24 vintage San Antonio TV commercials that make us feel extremely old
Vintage TV offers plenty of opportunity to roll your eyes at bad fashion, goofy haircuts and out-of-date attitudes. But if you really want to belly laugh at a bygone era, check out its commercials.
That's why we rounded up these decades-old ad spots from San Antonio TV. From long-gone businesses such as Handy Andy and Weiner's to some that are still with us but have thankfully updated their marketing approaches, these commercials are hilarious, nostalgia-inspiring and may make you feel old.
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My Econo $39.95 Optical
The My Econo $39.95 Optical chain still exists, but its commercials just aren't the same without flamboyant owner-pitchman Mike Yuchnitz who appeared in spots with his trademark mullet and pimpish attire.
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Ben Kubany
Ingram Park Mall
Ingram Park Mall opened in 1979 with four major department store chains as anchor tenants. This 1980 TV spot advertises its "Carousel of Fall Fashion."
Screenshot via YouTube /
SanAntonioNews78
San Antonio Light
Back when San Antonio had two daily newspapers, the Light ran commercials with a catchy jingle. But whose idea was it to include columnists singing it off-key?
Screenshot via YouTube /
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Highland Furniture
Who didn't enjoy Highland Furniture's exciteable pitchman, who was prone to swinging his arms and shouting at the camera in his distinctive nasally twang.
Screenshot via YouTube /
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Paragon Cable
Before Spectrum, even before Time Warner, San Antonians had another cable company to complain about. Time Warner snapped up the operation in 1995 as part of a merger deal.
Screenshot via YouTube /
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KONO-FM
The long-running "classic hits" station KONO has revamped its format a few times over the years, but mustache and clothing in this spot define it as totally '80s.
Screenshot via YouTube /
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Old San Francisco Steak House
This decades-old restaurant is still around. Since its 1968 inception, it's been known as much for its retro décor and women on swings as its steaks.
Screenshot via YouTube /
Bygone Buffalo
NBC National Bank
Remember when ATM machines were new and exotic? Well, then you're old enough to remember San Antonio's NBC National Bank.
Screenshot via YouTube /
SanAntonioNews78
Weiner's Stores
The Houston-based retail chain with the funny name had outlets all over San Antonio until a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2001 forced it to close the eight it had remaining in the Alamo City.
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San Antonio Spurs
Back before the modern era in Spurs basketball, the team wasn’t all that. They even put out a commercial to get people to buy season tickets. This 1986 commercial stars Mayor Henry Cisneros (pictured, in case it wasn’t obvious) and Archbishop Patrick Flores.
Screenshot via YouTube /
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