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That was the extent of his pitchman career. Chicago, IL. - 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. 177 East Army Trail Road, Glendale Heights, IL 60139. 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. "And of course this summer's blockbuster is supposed to be `Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.' Born in the heart of Chicago, we're a family owned and operated local business since 1945, now four generations strong. When the boys took over from their father, there were about a half-dozen stores. In a new seven-minute "Smithe Family Makeover" video, you'll only see one Smithe brother and you'll only hear the new version of the familiar jingle if you watch all the way through to the credits. walter e smithe, furniture stores near me, ballinger vase buy, gold side end table, tall mirror, walter e smithe daughters, furniture . 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. It was founded by Walter Edward Smithe and Bill Shanahan in 1945. They seem very pretentious I think. "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. "But we've also gotten some really nice feedback from people who are happy to see four working women on their TV.". Nothing is left unchanged, Meghan notes. 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. For the most part, that relationship translates well in the business world, they say. Nothing will be worse than the commercials they ran the last time the Cicadas were in season. Edit: I have been informed that they are the daughters, not the wives. He attended the University of Notre Dame and earned a bachelor 's . Start shopping. Customers were more concerned with what we were selling versus the people who were selling it, she adds. Sometimes it does not pay to work with family. Business Profile for Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca. "Instead we did it on the turn of a dime. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. I'm so annoyed that I won't buy anything from there. Give yourself time to just be in a comfortable and beautiful outdoor space. A few bucks later, the clunker is off to Victory's Bensenville lot. 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. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years," Meghan said. Let's go Cubbies! The store, which has 10 locations in the Chicago area, has been open for nearly 75 years and has faced all the challenges of . Lewis Lazare. "It was kind of a neat way to kick off our involvement in the business as a group.". Determine whether Walter E. Smithe Furniture grew or shrank during the last recession. Holly Hunt (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Ste. Read the rest of the issue. The company's commercials were originally straightforward descriptions of their products and services, but in 2003, the brothers decided to include outtakes from past filmings, which showed the brothers stumbling over words and laughing at each other. To see these serious, stuffy guys laughing and having fun someone yelled out, `You should use that as a commercial. This is not how you attract a premium buyer or build a premium brand. "It's always positive, and it's nice to be part of it. Their advertising is creative, it's timely and it's interesting, so people remember it and they like it.". Her sisters had fallen into their own specialties and were pursuing different paths at the time. 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." If you grew up in Chicago, you can probably hum it. She has a few ideas for how to add a little spring to your home. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe (smithe.com) siblings-on-a-couch commercials. Favorite design style: Clean and neutral. 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. 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. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs Walter E. Maureen in 2002 Meghan in 2014 Caitie in 2015 and Colleen in 2016. What The Walter E. Smithe Daughters Do . From 5 to 8 p.m., select retailers will offer refreshments while highlighting unique designers. 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. We connect families with the best local resources, advice, stories, things to do with kids and much more. Who are these guys? The commercials were being shot at a studio in Northfield and would result in enough footage for dozens of TV ads to appear over the next six months. He began working in the . Even with little ones underfoot, the Smithe sisters make balancing their family furniture business and their growing broods look effortless. Unlike their brothers, they chose other careers. }); Chicago Parent is Chicagolands trusted parenting hub since 1984. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Were really excited about this program, explains Meghan. And Mark, 40, is Smithe's general counsel; he and his partner live in Lincoln Park with Petey, a 4-year-old bulldog. Caitie Smithe, Designer and Stylist. "And a woman was there with her daughter, and she nudged her and I heard her say, 'That's the Walter E. Smithe guy.' between Scott Ave. and Tower Rd., Winnetka, shophwdd.com) hosts a First Friday event on the North Shore. "Smithes have fun at the old ballpark". Shop the Sofa Sale. "So that drove us, I think, to be successes.". No outside agency required. They can really do great things. The chemistry among this familial foursome is something parents can only hope for from their children. 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. Hope, once a Smithe designer and store manager, now lives in Colorado with her husband. As mothers, all of us have cleaned up a childs spill, or even their vomit, from our furniture, Colleen jokes. "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. "As furniture commercials go, what the Smithes are doing is great," he 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. Since 1945 the company has . Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. Marketing Contacts Contacts (5/9) Name Title State; Walter S. President & Chief Executive Officer . Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design (Old Orchard) 17 miles. Updating your home theater? Smithe's wife of 64 years was by his side when he passed, and he . The implication was that he was doing/looking at something inappropriate. It also featured an appearance by Dutchie Caray, wife of the late Cubs announcer Harry Caray. 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 . Thats fast, but it shows what we can do. 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. Find employees, official website, emails, phone numbers, revenue, employee headcount, social accounts, and anything related to Walter E. Smithe Furniture. But now a new generationsisters Meghan, Colleen, Maureen, and Caitie . We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and stage of life. Over the last 13 years, one by one, Walters daughters have been hired on at Smithe as the jobs became available. Meghan was hired in 2013 and now serves as director of sales strategy. The Chicago native attended Fenwick High School and the University of Notre Dame. 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. Chicago magazine newsletters have you covered. Relevant. 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. "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. 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. Main Telephone (630) 285-8000. "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. - 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. 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. His sons, Walter, Tim, and Mark, joined the company in the 1970s and 1980s. Today. Find locations. 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. We understand that customers see a certain look on, say, Instagram and they want it replicated in their own home, Colleen says. Press J to jump to the feed. The brothers are recognized on the street, in grocery stores and coffee shops ("I got a free Starbucks latte once," Tim says). portalId: "6766057", 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. This has been our priority since we first began serving the Chicago area back in 1945. - 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. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe . "But these are guys who you'd go to dinner with, you know? For example, Meghan had to miss her sons Valentines Day party at school this year, due to work responsibilities. No surprise why the quality is so crap. getting a penny or nickel for every clearance tag we pulled," says Meghanthe four daughters of Walter Smithe III have . Draftfcb. My sisters and I loved being a part of it.. What are they up to?' Pinterest. 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. We had no grand plan.. Since 1945, we have been Chicago's local source for quality furniture and expert design. Timothy Smithe Jr. (m. 2013-2018) Kyla Lynn McCarthy (born October 8, 1986) is the daughter of politician and former Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy. Meghan is director of marketing, Caitie is a designer and stylist and Colleen is director of advertising. The slogans "You dream it, we build it", or "That's Smithe, with an E" are commonly used. Like their brothers, the four Smithe sisters were all in the business when they were in high school. They were each only a year apart, at one point covering all four grade levels at Barrington High School. The Smithe boys started out in a tiny ranch house in Des Plaines, the children of Walter Jr. and Florence. If you find the right furniture, it will last even through your kids, Colleen says. We see this country chic trend currently happening as a design emergency, says Maureen. The first order of business: ditch the longstanding, highly recognizable ad campaign featuring their father and two uncles. Still, the Smithes have had to weather various challenges since joining the company, including the retirement of their uncle, Tim. Sibling revelry; Their offbeat commercials have made the Smithe brothers cult heroes. In recent years, Smithe enjoyed his time with extended family. I'm a brand manager and their commercials make the brand seem like a discount bin. 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. Mix together different, but complimentary, elements such as woods, metals and stonesand feel free to mix various metals together. "We're not your parents' furniture company," Caitie said. 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. Walter e smithe daughters. Weird. The Empire Carpet Guy, of course. I presented my ideas for this two weeks ago and it will be out on the floor in three weeks. Reaching a younger demographic and expanding their clientele has required some creativity, the sisters said. She is a celebrity who is genuinely interested in how her furniture will do and be perceived, Maureen says. "By being so close and meeting so regularly, we're all in the loop with what's happening in each other's sphere. Shop now. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. 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. 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.. 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. 1251 West Thorndale Avenue. Its very much in line with our desire to offer the most beautiful pieces that are of the highest quality. It's all a part of an effort to hang on to the company's loyal customers while persuading younger shoppers that Walter E. Smithe isn't just their parent's go-to store. College was a turning point for the sisters, who now call one another their best friends. They've transitioned into the spotlight. After college, all three gravitated back to the family business, which was founded by their father. For example - my favorite large upholstered dining chairs are under $200. To the Smithe sisters, the company has always been a piece of their identity, an integral thread of their childhood. Tags: Design Controls - Facebook Instant Article, Home & Garden, Interior Design. Its unjust to think that women can somehow balance it all, Colleen adds. But one by one, they followed Maureen's lead and rejoined the family business. "That is the top priority for the four of us," Meghan Smithe said. They've been able to weather the unexpected storm of the coronavirus pandemic. "I think it's time for us to get out of these TV commercials," Walter said.