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30 vintage San Antonio TV commercials that will make you laugh, groan and feel nostalgic

By San Antonio Current Staff on Tue, Mar 29, 2022 at 3:09 pm

Sometimes TV taps into a timeless element, which explains why shows like I Love Lucy, Seinfeld and The Office can run for decades in syndication. More often than not, though, the medium doesn't age well — especially its commercials.

Which is why we curated these '80s- and '90s-era San Antonio ad spots that are likely to make you feel a little old while bringing on a mixture of laughs and groans. Some of the businesses are long gone, but others are still with us. Thankfully, the ones still in operation have largely updated their approach to TV advertising.

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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.
Screenshot via YouTube / Ben Kubany

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 / sptweb

H-E-B
H-E-B has won copious praise for its witty commercials featuring the San Antonio Spurs. However, this 1984 ad featuring an over-the-top jingle and poofy-haired employees skipping and dancing down the aisles shows just how far the chain's marketing efforts have come.
Screenshot via YouTube / SanAntonioNews78

Cavender Toyota
This 1995 spot offers a great look at what Toyota models looked like nearly three decades ago — and how young Rick Cavender looked at the time.
Screenshot via YouTube / SanAntonioNews78

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 / sptweb

Golden Wok
Though they’ve since changed locations, Golden Wok had been serving up delicious Chinese food from two San Antonio locations since the ‘80s. This 1984 TV spot shows a family that each wants something different, but can find it all at Golden Wok – and for an affordable price.
Screenshot via YouTube / SanAntonioNews78

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 / SanAntonioNews78

VIA
"It’s so easy!! When you take the bus!! VIA, VIA! VIA, VIA!" This cheesy jingle was probably stuck in your head in the late ‘70s or early ‘80s.
Screenshot via YouTube / satransitman

Luby's Cafeteria
This mid-'90s commerical marked the first time the San Antonio-based Luby's chain advertised on TV. The iconic business has since suffered plenty of setbacks not even a sizable ad budget could remedy.
Screenshot via YouTube / SanAntonioNews78