VHS movies may be part of a bygone era, but some San Antonio shops cater to old-school fans

VHS movies may be part of a bygone era, but some San Antonio shops cater to old-school fans

At first, comedian Travis J. Reyes only planned to buy a few VHS tapes of some of his favorite horror movies — The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Dead Alive, Shivers and Videodrome. Then, things got out of hand.

After just a year, the Warren High School graduate had amassed a collection of 350 VHS movies. They now take up two large shelves in a spare bedroom — something like a personal Blockbuster store from the early ’90s. Reyes jokes online that he gave up heroin and alcohol to have money for his new addiction. He has a good reason why he’s developed a soft spot for the old-school media.

“What I like about VHS movies are just the security of them,” Reyes said. “As long as they hold up, I’ll always have them. I won’t have to worry about the rights being pulled from Hulu or that a studio will decide it’s not worth producing anymore. To me, it’s the purest way to collect movies.”

For San Antonio resident and Kings of Horror event coordinator Angel Castorena, collecting VHS comes down to one thing: nostalgia.

“I collect a lot of stuff I grew up watching, like Little Giants and The Sandlot,” Castorena said. “I remember when Killer Klowns [from Outer Space] came out. The bulk of my collection is my childhood.”

Today, 4K Ultra HD Blu-Rays are at the top of the physical media totem pole, but plenty of purists still prefer to seek out chunky VHS box sets. Last year in Dallas, a sealed copy of the 1986 film Back to the Future sold at auction for $75,000. Many cinephiles wonder if VHS movies are destined to become as popular as vinyl records, another old-school media that made a comeback.

In San Antonio, VHS aficionados have few options when looking to expand their collections. Even so, there are a handful of brick-and-mortar stores catering to their videotape habits. Here’s a rundown of local options if someone on your holiday list covets a copy of Critters.

GG’s Emporium

Owned by Evelyn and Ty Menchaca, this pop culture shop opened in 2017 and sells tons of vintage toys. They also have VHS movies — from “Disney kid stuff to obscure horror,” according to Ty, who adds that customers come into the store for the “nostalgia and simplicity” of videotape. Plus, a lot of the lesser-known titles haven’t made it to digital forms yet, so VHS is literally the only way it can be seen. One VHS movie Ty has at the shop but has deemed off limits to customers: John Carpenter’s 1979 biopic Elvis starring Kurt Russell as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. 1716 Blanco Road, (210) 239-5585, ggs-emporium.com.

Monsters & Mayhem

Rock ‘n’ roll and horror shop owner Cynthia Moreno sells apparel, toys and lots of VHS movies at her spot inside Wonderland of the Americas Mall. Kings of Horror’s Castorena, who serves as the store’s curator, doesn’t care that VHS tapes don’t provide a high-quality picture like a Blu-Ray. “The graininess feels comforting,” he said. “It’s hard to explain sometimes, but it’s like listening to an album.” VHS tapes currently in the store include the horror classics Halloween, The Shining, Evil Dead, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th4522 Fredericksburg Road, instagram.com/monstersandmayhemtx

Galactic Books, Movies & More

VHS stock rotates through this collectibles shop on a regular basis. Owner Cynthia Farnsworth pays cash or offers store credit for VHS tapes, which helps explain why she has more than 4,000 movies in her inventory. The shop inside Wonderland of the Americas Mall even boasts a section dedicated to Alfred Hitchcock with titles including the suspense maestro’s Suspicion, Spellbound, The Birds, Family Plot and Torn Curtain. Galactic also sells working VCRs along with books, magazines, handmade magnets, bookmarks, matted prints and more. 4522 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 812-7213, instagram.com/_galactic.popshop.

Thrift Stores and Flea Markets

If you’ve ever scoured for bargains at San Antonio thrift stores or flea markets, there’s a good chance you have seen old VHS tapes among the merchandise. Sometimes, a cinematic gem will be hiding behind an oversized teddy bear or inside a broken crockpot. Others, the only tapes for sale will be Jane Fonda exercise videos from the ’80s. Happy hunting.

The Internet

Websites such as Facebook Marketplace and apps including OfferUp can help you connect with local sellers looking to offload their VHS tapes. While some will only sell their videos as an entire lot, others are happy to let them go one by one. It’s up to each buyer to decide whether it’s worth driving to Stone Oak for a tattered $2 copy of Batman Forever.

