Ever sit with a bridge club that’s been meeting up every Sunday for the past twenty years? Sitting down with the owners of Armadillo Antiques is a lot like that. These folks have all known each other for a long time, and they share a lot of experiences. Everyone seems like good friends.
There are five owners here, and none of them puts up with any drama. John MaClean, the oldest, started selling antiques in 1957. He remembers back when he owned a farm just outside of Austin. A tollbooth stands on that property now. He doesn’t seem too happy about that.
One of the other owners, Ellie Lopez, moved to Texas in 1998, from Pennsylvania. The other owners still call her a Yankee sometimes but with good cheer. Ellie takes it in stride.
The rest of the owners have lived in Texas for almost all of their lives. We’re talking 60 or 70 years apiece in the state. Most of that time was spent in the antique business.
With such a pleasant atmosphere and experienced owners, you can imagine that vendors would be lined up to sell at Armadillo Antiques. They definitely are. Armadillo Antiques has about 33 vendors. When Governor Abbott shut everything down in April, two or three vendors left. The folks running Armadillo Antiques quickly found replacements. Now, there’s a waiting list.

Photo: Paul Ehrlich
The building itself is another reason why vendors like to sell here. Brand new LED lights combine with old-fashioned chandelier lights to create a bright space. Some antique stores are murky—you almost can’t see what you’re buying. Not here. Armadillo Antiques is as well-lit as any department store.
When the owners first came in, that lighting didn’t exist. These folks worked hard to put in internet, great lighting, and heat. Of course, as with any business, there were setbacks. A hailstorm knocked out the air conditioning for a few days. Fortunately, the customers understood.

Photo: Paul Ehrlich
COVID has been a concern for everybody, and Armadillo Antiques is no exception. The owners have been working with the city of San Antonio to comply with all guidelines. They wipe down counters along with the pens. A hand sanitizer station is available, and the bathrooms are cleaned frequently.
Armadillo Antiques hasn’t really been as hurt by COVID as other businesses have. Customers are coming in as if the business was never closed in April. The owners say that people feel safe here.

Photo: Paul Ehrlich
The merchandise itself looks almost new. A lot of it has been repaired, using appropriate parts. The vendors and owners repair antique radios, cameras, clocks, and lamps.
How many times have you seen a radio in an antique store and asked if it worked, only to be met with a helpless shrug by the store clerk? At Armadillo Antiques, you can learn with confidence whether something works or not before you take it out of the store. This is a great service.
Also, if you have a small broken antique, such as a broken watch, there’s a good chance that the folks at Armadillo Antiques can fix it for you. Of course, they charge for this service, but that’s still handy to know.
On the off chance that the folks at Alamo Antiques can’t fix your heirloom, they may be able to direct you to someone who can. Considering their combined experience, it’s a good bet that they may know someone who can help you out.

Photo: Paul Ehrlich
With this level of support, it’s no wonder that customers are still shopping at Armadillo Antiques, even in these times. The owners see a large age range come in, from children looking to complete their coin collections to elderly folks reminiscing over something in the store that catches their eye. Everyone’s welcome here.

Photo: Paul Ehrlich
Armadillo Antiques also works with the community and other local businesses. They are members of the Greater Harmony Hills Association and the National Federation of Small Businesses. Older folks like to come into the store just to get out of the house. Long-time customers are known by name.
Vogt Auctions is also working with Armadillo Antiques. The antique store has a closed-circuit television in their store, monitoring auctions at Vogt while they’re going on. So, you can watch the auction while you shop at Armadillo. This comes in handy, considering that Vogt Auctions is just a few doors down.
All of the businesses sharing the mall space worked together to host Market Day festivals last year. But COVID and weather made everything too difficult, and the results weren’t as successful as everyone had hoped. After things get back to normal, the businesses are planning on trying again. Hopefully, the Market Day celebration will soon be a success.
In the meantime, when you’re on the Northwest Side of San Antonio, you should probably still head over to Armadillo Antiques. If you want to see beautiful antiques while talking to friendly folks, this place is perfect for you. And who doesn’t want that?
If you’re not in San Antonio, the folks running Armadillo Antiques may offer some services over the phone. For more information, check out their website at www.armadilloantiquestx.com.