The Heart Behind Beats and Treats

After 27 years in the classroom—15 of those spent teaching in a Life Skills program—I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most determined, bright, and kindhearted individuals you could ever meet. Throughout my teaching career, I guided students with a wide range of mental and physical disabilities, helping them build the confidence and skills they needed to navigate life with independence and purpose.

One of my greatest joys was leading our Functional Vocational class where we visited local businesses, giving students hands-on experience in real workplaces. They approached every task with enthusiasm and pride, growing in confidence and dreaming about the future.

But that joy eventually turned bittersweet.

After graduation, many of those opportunities disappeared. Jobs are scarce, and doors that should have opened remained closed. Too often, my former students—so capable and full of promise—were left sitting at home, isolated from the workforce and the community they longed to contribute to.

That’s when the dream of Beats and Treats was born.

Beats and Treats isn’t just a candy and record shop—it’s a movement. It’s a safe, welcoming, and joy-filled space where individuals with disabilities can work, thrive, and are celebrated for their unique gifts. We provide meaningful job training, individualized support, and—above all—dignity and purpose.

Here, every scoop of candy and every vinyl record played represents more than just a sale. It represents inclusion, opportunity, and hope because we believe everyone deserves the chance to live a full, vibrant life. And at Beats and Treats, that journey begins with love, music, and something sweet.

Music has been a defining part of my life from the very beginning. My family always had something playing—8‑tracks in the car, albums spinning at home, and even an intercom system that carried music through every room. I bought my first record before I was ten years old and played it until it wore out. As formats changed, I collected everything I could: cassettes, CDs, and eventually thousands of vinyl albums.

One of my greatest joys is seeing that same passion in my son, who listens to everything from 1940s classics to ’70s and ’80s rock. Music has always connected us.

My love for music led me to work as a radio DJ, where I learned the craft and shared great songs with listeners. Even though the station had moved to digital systems, I never forgot the massive wall of vinyl that once powered the studio. I still wish I had asked for those records.

My journey as a collector truly took off when someone gifted me fifty albums. That moment sparked something big—and today, my collection has grown to nearly 4,000 records. I love the hunt, the conversations, and the community that forms around music.

Record stores have always felt magical to me: the posters, the T‑shirts, the atmosphere, and the sense of discovery. I dreamed of owning one, but for years it felt out of reach. I started selling vinyl at vendor events, meeting incredible collectors and music lovers. The question I heard most often was, “Do you have a store?” For a long time, the answer was no.

Until now.

I met Suzanne when she taught my son at Pine Tree. She shared her dream of opening a candy store that would employ special‑needs adults. I told her about my long‑time dream of opening a record store. As her retirement approached, she asked if I’d consider combining our passions. It was an easy yes.

Today, we’re proud to bring those dreams together—creating a space where music lovers, candy lovers, families, and our community can come together. And now, when people ask if I have a store, I finally get to say yes.