GG’s Emporium

Owned by Evelyn and Ty Menchaca, this pop culture shop opened in 2017 and sells tons of vintage toys. They also have VHS movies — from “Disney kid stuff to obscure horror,” according to Ty, who adds that customers come into the store for the “nostalgia and simplicity” of videotape. Plus, a lot of the lesser-known titles haven’t made it to digital forms yet, so VHS is literally the only way it can be seen. One VHS movie Ty has at the shop but has deemed off limits to customers: John Carpenter’s 1979 biopic Elvis starring Kurt Russell as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. 1716 Blanco Road, (210) 239-5585, ggs-emporium.com.

Monsters & Mayhem

Rock ‘n’ roll and horror shop owner Cynthia Moreno sells apparel, toys and lots of VHS movies at her spot inside Wonderland of the Americas Mall. Kings of Horror’s Castorena, who serves as the store’s curator, doesn’t care that VHS tapes don’t provide a high-quality picture like a Blu-Ray. “The graininess feels comforting,” he said. “It’s hard to explain sometimes, but it’s like listening to an album.” VHS tapes currently in the store include the horror classics Halloween, The Shining, Evil Dead, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th4522 Fredericksburg Road, instagram.com/monstersandmayhemtx

Galactic Books, Movies & More

VHS stock rotates through this collectibles shop on a regular basis. Owner Cynthia Farnsworth pays cash or offers store credit for VHS tapes, which helps explain why she has more than 4,000 movies in her inventory. The shop inside Wonderland of the Americas Mall even boasts a section dedicated to Alfred Hitchcock with titles including the suspense maestro’s Suspicion, Spellbound, The Birds, Family Plot and Torn Curtain. Galactic also sells working VCRs along with books, magazines, handmade magnets, bookmarks, matted prints and more. 4522 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 812-7213, instagram.com/_galactic.popshop.

Thrift Stores and Flea Markets

If you’ve ever scoured for bargains at San Antonio thrift stores or flea markets, there’s a good chance you have seen old VHS tapes among the merchandise. Sometimes, a cinematic gem will be hiding behind an oversized teddy bear or inside a broken crockpot. Others, the only tapes for sale will be Jane Fonda exercise videos from the ’80s. Happy hunting.

The Internet

Websites such as Facebook Marketplace and apps including OfferUp can help you connect with local sellers looking to offload their VHS tapes. While some will only sell their videos as an entire lot, others are happy to let them go one by one. It’s up to each buyer to decide whether it’s worth driving to Stone Oak for a tattered $2 copy of Batman Forever.

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Original Annie movie star, others to appear in San Antonio this weekend

Original Annie movie star, others to appear in San Antonio this weekend

Actress Aileen Quinn has always embraced the role that she’s best known for: the title character in the original 1982 film musical Annie. The movie is based on the 1977 Broadway musical, itself inspired by the Little Orphan Annie comic strip of the 1920s.

Quinn even has her own rockabilly-blues band, Aileen Quinn and the Leapin’ Lizards, which is a reference to one of her movie character’s catchphrases. When requested, one of the songs the band will perform is a cover of “Tomorrow,” the signature showstopper from Annie.

Quinn is making her first trip to San Antonio Nov. 24-25. She’ll join her former Annie co-stars Toni Ann Gisondi and Rosanne Sorrentino, who played Molly and Pepper in the movie, at the Wonderland of the Americas Mall, 4522 Fredericksburg Road, for a meet-and-greet with fans from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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WONDERLAND OF THE AMERICAS & CITY OF BALCONES HEIGHTS UNVEIL VETERAN APPRECIATION MURAL: A TRIBUTE TO OUR HEROES

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2023

WONDERLAND OF THE AMERICAS & CITY OF BALCONES HEIGHTS UNVEIL
VETERAN APPRECIATION MURAL: A TRIBUTE TO OUR HEROES

Balcones Heights, TX (November 9, 2023) – Wonderland of the Americas Regional Shopping,
Medical and Entertainment Destination in the heart of Balcones Heights, proudly announces the
installation of a stunning Veterans Appreciation Mural. This magnificent artwork serves as a
heartfelt tribute to the brave men and women who have selflessly served our country.

