walter e smithe daughters

The sisters get together at least twice a week, traveling from their homes in Chicago, Barrington and Riverside, leaving behind their children, husbands and home duties. "In a family business, everyone has to wear all hats at all times," Maureen said. Primary Address. Whoever said brick-and-mortar is dead hasn't met the Smithe sisters. 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. The commercials are created in-house. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1428, hollyhunt.com) has expanded its Great Plains textile offering with the Foreign Affair collection, which has a mix of warm and cool neutrals. Get Eric Clark's email address (e*****@smithe.com) and phone number at RocketReach. 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. And Amy is a singer and songwriter. It was like the empire jingle. "Pam, Bill and I are always on the watch for pop culture. Walter E. Smithe III, the company's president, and his four beautiful Their camaraderie is genuine, and they can easily share ideas and bounce between conversations. [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. 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There is no rule book that says they all need to matchmetals always compliment one another. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. Create Comparison. "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. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years," Meghan said. - Nick Celozzi and Maury Ettleson: Starting in the early '70s, they waved fistfuls of cash at TV viewers and reminded everyone that Celozzi-Ettleson Chevrolet in Elmhurst was "Where you always save more money!". Four sisters carry the Walter E. Smithe brand into the future But one by one, they followed Maureen's lead and rejoined the family business. 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. Today, they help oversee 10 showrooms, the warehouse and headquarters, working together (generally) perfectly. No surprise why the quality is so crap. She sounds annoyed that the spill isn't absorbing, like there's some insurance scheme that hinges on being able to stain this white couch. She also sees more demand for curation: Rather than walking into a store and getting an entire matching bedroom or dining set, people are mixing and matching and getting a look thats uniquely theirs., The new ED Ellen DeGeneres furniture collection (now available at all 11 Walter E. Smithe showrooms) allows for just thatand it includes versatile pieces that transcend their typical use. 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. Give yourself time to just be in a comfortable and beautiful outdoor space. Meghan can recall her pigtails bouncing as she ran through the Walter E. Smithe warehouse as a young girl, pulling sales tags in exchange for a nickel or dime from her grandfather, Walter Smithe Jr. 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. Unlike their brothers, they chose other careers. Meghan is director of marketing, Caitie is a designer and stylist and Colleen is director of advertising. ". "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. As the oldest sibling, Maureen was the first to officially join Walter E. Smithe in a professional capacity in 2004. 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. E. Smithe sisters Caitie, Colleen, Meghan and Maureen were introduced to the business at a young age. Dazzling Divas Glam Mansion Offers the Ultimate Diva Experience, Family Guide to Attending a Chicago Cubs Game at Wrigley Field, Pelvic Floor Therapy Growing in Popularity for Women, 10 Non-Candy Items for Your Kids Easter Basket. President - Walter E. Smithe Furniture + Design - LinkedIn Meghan and Colleen spent several years working at advertising agencies in Chicago. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Instead, the Smithe sisters Colleen, director of advertising; Maureen, a buyer; Caitie, a designer; and Meghan, the marketing director help a Chicago couple with tastes that sometimes clash give their town home a new look before relatives show up for a visit. I can't breathe!' '", "The business steadily increased since we started the commercials," Walt says. And Mark, 40, is Smithe's general counsel; he and his partner live in Lincoln Park with Petey, a 4-year-old bulldog. 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. The new generation of Smithes are featured in the company's new advertising. The chemistry among this familial foursome is something parents can only hope for from their children. We had no grand plan.. A family affair: How four sisters are bringing a 75-year-old store into That can help Walter E. Smithe differentiate itself from the growing number of lower-priced furniture retailers that have moved into the Chicago area in the past couple of years, Walter Smithe said. His four daughtersMaureen Megan Clarke Caitie Jisa and Colleen Parkerare now the new faces of this historic Chicago brand a spot he and his brothers held for decades. 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. This has been our priority since we first began serving the Chicago area back in 1945. Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca | Better Business Bureau Profile 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. Then he and Thorson meet with his brothers and throw ideas around. (847) 933-1481. What are they up to?' 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. William Hageman and Tribune staff reporter. Rocketreach finds email, phone & social media for 450M+ professionals. They look hungry. The Chicago native attended Fenwick High School and the University of Notre Dame. Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. is headquartered in Itasca, IL. Jeff Lewis's collection of vignettes is available at Walter E. Smithe's 11 showrooms in Chicago, and online. We not only respect this, we embrace it.. Through March 16, enjoy savings of up to 20 percent on select rugs (hopscotch, anyone?) Compare how recession-proof Walter E. Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. "Instead we did it on the turn of a dime. It was a natural fit, she said. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. For people who are in their 40s and have families, that's how brothers act around each other when they get together. Some have criticized the spots for underemphasizing Walter E. Smithe's actual furniture products. 