the World Series. with Maureen Smithe Brusznicki and Caitie Smithe Jisa at Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Her sisters had fallen into their own specialties and were pursuing different paths at the time. 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. From 5 to 8 p.m., select retailers will offer refreshments while highlighting unique designers. For example, Meghan had to miss her sons Valentines Day party at school this year, due to work responsibilities. "We're dreamers and we have big ideas," Meghan said. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_E._Smithe. Explore. 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. They can really do great things. officially retires, although he still enjoys visiting showrooms and meeting clients. E. Smithe sisters Caitie, Colleen, Meghan and Maureen were introduced to the business at a young age. . "[5] Of the commercials, Tim Smithe has said, "We wanted to entertain people first, so then when we wanted to inform them they'd already be paying attention". He NEVER blinks. Smithe then went into the computer industry working for General Electric and IBM in 1967, according to his obit. When Smithe makes a furniture delivery, Its not uncommon for our crews to bring a 25-year-old sofa with a Smithe sticker on it back to this warehouse, Meghan says. Since 1945, we have been Chicago's local source for quality furniture and expert design. The new generation of Smithes are featured in the company's new advertising. Shop now. [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. 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. Business Profile for Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca. As their father, the company president, has told customers for decades, Life is too short to sit on uncomfortable furniture.. We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". Postpartum bladder leaks are common but there's help. Visit Website (opens in new window) Walter E. Smithe. Regarded as top performer within the account and the Agency, as a result of consistent over-delivery, passion to grow the business . Determine whether Walter E. Smithe Furniture grew or shrank during the last recession. They got on each other's nerves and learned to talk quickly at the dinner table if they wanted to get a word in. So, somewhat reluctantly, they let themselves become the public face of Walter E. Smithe Furniture. The company began in 1945 as Tone Appliances and Furniture, a single store on Belmont Avenue in Chicago. While they took breaks from the biz to make their own way after college, each came back when the right positions opened up. Also would somebody please feed them? Compare how recession-proof Walter E. Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. Walter Smithe III and his brothers Mark and Tim helped make the furniture store a household name with clever commercials -- a tradition that's continued with Smithe III's four daughters, Colleen . Sometimes its the only quiet I get.. Subscribe for free today! And they wanted a way to build the brand. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Nah, I know a few of them. 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. We've got the radar out for that," Tim Smithe says. Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up on the Northwest Side in Belmont Central. We see this country chic trend currently happening as a design emergency, says Maureen. "Some dabbled and moved on and others just weren't interested.". Edit: I have been informed that they are the daughters, not the wives. "In a family business, everyone has to wear all hats at all times," Maureen said. 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. 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. Today. The slogans "You dream it, we build it", or "That's Smithe, with an E" are commonly used. And now with the company's 75th anniversary approaching in August, they're ready to push forward plans to expand and evolve. View info about Walter E. Smithe Furniture (smithe.com). "There are still people who ask us, 'Where are the brothers? Assuming your a dude your not supposed to understand the commercials. Mark admonished Walt to keep his feet off the furniture. 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. "And a woman was there with her daughter, and she nudged her and I heard her say, 'That's the Walter E. Smithe guy.' Mix together different, but complimentary, elements such as woods, metals and stonesand feel free to mix various metals together. Walter Smithe III and Mark Smithe (the Smithe Brothers) are the sons of Walter Jr, and serve as President and VP/Legal Counsel, respectively. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. Last year there aas a commercial where the puppet quickly moved to close his laptop when someone came in the office. "They were loved," said Colleen Smithe, the youngest daughter of Walter Smithe III. "But these are guys who you'd go to dinner with, you know? You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. This led to the development of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design is a family-owned furniture retailer, founded right here in Chicago, back in 1945. Itasca, IL 60143. [1] 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 advertising). Walt and Tim mocked Mark's new haircut. I only hear them on the radio. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years. Receive a 20 percent discount on sofas, love seats, sectionals, chaises, and more at Cassona (5241 N. Clark St., cassona.com) through March 13. Most recently, she was at . Spoken like the daughter of a true shop owner, as her father Walter E. Smithe III, president of the eponymous furniture retailer calls himself. In some of the footage, youll see my dad installing a dimmer or my uncle driving a truck. "[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. 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. 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. She is a celebrity who is genuinely interested in how her furniture will do and be perceived, Maureen says. I love incorporating an unexpected element into a room. 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!