Spanning an impressive 72,000 square feet, Wonderland of the Americas has three dedicated
Veterans Administration (VA) clinics providing medical services to our esteemed veterans. As a
token of gratitude and respect, the Veterans Appreciation Mural has been carefully designed to
adorn the lower-level entrance, adjacent to Conviva Health Care Center.

The purpose of this remarkable mural is to remind us all of the sacrifices made by our heroes,
who ensure that we have a safe space to live and thrive. Through vibrant colors and intricate
details, the artwork encapsulates the spirit of honor, courage and resilience that our veterans
embody.

We cordially invite you to join us for this momentous occasion as we unveil the Veteran
Appreciation Mural. The unveiling ceremony will take place on Friday, November 10th, at
10:30am. This event will be held at the designated location, marked by the Conviva Health Care
Center on the lower-level entrance of Wonderland of the Americas.

We encourage members of the press, esteemed guests and the general public to come together
and pay homage to our veterans through this meaningful tribute. This event promises to be a
memorable experience, filled with pride, gratitude, and a shared sense of community.

About Wonderland of the Americas:
Wonderland of the Americas was originally built in 1961, in Balcones Heights, Texas and was
previously named Crossroads Mall. Purchased in 2009, the property was rebranded as
Wonderland of the Americas. The revitalized Wonderland of the Americas is a family venue for
Value Retail Shopping, Entertainment, and Medical Services. National tenants at Wonderland of
the Americas include Burlington, Hobby Lobby, Ross Dress for Less, AR’s Entertainment Hub,
Super Target, Denny’s, Whataburger, Jack in the Box, Wells Fargo and Springhill Suites by
Marriot. For more information contact 210.785.3500 or visit www.wonderlandamericas.com

Media Contacts: Victoria Hernandez, vhernandez@wonderlandamericas.com

Sneak peek: Wonder Theatre’s future home at Wonderland of the Americas is taking shape

Sneak peek: Wonder Theatre’s future home at Wonderland of the Americas is taking shape

The main thing that Christopher Rodriguez wants current and potential patrons of Wonder Theatre to know about its big move to Wonderland of the Americas is that it is happening.

“Everyone’s always like, ‘What’s going on? Are you really moving?’ I promise you, yes, it is absolutely happening,” said Rodriguez, the theater’s executive and artistic director.

Wonder had planned to leave its longtime home at the Woodlawn Theatre this past summer. But transforming the former site of the Santikos Bijou movie theater into a live-performance space has taken longer than anticipated, so the latest plan calls for them to move in January.

“Someone recently was like, ‘Reminder: Rome wasn’t built in a day,’” said Rodriguez, who has been with the theater for almost 12 years. “A theater is no different, a new facility is no different. And we are really just making sure that everything is perfect for our audiences the first time that they enter through our doors.

“There’s a lot of stuff to consider in the new space, but we’re really excited.”

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MUSIC STORIES & INTERVIEWS R&R Hall of Famer Marky Ramone appearing at San Antonio events this weekend

MUSIC STORIES & INTERVIEWS R&R Hall of Famer Marky Ramone appearing at San Antonio events this weekend

The longtime Ramones drummer appeared in the movie Rock-N-Roll High School and on classic punk songs including ‘I Wanna Be Sedated.’

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and longtime Ramones drummer Marky Ramone is returning to San Antonio this weekend for a Blitzkrieg Bop of events and appearances.

The punk pioneer’s first stop will be Friday at the Corn Pound and Flagship Records, 6336 Montgomery Drive. He’ll be present for a photo exhibit of previously unseen pictures of the Ramones and The Runaways snapped by late San Antonio photographer Lindell Tate. That event starts at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, Ramone will appear at Pica Pica Plaza, 910 SE Military Drive, for the Rock-n-Roll Horror Pop-up Market hosted by Dallas-based Social Revolt. The pop-up market will feature more than 30 artists, record shops and vendors from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ramone will wrap up his Alamo City visit with a Sunday in-store appearance from noon to 4 p.m. at Monsters and Mayhem, a newly opened music and horror collectibles shop inside Wonderland of Americas Mall, 4522 Fredericksburg Road.

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