Ask how we can add diversity to your supply chain. "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. 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. 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.". Cindy went to college in Iowa and settled there after school. 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. Take dress up and glam up a notch with a self-care day at this luxurious spa for kids and tweens. 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. The slogans "You dream it, we build it", or "That's Smithe, with an E" are commonly used. 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 businesss namesakeand the sisters uncles, Mark and Tim. When they get a topic, Smithe says, he tries to figure a way to blend it into an ad. Spoken like the daughter of a true "shop owner," as her father Walter E. Smithe III, president of the eponymous furniture retailer calls himself. Bloomingdale Plaza. Walter E. Smithe Furniture founder, Walter E. Smithe Jr., dies at 86 Watch. This began a long series of lighthearted television commercials, which became increasingly elaborate over the next few years. I presented my ideas for this two weeks ago and it will be out on the floor in three weeks. Caitie Smithe is aDesigner, Design Coordinator + Stylist atWalter E. Smithe Furniture + Design. Thats fast, but it shows what we can do. The Smithe boys started out in a tiny ranch house in Des Plaines, the children of Walter Jr. and Florence. "It's made us focus on what we do best, which is designing our clients' homes," he said. The company offer of a free DVD generated a huge response, and more than 60,000 were given away.). Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Linly Designs, Rieke Office Interiors, 57st Design. Also would somebody please feed them? Walter E. Smithe is a family business in every sense of the word, the sisters say. 1251 West Thorndale Avenue. The Bob's puppet is a far better actor than the Smithe girls though. My sisters and I loved being a part of it.. "We're not your parents' furniture company," Caitie said. 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 are the Smithe sisters, Meghan, Colleen, Maureen and Caitie. Walter e smithe is a high end furniture store, no surprise their ads are geared towards middle aged women from high income households aka suburban moms. I dont think anyone in the furniture industry does advertising well. We not only respect this, we embrace it.. As their father, the company president, has told customers for decades, Life is too short to sit on uncomfortable furniture.. Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design Reviews - Glassdoor Read on to find out more about pelvic floor therapy and how it's growing in popularity among postpartum women. It said he passed away peacef Find out where to go, what to eat, where to live, and more. The commercials are created in-house. Determine whether Walter E. Smithe Furniture grew or shrank during the last recession. Margie, who used to be a buyer for Smithe, moved to St. Louis with her husband, who worked for Anheuser-Busch's ad agency. They've relaunched catalogs showcasing their furniture in fully designed spaces. 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! Like most mothers, whether theyre working or staying at home, we do what we can, she says. Moms of 17 juggle the Chicago-based family business Favorite design style: Cozy and comfortableaka hygge ethos. Smithe Family Takeover - Country Magazine Walter e smithe daughters. Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up in the Northwest Side's Belmont Central neighborhood. "As furniture commercials go, what the Smithes are doing is great," he says. A family affair: How four sisters are bringing a 75-year-old store into Walter E. Smithe Jr's death was announced Thursday on the company's Facebook page. Kneen & Co. (399 W. Fullerton Pkwy., Ste. The sisters laughed at hearing this family adage, knowing that home furnishing has been woven into the tapestry of their lives. Colleen Smithe - Director of Advertising - Walter E. Smithe Furniture View info about Walter E. Smithe Furniture (smithe.com). Walter E Smithe Daughters - Aniya Hendrix Trends "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. Visit Website (opens in new window) Walter E. Smithe. How, they wondered, would longtime customers respond to four new female faces on their television screens? Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. "[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. "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.". The first order of business: ditch the longstanding, highly recognizable ad campaign featuring their father and two uncles. 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. McCarthy was married to grandson of Walter E. Smithe, Timothy Smithe Jr. in Paris, France in June of 2013. . 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. Born in the heart of Chicago, we're a family owned and operated local business since 1945, now four generations strong. Edited to add: Looked them up and gee, it's one of the daughters managing the marketing. Spoken like the daughter of a true shop owner, as her father Walter E. Smithe III, president of the eponymous furniture retailer calls himself. Opening Day is March 30. Walter E. Smithe Trade In Sale - YouTube "There are still people who ask us, 'Where are the brothers? Even if you weren't sure that Walt, Tim and Mark Smithe were brothers -- yep, those Smithe brothers, of "Walter E. Smithe, you dream it, we build it" fame -- their banter at a recent commercial shoot was a dead giveaway. CHICAGO (CBS) -- Walter Edward Smithe Jr., the founder of Chicago's Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86. They were each only a year apart, at one point covering all four grade levels at Barrington High School. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). hbspt.forms.create({ Kyla McCarthy - EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki Meghan and Colleen spent several years working at advertising agencies in Chicago. Smithe guy Walt actually Walter Smithe III 45 is president and general manager of the. You may also light a candle in honor of Walter E. Smithe Jr. or send a beautiful flower arrangement to the funeral . The inky accents create a sleek statement against the white walls and lend a streamlined look to the space. [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. 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. 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 . Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. is headquartered in Itasca, IL. Tomorrow, Hubbard Woods Design District (Green Bay Rd. "And they've been able to personalize a retail chain through the use of the brothers. They hammer out a script, call in O'Neil and start filming. 