hbspt.forms.create({ Relevant. You may also light a candle in honor of Walter E. Smithe Jr. or send a beautiful flower arrangement to the funeral . But the truth is, I love coming to the office. 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. It was an organic transition for each of us, says Colleen, the youngest sister. "It almost feels like the business is, in a weird way, a member of the family. Draftfcb. 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. Even their more than 250 employees are treated like family. We all trickled back in, and it happened really organically, says Meghan of the industrious quartet, who collectively has 17 children. The 86-year-old patriarch of the Smithe family, Walter Edward Smithe Jr., "died . Walter Smithe III and Mark Smithe (the Smithe Brothers) are the sons of Walter Jr, and serve as President and VP/Legal Counsel, respectively. We've got the radar out for that," Tim Smithe says. 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 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. They've transitioned into the spotlight. "We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". Watch. While their father and grandfather are still actively involved in the day-to-day, the women have taken over the companys marketing, design, advertising and buying effortsand immediately went about altering brand perceptions. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years. "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. 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. What The Walter E. Smithe Daughters Do . "That's F-A-M-E, with an E". Let's go Cubbies! ("You should keep that hat on for about three weeks. Edited to add: Looked them up and gee, it's one of the daughters managing the marketing. Sibling revelry; Their offbeat commercials have made the Smithe brothers cult heroes. It's not included in a shorter version now airing on TV. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years," Meghan 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. 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. 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. Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. Marketing Contacts Contacts (5/9) Name Title State; Walter S. President & Chief Executive Officer . Visit Website (opens in new window) Walter E. Smithe. Or using a new high-tech application to keep couch fabric truly worry free from childrens spills, everything from spaghetti sauce to Kool-Aid. Warehouse workers go over every piece of inventory awaiting delivery with a fine-tooth comb, looking for things an untrained eye would never see. getting a penny or nickel for every clearance tag we pulled," says Meghanthe four daughters of Walter Smithe III have . Chicago's Best Furniture and Expert Design. 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. Smithe then went into the computer industry working for General Electric and IBM in 1967, according to his obit. But learning how to work together while also juggling their busy personal lives -- they have 18 kids among the four of them -- can be a delicate balance. Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up on the Northwest Side in Belmont Central. 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. 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.. and became working moms in different industries. From 5 to 8 p.m., select retailers will offer refreshments while highlighting unique designers. walter e smithe furniture & design. Get Eric Clark's email address (e*****@smithe.com) and phone number at RocketReach. The brothers are recognized on the street, in grocery stores and coffee shops ("I got a free Starbucks latte once," Tim says). 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. This rating has improved by 10% over the last 12 months. Ellen is very serious about design and had a definite voice in what this modern-rustic-meets-farmhouse collection would be. The Smithes stand out because they're doing silly things. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. Walter E. Smithe Jr. Obituary. A new collection at Holly Hunt, discounts at EuroFurniture, a First Friday event at Hubbard Woods Design District, and more. We learned so much from these relationships, Colleen says. For example, Meghan had to miss her sons Valentines Day party at school this year, due to work responsibilities. 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." There have been more than a thousand of them since, and thanks to the magic of cable TV he is now a national celebrity. 9's "Garfield Goose" and "Ray Rayner" shows. Get 5 free searches. Here, get to know this powerhouse quartet. Kneen & Co. (399 W. Fullerton Pkwy., Ste. - 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. As the oldest sibling, Maureen was the first to officially join Walter E. Smithe in a professional capacity in 2004. "And a woman was there with her daughter, and she nudged her and I heard her say, 'That's the Walter E. Smithe guy.' 22 miles. Walter E. Smithe and Bill Shanahan founded the store anticipating a booming economy in the wake of World War II. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe . 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. 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'd be yelling, `I can't breathe! 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. We don't take that lightly.". Meghan is director of marketing, Caitie is a designer and stylist and Colleen is director of advertising. 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. Furniture Stores. His signature line: "Linn Burton for certain!". Read the rest of the issue. We see this country chic trend currently happening as a design emergency, says Maureen. I havent seen the Tile Outlet lady in a while!! 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. (847) 933-1481. Find employees, official website, emails, phone numbers, revenue, employee headcount, social accounts, and anything related to Walter E. Smithe Furniture. The Bob's puppet is a far better actor than the Smithe girls though. The original simple jingle and slogan was perfect. Updating your home theater? The seven pieces featured in the Quincy Master Bedroom vignette below (chair, trunk . Primary Address. 