The Smithe brothers and the Shannon Rovers
LEW LAZARE March 6, 2011 5:48PM
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Updated: May 10, 2011 8:13PM
The difficult economic times from which we are just now beginning to emerge were tough on the furniture business, whose fortunes are closely tied to those of a housing industry that has been hit really hard.
We’re told the furniture world was especially shaken in recent days by the bankruptcy filing of a prominent regional furniture chain called Robb & Stucky, which had the misfortune to have many of its stores in areas like Florida and Arizona, where housing prices have taken a real beating.
But here in Chicago it’s full steam ahead for the Walter E. Smithe furniture empire, which has been wise about establishing close bonds with consumers in the Chicago market via a series of amusing TV commercials that have aired over the years.
Those TV spots, more often than not, have put a human face on the Smithe furniture chain by featuring the trio of Smithe brothers — Tim, Walter and Mark — who now run the company and who are not afraid to engage in all sorts of crazy antics.
The latest spot just now breaking is an homage to the rapidly approaching St. Patrick’s Day, as well as an announcement of a new Walter E. Smithe scratch-off card promotion. In the spot we see the three brothers sitting in an Irish pub being serenaded by the Shannon Rovers. The commercial has plenty of Irish spirit and a nice taste of Irish bagpipes going at full throttle.