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. Around the same time, Caitie was ready to return to the workforce as a designer and stylist, a skill she had honed early in her career. Get 5 free searches. It turned out so well that Tim carried along a copy to a speaking engagement. As they grew into their teens, there were the usual summer jobs -- caddying, yard work, selling ice cream from a motorized three-wheeler. As Caitie puts it, Theres no reason you cant use an entertainment console as a buffet in the dining room.. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. "It's a big responsibility. We feel like we can now speak to the multitude of generations who shop with us, she says. "I was invited to speak to 300-some designers in Oak Brook," he says. Am I the only one who just thinks he looks like Louis CK? 22 miles. We've got the radar out for that," Tim Smithe says. Sisters Take Smithe Spotlight, More High-End Barware, and a Sofa Sale walter e smithe furniture - inc. walter e smithe furniture. Since 1945, we have been Chicago's local source for quality furniture and expert design. High School," Walter says. Is anyone else annoyed with the new generation of Walter E Smithe So I'm speaking, and they're half listening, you know. Now its only the wives and zero about the furniture. That's a galaxy away from the current "Star Wars" parody. But I never forget that these are my sisters and I completely respect them. And then fate gently tapped them on their shoulder. Anyone got a link to the current commercial? Shop the label. Walter E. Smithe Near You in Vernon Hills, Illinois - furniture 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. 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 Walter E. Smithe also is changing up its ads. Walter E. Smithe Furniture - Employees, Contact info, Overview - Wiza It took the mother of six children a few years to figure out how to juggle her demanding career and busy home life. To make up for it, she woke up early to make heart-shaped pancakes. 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. 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 are buying a look, but they want it to feel curated and personal., Its up to Maureen and Caitie to monitor the market, make sure the showroom reflects current palettes, while staying a few steps ahead of what is currently trending. Darvin is always yelling about discounts. Start shopping. Trendwise, Caitie says the color gurus at Pantone were right on when they selected a bright shade of green as Color of the Year. As mothers, theyve learned its not only possible, but preferable, to have a functional yet beautiful home. But the sisters also know they can always turn to the leaders who came before them. 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. Calkins says that by minimizing production costs and media costs and doing those quick turnarounds, Smithe gets a bigger bang for its advertising buck. Their grandfather, who is in his 80s, remains active in the company, frequently visiting showrooms and making connections with clients. walter e smithe, furniture stores near me, ballinger vase buy, gold side end table, tall mirror, walter e smithe daughters, furniture . The Itasca-based company has 10 locations across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, where the sisters ply their fourth-generation talents. "It's been about reworking how we approach visually what we want to convey about the product that we're selling," Meghan said. Subscribe to one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, and opportunities in Chicago. Tim offered Walt brotherly support after a just-completed scene. 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. Walter E. Smithe Furniture founder, Walter E. Smithe Jr., dies at 86 How could the Itasca-based company break the mold and reach a new audience while still carrying its message into a fourth generation? What happened to the Walter E Smithe guys? - Cowetaamerican.com 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. Falling asleep. 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. We learned so much from these relationships, Colleen says. "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.". "We're dreamers and we have big ideas," Meghan said. Sometimes its the only quiet I get.. We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". They have a younger brother, who lives out of state, and plenty of younger cousins who have yet to join the team, though the sisters say there's still time. But even as likable as the brothers are, do they run the risk of oversaturation or going to the well too often? Personally, I dont want to stare at ugly furniture for all those years, Meghan says. Walter E. SMITHE: Employee Directory | ZoomInfo.com 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. "We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". "It was kind of ingrained in us," Caitie Smithe said. 9615 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077. Newlyweds can now register for exclusive honeymoon stays and experiences at 23 of Auberge Resorts Collections luxury hotels and resorts worldwide More, With two movies out this winter, the actress and producer Salma Hayek Pinault is at the top of her game More, The star of A Beautiful Noise, which just opened at the Broadhurst Theatre, is a big Neil Diamond fan More, The writer and actor makes his Broadway debut in his just-opened play Aint No Mo More, After flying high in the hit sequel Top Gun: Maverick, Glen Powell stars in the new film Devotion, out now More, It's not enough to just be smart. Industry: Home Furniture & Housewares Stores. We are a 4th generation family-owned business, and our employees are an integral part of . The Sisters Behind the Walter E. Smithe Furniture Company - DuJour hbspt.forms.create({ Main Telephone (630) 285-8000. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design - Home - Facebook Sometimes you have to act fast. We simply never had that conversation, Meghan says. 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. They seem very pretentious I think. Tim, 41, is the vice president of sales; he and his wife have four kids and live in Winnetka. So, somewhat reluctantly, they let themselves become the public face of Walter E. Smithe Furniture. 