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. A new book offers a primer on how to spot, seize, and exploit and create lucky breaks More, Two new must-visit hotels from Austin to Houston More, Shop Patek Philippe timepieces, Oiya bracelets and a Miami-based skincare brand More, Plan a day of relaxation at Pressed Roots and The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas More, Raise a glass to our favorite new French-inspired bistros, charming piano bars and bold Italian eateries in Manhattan More, From shoes to handbags, here are the new boutiques to visit in New York City More, The best-selling author, entrepreneur and global philanthropist continues a push with Feeding America to provide 1 billion meals More, Were Over The Moon About This New Travel Registry, 2022 Holiday Gift Guide: The Best Edible Presents, Room Request! The answer -- and the sisters' secret to success -- can be summed up in three key words: Fresh. After college, all three gravitated back to the family business, which was founded by their father. [4][5] In 2008, they filmed and edited a takeoff of the Sex and the City franchise, with the brothers sipping "Smithe-o-politans". "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. 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.". - 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. Mix together different, but complimentary, elements such as woods, metals and stonesand feel free to mix various metals together. "We're all rolling up our sleeves and getting dirty. While it may not be usable 365 days a year, the days that your outdoor space are in fact usable should be embraced. Building upon the Smithe family legacy is a big responsibility, the sisters said, one they've embraced with fervor. Now, a lot more people know about us than knew a few years ago.". "They took different career paths," Tim says. Colleen loved being able to point out that her dad and uncles, Mark and Tim, brainstormed and executed the ideas themselves. When they get a topic, Smithe says, he tries to figure a way to blend it into an ad. - Lynn Hauldren: Who? 1428, hollyhunt.com) has expanded its Great Plains textile offering with the Foreign Affair collection, which has a mix of warm and cool neutrals. 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 View info about Walter E. Smithe Furniture (smithe.com). Plus, they seem like nice guys. The founder of well-known Chicago-area furniture company Walter E. Smithe has died, his family announced Wednesday. "They were loved," said Colleen Smithe, the youngest daughter of Walter Smithe III. Tim offered Walt brotherly support after a just-completed scene. The commercials are created in-house. 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. Billy Corgan and Walter E. Smithe Wrestling. The Smithe sisters now serve as the face . 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. Favorite design style: Cozy and comfortableaka hygge ethos. But even as likable as the brothers are, do they run the risk of oversaturation or going to the well too often? And then fate gently tapped them on their shoulder. "Case in point, I was just this morning sketching out my first ideas for The Three Tenors, featuring, of course, the Smithe brothers in a coliseum. We can be real nimble when we're this tight and this spread across the business.". The Smithe sisters are working to expose the brand to a new customer base Photo credit: Robin Subar. '", "I was at a gym on a treadmill," Mark says of the first time he caught one of the commercials. The inky accents create a sleek statement against the white walls and lend a streamlined look to the space. There is nothing like a day spent soaking up the sun and a good book or an evening with friends and good food and drinks under the stars. walter e smithe furniture inc. Visit . - 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 was a natural fit, she said. Through March 16, enjoy savings of up to 20 percent on select rugs (hopscotch, anyone?) Walter E. Smithe Jr's death was announced Thursday on the company's Facebook page. ("Did you notice he used the wide-angle lens when he shot your [rear end]?"). In recent years, Smithe enjoyed his time with extended family. Others have been parodies of reality television shows, such as The Apprentice and The Bachelor. Tim, 41, is the vice president of sales; he and his wife have four kids and live in Winnetka. Am I the only one who just thinks he looks like Louis CK? Colleen Smithe, Director of Advertising During a stint in the Army, Smithe attained the rank of captain and became an expert in the field of computers. My hope is to inspire people to slow down enough to talk with a designer and hopefully buy something.. In the late '60s, the growing family -- there are also four sisters, Cindy, Margie and . "As needs within the business grew, positions opened up organically," Maureen said. The new generation of Smithes are featured in the company's new advertising. And Amy is a singer and songwriter. "But these are guys who you'd go to dinner with, you know? 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. 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. Thats fast, but it shows what we can do. "[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. 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. Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design. Hauldren -- an advertising copywriter who created the character -- first appeared in the ads in 1973. One spot was modeled after Apple's weird commercials. It was like the empire jingle. Business Profile for Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca. So is there a `Wally and the Sofa Factory' in our future?". 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.
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