A lot of nuts: Columbia’s Cromer’s marks 80th year in business
Cromer’s, a longtime Columbia favorite, is celebrating its 80th anniversary, with special activities in the works for Saturday, Aug. 29.
The store has been a wonder for generations, selling peanuts and popcorn, Sno-cones and hot dogs, as well as candies and novelty items like toys and treats, banners, party supplies and more.
In 1935, Julian Cromer began selling his fresh roasted peanuts out of his produce stand at the Farmers Market, then on Assembly Street in downtown Columbia.
A competitor began yelling, “Don’t buy those, mine are best! Cromer’s is no good.” In a stroke of marketing genius, Cromer started selling his peanuts with the slogan, “Guaranteed Worst in Town.”
It worked. Customers flocked to his stand, the slogan stuck, and Cromer’s became a successful business.
Today, the core business has grown. In addition to shelves of flavored popcorn, barrels of candy and concessions equipment available for rent, Cromer’s has added a full-service cafe serving breakfast and lunch. A supporter of the community, Cromer’s offers customized marketing items and hosts the weekly Wednesday 1 Million Cups meet-up for local entrepreneurs.
Did you know ...
150-200 bushels of popcorn are popped every week. Using an average of 175 per week, that’s 9,100 bushel bags – or 72,800 quarts – in a year!
New crop vs. old crop: Refers to when the peanuts are actually harvested and dried or used green. New-crop peanuts are harvested between May and mid-October and boiled while “green,” or new – and they are said to taste the freshest. Old-crop peanuts are dried before use. All of Cromer’s peanuts are boiled and packaged fresh each morning.
Most popular item: Bushel bags of popcorn, $14.99.
Most unusual item(s): Cromer’s used to sell a wide selection of Halloween costumes and masks. Now, the store carries pinatas and, for the tricksters, non-blow out candles for birthday cakes. On the flavor front, while Cromer’s sells only three flavors of Sno-cone at the counter (blue raspberry, cherry, grape), if you have or rent a Sno-cone machine you can get any of the other 30-45 flavors – including Wedding Cake and Tiger’s Blood. Who knew?
If you go
Go nuts and celebrate the 80th anniversary of Cromer’s P-Nuts
TIME/DATE: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29
LOCATION: 1700 Huger St.
ON TAP: Enjoy bounce houses, live music, a vintage car show and, of course, Cromer’s treats.
This story was originally published August 25, 2015 at 5:20 PM with the headline "A lot of nuts: Columbia’s Cromer’s marks 80th year in business."