Walter E. Smithe Jr. Obituary. Business Profile for Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca. 1 Early life; 2 Television; 3 Personal Life; 4 References; . Colleen loved being able to point out that her dad and uncles, Mark and Tim, brainstormed and executed the ideas themselves. Colleen Smithe, Director of Advertising If you find the right furniture, it will last even through your kids, Colleen says. 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. "People really did love seeing them on their TVs.". Born in the heart of Chicago, we're a family owned and operated local business since 1945, now four generations strong. There is no rule book that says they all need to matchmetals always compliment one another. 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. "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. Tim offered Walt brotherly support after a just-completed scene. Home Cities Chicago Meet the Smithe Sisters, The new generation is shaking things up at furniture icon Walter E. Smithe. The best commercial -- at least the one viewers relished -- featured this grating kid getting hit in the face with a pie. Darvin is always yelling about discounts. Explore. (Last year, Walter E. Smithe resurrected the 1950s-era cartoon that was a holiday staple on WGN-Ch. Walter E. Smithe also is changing up its ads. Their camaraderie is genuine, and they can easily share ideas and bounce between conversations. 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." So much misogyny in these comments, their commercials have always been cheesy and annoying. Additional partnerships with the likes of Cynthia Rowley and Ellen Degeneres have exposed the company to a new customer base. 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. The process starts with Tim Smithe, Pam Thorson (the company's director of advertising) and director/editor Bill O'Neil of O'Neil Productions of Wilmette. Oct 2012 - Apr 20152 years 7 months. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years," Meghan said. View a map of participating First Friday locations. Subscribe to one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, and opportunities in Chicago. The new generation of Smithes are featured in the company's new advertising. 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. 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. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design (Old Orchard) 17 miles. "What about you and your sisters?". Find out where to go, what to eat, where to live, and more. USA. The are the Smithe sisters, Meghan, Colleen, Maureen and Caitie. "There are still people who ask us, 'Where are the brothers? Since 1945, we have been Chicago's local source for quality furniture and expert 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. Smithe then went into the computer industry working for General Electric and IBM in 1967, according to his obit. Reaching a younger demographic and expanding their clientele has required some creativity, the sisters said. Visit Website (opens in new window) Walter E. Smithe. It worked really well for a long time, but post-recession, we saw peoples sensibilities had changed, says Meghan. portalId: "6766057", They look hungry. Walter E. Smithe Jr. also earned a master's degree in Anthropology at Loyola University Chicago in 1980. We refer to Smithe.com as our 12th store, since many of our clients are doing their research online before coming to see us in person.. After college, all three gravitated back to the family business, which was founded by their father. As the oldest sibling, Maureen was the first to officially join Walter E. Smithe in a professional capacity in 2004. Assuming your a dude your not supposed to understand the commercials. I gave up sleep and TV, Maureen jokes. 1428, hollyhunt.com) has expanded its Great Plains textile offering with the Foreign Affair collection, which has a mix of warm and cool neutrals. "That's F-A-M-E, with an E". Caitie Smithe is aDesigner, Design Coordinator + Stylist atWalter E. Smithe Furniture + Design. But now a new generationsisters Meghan, Colleen, Maureen, and Caitie . [7], Chicagoans have had mixed reactions to the Walter E. Smithe commercials. The Walter E. Smithe + Jeff Lewis showcase certainly fits the bill. "[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". "It almost feels like the business is, in a weird way, a member of the family. "We're kind of strategically positioned in different departments," Meghan said. One by one, each sister began working in the family business. It's not included in a shorter version now airing on TV. "By being so close and meeting so regularly, we're all in the loop with what's happening in each other's sphere. Bloomingdale Plaza. 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. Lewis Lazare. Sibling revelry; Their offbeat commercials have made the Smithe brothers cult heroes. The implication was that he was doing/looking at something inappropriate. 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 the Smithe sisters, the company has always been a piece of their identity, an integral thread of their childhood. Here, get to know this powerhouse quartet. Warehouse workers go over every piece of inventory awaiting delivery with a fine-tooth comb, looking for things an untrained eye would never see. Their advertising is creative, it's timely and it's interesting, so people remember it and they like it.". 443 were here. That collective experience comes in handy ahead of any major decisions. "They took different career paths," Tim says. 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. But even as likable as the brothers are, do they run the risk of oversaturation or going to the well too often? And youll see each of my sisters doing what they do best.. Favorite design style: Cozy and comfortableaka hygge ethos. 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.. 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 article originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Chicago Parent. The original simple jingle and slogan was perfect. There is no true balance for moms in our situation., We cant be everything all at once, Meghan says. The brothers are recognized on the street, in grocery stores and coffee shops ("I got a free Starbucks latte once," Tim says). Others have been parodies of reality television shows, such as The Apprentice and The Bachelor. Edit: I have been informed that they are the daughters, not the wives. Nah, I know a few of them. 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 two renamed the store Smithe and Shanahan, but Bill Shanahan eventually sold his share to Smithe's brother Charlie. Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up in the Northwest Side's Belmont Central neighborhood. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design is a family-owned furniture retailer, founded right here in Chicago, back in 1945. Through March 16, enjoy savings of up to 20 percent on select rugs (hopscotch, anyone?) Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. Then they brought in the wives. 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. 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. Chicago's Best Furniture and Expert Design. Favorite design style: Modern mixed with traditional. Smithe says that doing everything in-house allows them to be quick on their feet. 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. "We wanted to entertain people first, so then when we wanted to inform them they'd already be paying attention," Tim says of their advertising philosophy. 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! And they're not showbiz types. "We had a common agreement that we had the best furniture in Chicago," Tim says, "but not enough people knew about it.". That cartoon of Bob has BDE and you can't deny it. Compare how recession-proof Walter E Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. 