The Oregonian/OregonLive/file

Portland TV commercials to make you nostalgic, from Tom Peterson to Franz Bread

Get ready for a nostalgia wave as we celebrate vintage TV commercials that aired in Portland, including retailer Tom Peterson's appeals to shop at his store. Pictured is the Tom Peterson Wake Up Clock, merchandise that played off ads featuring Peterson telling viewers to "Wake up!" -- Kristi Turnquist

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Tom Peterson, Portland's favorite pitchman

In the 1970s through the 1990s, Tom Peterson's TV ads for his Portland furniture and appliance stores were a constant on local TV. Peterson's catchphrases ("Wake up," and "The happy place to buy!" and "Free is a very good price!") made him a local icon.

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Free is a very good price!

Tom Peterson's wife, Gloria, joined him in commercials, too.

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The happy place to buy!

Seriously, folks, can you believe these deals?

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Franz Bread, the good bread, flavor beyond compare

If you're a Portlander of a certain age, you've never been able to get the jingle featured in vintage Franz Bread commercials out of your mind. It's as pervasive as that delicious aroma that wafts from the bakery.

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Pacific Power's Kite Man

Pacific Power put a mustachio'd dude in a yellow costume to warn the kids to be careful when flying their kites.

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Rainierrrrrrrr Beeeerrrr

OK, this Rainier Beer commercial wasn't strictly a Portland-area ad. But we're including it anyway because it was such a memorable Northwest spot.

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Where you fellas going with all that beer?

The Blitz-Weinhard commercial featuring truck drivers from California trying to cross the border into Oregon with their cargo of crummy beer is still quoted by Portlanders with long memories. In this classic spot, an Oregon border guard asks Earl and Vern the question: "Where you fellas going with all that beer?"

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The Organ Grinder

The Organ Grinder, "the most excitingly different family entertainment pizza restaurant in the world" comes off as kind of creepy in this vintage spot.

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Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour

Did you celebrate a birthday at Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour Restaurant? If you grew up in Portland back in the '60s or '70s, chances are you either did, or really wanted to. Was your favorite treat the Portland Zoo ice cream creation?

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Portland Wrestling opening with Marv Tonkin and Tom Peterson mentions

KPTV-12 aired Portland Wrestling matches for decades, and this April 10, 1982 video shows host Frank Bonnema welcoming viewers, and giving a shout-out to sponsors including Marv Tonkin Ford and -- what else? -- Tom Peterson's.

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City Liquidators

But wait, there's more! City Liquidators, the Southeast Portland warehouse that sells furniture, home items, and other stuff, has advertised for years. Here's a video collecting bloopers from ads featuring the Pelett family ("What do the birds say in the spring? Cheap, cheap cheap!")

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You'll Find it at Freddy's

Fred Meyer stores have expanded beyond our borders, but Portlanders still feel like Freddy's is ours. Over the years, Fred Meyer ads have featured different approaches and taglines, but this 1991 spot includes one of the more memorable catchphrases: "You'll find it at Freddy's."

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62 KGW radio plays your songs

Back in the day, 62 KGW was the AM station that Portlanders loved. ("Rip City Radio 620" now resides there.) This vintage spot recalls the days when 62 KGW played Top 40 hits.

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Craig Walker on 62 KGW

Longtime Portland media personality Craig Walker also worked at 62 KGW in the station's glory days.

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Burgerville USA

The Northwest-based Burgerville chain also took to the airwaves to lure burger-craving customers in, but this vintage spot doesn't make the food look all that appetizing.

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It's the water in Olympia Beer

Like Rainier Beer, Oly wasn't a Portland product. The Tumwater, Washington, brewery's Olympia beer was popular in Portland back in the '60s and '70s, though, and its selling point -- water from artesian wells -- was featured in various campaigns, focusing on the slogan, "It's the water."

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California Raisins

The commercials featuring the soulful animated "California Raisins" aired nationwide, and were so popular they spawned specials and merchandise. But they got their distinctive look from the Portland-based Vinton Studios, which animated the raisins using the "Claymation" technique.

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Oregon in the 1950s

You never know what you'll find on YouTube. This archival footage is a commercial of sorts for Oregon itself as it was in the 1950s, with folksy narration.

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