Its products are guaranteed “worst in town,” but they’re actually the best.

Outsiders scratch their heads, but for those who know Columbia, it makes all kinds of sense – and it has for the last 75 years.

Cromer’s, which was established in 1935, is celebrating three–quarters of a century in business, despite the dubious slogan. According to the company’s website, the attempted slam on its founder all those years ago is what has made the company great.

Julian D. Cromer’s fresh–roasted peanuts, which were sold at a one–man stand in the Assembly Street Curb Market, were so popular that his competitor across the aisle put up a sign declaring that Cromer’s peanuts were the worst, and that his own were the best in town.

Rather than retaliate, Cromer capitalized. He made a sign declaring that his peanuts were indeed, the “worst in town,” and later he even “guaranteed” it.

Justin Lucas has worked at Cromer's for three years. Seventy five years later, the institution still stands, and so does its slogan. And now the “worst peanuts” have been joined by the “worst popcorn” and hundreds of other terrible items, including party favors, games, cutlery, and decorations.

And it attracts clientele from all over the state, who say that they wouldn’t buy snack fare from anyone else.

Bill Brickle, the owner, producer, and ringmaster of Bill Brickle’s Wonderland Circus in Orangeburg, makes a regular trek to the Huger street store to purchase supplies for his traveling circus. On Tuesday, he was loading up on cotton candy and popcorn fixings for upcoming performances in the South Carolina area including a stop on February 16 at the Busbee Arts Academy in Cayce.

Bill Brickle, producer and ringmaster of Wonderland Circus out of Orangeburg, only buys his circus fare from Cromer's “In the 30 years I’ve been operating the circus, I haven’t ever bought from anyone else,” Brickle said. “They are the best.”

Even the workers at Cromer’s believe that their “worst” products are the best. Justin Lucas, who has been with the store for three years, said his favorites are popcorn and early harvest peanuts. “I really think this is the best popcorn I’ve ever had,” Lucas said.

It’s that kind of loyalty that has not only made Cromer’s a success, but has also attracted loyal employees. Take CEO Alan Parker, for example. His memories of the institution go back to his childhood when Cromer’s had a location at the Dutch Square Mall. When he and his family came to town, he delighted in visiting the caged monkeys and bags of peanuts.

“Coming back and forth through Columbia meant that I got to enjoy some of the wonderful treats at Cromer’s,” Parker said. “It’s a great memory.”

A chance meeting several years ago with Carolette Cromer Turner, the company’s president and owner and granddaughter of Julian Cromer, resulted in Parker becoming part of the business.

“It is a very, very cool place to work,” Parker said. “People come in either in a good mood or wanting to be in a good mood. It’s also great when kids come in and run around the store enjoying themselves.”

Speaking of children, Cromer’s is celebrating its 75 years with an emphasis on the young and young at heart.

It will open its warehouse, which is rarely accessible to the public, on January 30 for two magic shows at 10:30 am and 2 pm. According to a statement released by the company, Magician John Tudor “will dazzle” children of all ages with “unbelievable new tricks and old magic tricks inspired by those James Cromer, the second generation owner of Cromer’s, invented many years ago. “

“We are very excited to share the Cromer’s magic and celebrate our 75th anniversary,” said Turner. “My father, James, loved magic, so this is the perfect way to celebrate and give back to children and families in need. This is a milestone year for our business, and though our business has changed with the times, Cromer’s has always been about offering good products for good times with family and friends. ”

Tickets are $5, with free popcorn. Proceeds from the shows will go to Columbia’s Ronald Mc- Donald House. Those interested can buy tickets in advance at Cromer’s, located at 1700 Huger Street. A limited quantity will also be available at the door on the day of the show.