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. 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. Over the last 13 years, one by one, Walters daughters have been hired on at Smithe as the jobs became available. Shop the clearance. Woven Roman shades, a jute rug and a blonde wood vanity usher texture and warmth into the otherwise minimalist design. Is she OK? The daughters took over the company. We don't take that lightly.". 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. At Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, we are committed to helping our clients love their homes through expert design, quality furnishings, and exemplary service. Shop now. Updating your home theater? Building upon the Smithe family legacy is a big responsibility, the sisters said, one they've embraced with fervor. "They've done a wonderful job building a distinctive brand," says Tim Calkins, a professor of marketing at Northwestern University. formId: "acc781a7-d0b4-433d-bc7f-c5bac12f3766" 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. Tim recalls Walt trying to smother him -- repeatedly, apparently -- with a bean bag chair. This began a long series of lighthearted television commercials, which became increasingly elaborate over the next few years. 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. . Were a Chicago company that was given national exposure. This initiative calls for all hands on deck. Till your hair grows back."). Like most mothers, whether theyre working or staying at home, we do what we can, she says. Over the past 76 years, the company has grown to include 10 Chicago area showrooms. 9's "Garfield Goose" and "Ray Rayner" shows. (847) 933-1481. Still, the Smithes have had to weather various challenges since joining the company, including the retirement of their uncle, Tim. View info about Walter E. Smithe Furniture (smithe.com). 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. One of the first opportunities to test their compatibility was through a partnership with interior designer and TV personality Jeff Lewis. He cites the U2 music video takeoff. Walter E. Smithe Furniture is a company located in Itasca, Illinois, United States. Itasca, IL 60143. "But these are guys who you'd go to dinner with, you know? Explore more of the publications in our portfolio here. Postpartum bladder leaks are common but there's help. We get that question all the time, and that was to be expected," Colleen said. How could they ensure the 75-year-old brand would be sustainable for decades to come? 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. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. This style is out there and we need to respond and get it on our floor. "We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". Who are the Walter E Smithe daughters? While they took breaks from the biz to make their own way after college, each came back when the right positions opened up. He entertained the youngest generation of the family playing banjo and singing folk songs such as "The Rock Island Line," and telling stories of Tiny Tim and the Magic Gumball Machine, his obit said. At-a-glance. We connect families with the best local resources, advice, stories, things to do with kids and much more. His sons, Walter, Tim, and Mark, joined the company in the 1970s and 1980s. Her sisters had fallen into their own specialties and were pursuing different paths at the time. Only a year apart in age, the lively, fast-talking Smithe sisters consider one another best friends. What she does: I make spaces beautiful for clients homes, our catalogs and showrooms, and play couples therapist for clients who cant agree on a sofa.. But the truth is, I love coming to the office. 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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. You want it to succeed and do well.". Walter E. Smithe III, is the President of family owned and operated Walter E. Smithe Furniture + Design. Walt and Tim mocked Mark's new haircut. He received a Bachelor of Philosophy in Commerce from the University of Notre Dame in 1958. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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 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. 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 . But I never forget that these are my sisters and I completely respect them. Watch. 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. Three years later, she recruited Colleen to become advertising director -- a position she accepted without hesitation. For the most part, that relationship translates well in the business world, they say. As mothers, all of us have cleaned up a childs spill, or even their vomit, from our furniture, Colleen jokes. 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. They pointed out how affordable the pieces are. "In what seems to be their unending and over-the-top zeal to self-promote, they just may be helping drive traffic," he wrote, adding, "If nothing else, the advertising suggests the chain has some suits with personality attached. Mark admonished Walt to keep his feet off the furniture. They're nice folks. 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. "We're dreamers and we have big ideas," Meghan said. The founder of well-known Chicago-area furniture company Walter E. Smithe has died, his family announced Wednesday. Walter has been known to take furniture for test drives, says Meghan. As mothers, theyve learned its not only possible, but preferable, to have a functional yet beautiful home. Were now getting calls from all over the world., Under Colleen and Meghans direction, Smithe now has a beautiful new lookbook in its marketing toolbox and a stable full of breathtaking photography, as they become the exclusive distributor for Ellen DeGeneres new furniture collection from Thomasville. While a new recession may strike a particular industry, measuring the industry and . No surprise why the quality is so crap. 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. We simply never had that conversation, Meghan says. Now its only the wives and zero about the furniture. Primary Address. Opening Day is March 30. Then they tie in pop culture it shows that they're sort of a with-it furniture company. We learned so much from these relationships, Colleen says. "It was kind of a neat way to kick off our involvement in the business as a group.". We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and stage of life. We can be real nimble when we're this tight and this spread across the business.". Haute Living is a network of luxury publications with bimonthly regional editions in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco. As the fourth generation to run their family-owned Chicago furniture store, Walter. Take dress up and glam up a notch with a self-care day at this luxurious spa for kids and tweens. The Empire Carpet Guy, of course. between Scott Ave. and Tower Rd., Winnetka, shophwdd.com) hosts a First Friday event on the North Shore. The Itasca-based company has 10 locations across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, where the sisters ply their fourth-generation talents. 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. Feb 20, 2022 - The 4th generation of Walter E. Smithe family stops by to visit Bob and Marianne. And Amy is a singer and songwriter. Also would somebody please feed them? Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design, - Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design, Paddock Publications, Inc. is an Employee-Owned Company. Create Comparison. 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. I havent seen the Tile Outlet lady in a while!! I dont think anyone in the furniture industry does advertising well. We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.".

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