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. Weird. Favorite design style: Clean and neutral. I love incorporating an unexpected element into a room. The Smithe sisters, all in their thirties, worked in the family business as teens but pursued different career paths in adulthood. This led to the development of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. walter e smithe. Walter E. SMITHE: Employee Directory | ZoomInfo.com First there were the brothers. Now the Walter E. Smithe - Pinterest Caitie was a manufacturers' representative before becoming a stay-at-home mom. College was a turning point for the sisters, who now call one another their best friends. Eric Clark email address & phone number | Walter E. Smithe Furniture Three years later, she recruited Colleen to become advertising director -- a position she accepted without hesitation. In recent years, Smithe enjoyed his time with extended family. Updating your home theater? 9's "Garfield Goose" and "Ray Rayner" shows. As mothers, theyve learned its not only possible, but preferable, to have a functional yet beautiful home. "We're custom, so we can create everything, but we need to get the right mix out there to give people ideas," said Meghan Smithe, the company's director of marketing. They're nice folks. At Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, we are committed to helping our clients love their homes through expert design, quality furnishings, and exemplary service. Chicago, IL. 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. To their delight, the reaction to that initial campaign was primarily positive, as has been the case for every commercial they've produced since. 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. "Some dabbled and moved on and others just weren't interested.". If you are ready to get grown-up furniture, this place has a very nice selection, with helpful staff who can guide you toward the proper colors, scale, and what looks nice together. Walter E. Smithe Furniture: Contact Details and Business Profile 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 . "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. Compare how recession-proof Walter E. Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. Currently, there are 3 generations involved in the business: Walter Smithe Jr is retired, but regularly visits the showrooms. My hope is to inspire people to slow down enough to talk with a designer and hopefully buy something.. . 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. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The chemistry among this familial foursome is something parents can only hope for from their children. It was like the empire jingle. If you find the right furniture, it will last even through your kids, Colleen says. We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and. Reviews on Outlet Walter E Smithe in Glendale Heights, IL 60139 - Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, Toms Price Home, The Dump Furniture Outlet, Ashley HomeStore, The RoomPlace, Roy's Furniture, Domicile The Itasca-based company has 10 locations across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, where the sisters ply their fourth-generation talents. Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture, dies at 86 "Smithes have fun at the old ballpark". 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. 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. / CBS Chicago. Were really excited about this program, explains Meghan. My sisters and I represent the viewpoint of our younger clientele, Meghan says. Meet The Walter E. Smithe Furniture Sisters - Luxe - Design Or using a new high-tech application to keep couch fabric truly worry free from childrens spills, everything from spaghetti sauce to Kool-Aid. 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. I'm a brand manager and their commercials make the brand seem like a discount bin. Business Profile for Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca. In some of the footage, youll see my dad installing a dimmer or my uncle driving a truck. What are they up to?' portalId: "6766057", And it's those commercials, always informative and usually silly, that have the Smithe brothers walking in the footsteps of Linn Burton and the Empire Carpet Guy as Chicago TV commercial icons. Main Telephone (630) 285-8000. The company makes, sells, and repairs furniture, specializing in custom upholstery, and operates ten showrooms throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. 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. The 4th generation (Walter III's daughters) join the business after careers in their respective fields; Maureen in 2002, Meghan in 2014, Caitie in 2015, and Colleen in 2016. About. "And a woman was there with her daughter, and she nudged her and I heard her say, 'That's the Walter E. Smithe guy.' Its no longer that way.. It worked really well for a long time, but post-recession, we saw peoples sensibilities had changed, says Meghan. But shes quick to point out that the business is still very much a multigenerational effort, noting that their 81-year-old grandfather still regularly meets with clients. I love the one where they are drinking what looks like Tang out of wine glasses. So much misogyny in these comments, their commercials have always been cheesy and annoying. 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. walter e smithe furniture & design. 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. Warehouse workers go over every piece of inventory awaiting delivery with a fine-tooth comb, looking for things an untrained eye would never see. That's a galaxy away from the current "Star Wars" parody. (He's now semi-retired, having turned the business over to his sons about 10 years ago.). As they grew into their teens, there were the usual summer jobs -- caddying, yard work, selling ice cream from a motorized three-wheeler. While a new recession may strike a particular industry, measuring the industry and . 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. officially retires, although he still enjoys visiting showrooms and meeting clients. Over the past 76 years, the company has grown to include 10 Chicago area showrooms. "People really did love seeing them on their TVs.". Walter E. Smithe - Wikipedia 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. But repeated airings of the ad have made him and his door legendary. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86, his family said. Bob's proudly proclaims that it sells cheap garbage, Walter E looks like they're trying to sell you viagra and Penny Mustard radio commercials are justweird.. Additional partnerships with the likes of Cynthia Rowley and Ellen Degeneres have exposed the company to a new customer base.
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