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. Chicagoans came to know and appreciate the three Smithe brothers who starred for years in quirky TV commercials touting their family-run furniture company. Smithe Parker leads Walter E. Smithe advertising She is a celebrity who is genuinely interested in how her furniture will do and be perceived, Maureen says. 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 could say that the Smithes are a bit obsessed with quality. 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. Nah, I know a few of them. No outside agency required. You may also light a candle in honor of Walter E. Smithe Jr. or send a beautiful flower arrangement to the funeral . 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. and runners at CB2 (800 W. North Ave., cb2.com). 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.. Maureen Smithe and Caitie Smithe had the pleasure of working with Chicago's own Mr. FixIt, Lou Manfredini.Such a nice guy and a true Chicagoan! with Maureen Smithe Brusznicki and Caitie Smithe Jisa at Walter E. Smithe Furniture & 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. By last year, though, each had returned to the company their great-grandfather founded. "It was kind of a neat way to kick off our involvement in the business as a group.". / CBS Chicago. When they get a topic, Smithe says, he tries to figure a way to blend it into an ad. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design - Chicago's Furniture Store and Moms of 17 juggle the Chicago-based family business Tim recalls Walt trying to smother him -- repeatedly, apparently -- with a bean bag chair. Woven Roman shades, a jute rug and a blonde wood vanity usher texture and warmth into the otherwise minimalist design. Take dress up and glam up a notch with a self-care day at this luxurious spa for kids and tweens. Whether bringing in color as an accent or making a big statement with a lot of color, your home will feel instantly transformed and personalized. In the 1970s Walter left Smithe and Shanahan (His brothers remained with the original company) to start his own company - Walter E. Smithe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_E._Smithe. Walter E. Smithe ads, famous for their jingle, now featuring next Smithe's three sons the Smithe brothers Mark, Tim, and Walter III became executives in the business and were regularly featured in the commercials. He NEVER blinks. CHICAGO The founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design has died. Walter E. SMITHE corporate office is located in 1775 W Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, Illinois, 60004, United States and has 382 employees. This rating has improved by 10% over the last 12 months. 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. Walter has been known to take furniture for test drives, says Meghan. "An hour and a half. 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. "People really did love seeing them on their TVs.". Best Outlet Walter E Smithe near Glendale Heights, IL 60139 - Yelp "And a woman was there with her daughter, and she nudged her and I heard her say, 'That's the Walter E. Smithe guy.' "As needs within the business grew, positions opened up organically," Maureen said. 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.. Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design. This style is out there and we need to respond and get it on our floor. Compare how recession-proof Walter E Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. Sibling revelry - Chicago Tribune The girls got the bedrooms; the three boys shared a room in the basement. 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. Colleen Smithe, Director of Advertising Sometimes it does not pay to work with family. She has a few ideas for how to add a little spring to your home. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. The first change I noticed was it became all about the sons. Its unnerving. Here, get to know this powerhouse quartet. Smithe's wife of 64 years was by his side when he passed, and he . 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. "We're not your parents' furniture company," Caitie said. Or using a new high-tech application to keep couch fabric truly worry free from childrens spills, everything from spaghetti sauce to Kool-Aid. An added factor in the commercials' success are the brothers, who come across as regular guys. Hauldren -- an advertising copywriter who created the character -- first appeared in the ads in 1973. They brought in real clients, worked with real designers and demonstrated each sister's essential role within the business. Explore more of the publications in our portfolio here. It's fun to be part of Chicago in that way.". Like their brothers, the four Smithe sisters were all in the business when they were in high school. "They go a long way with a limited budget through the use of creativity," he says. They can really do great things. What The Walter E. Smithe Daughters Do . "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years. To their delight, the reaction to that initial campaign was primarily positive, as has been the case for every commercial they've produced since. Who are the Walter E Smithe daughters? You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe . [4], Many of Walter E. Smithe's commercials have been pop culture parodies. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. Then the commercial came on. 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. - 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. Lewis teamed up with Smithes merchandising team to create in-store vignettes, and also featured the store on his show. Pinterest. 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. Im stunned when people watch one of our makeovers and are surprised that Smithe carries so much of what they like, says Caitie. As mothers, all of us have cleaned up a childs spill, or even their vomit, from our furniture, Colleen jokes. I think people felt sorry for me, assuming that I wasnt getting any sleep and having to come to work every day, says Maureen. Walter E. Smithe Jr., Founder of Popular Chicago-Area Furniture Company But they do have a business. 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. officially retires, although he still enjoys visiting showrooms and meeting clients. Further confused by the commercials now. The commercial included the tagline "Change the Name, Change the Luck", a reference to the Cubs' decades-long struggle to reach the World Series.

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