This family-owned and -operated business has been in existence since the mid-1940s. Started in Chicago, Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. now operates 13 showrooms throughout the metropolitan area. One of these showrooms is located directly across the street from Old Orchard Mall. The Skokie Smithe store is a sizable salon that displays a considerable collection of high-end living room, dining room and bedroom sets. The store carries the Smithe private line of furniture as well as lines such as Marge Carson and Hickory Chair.