Ed. note: This article first appeared in the Spring 2010 Youngstown Pulse. By B.J. LISKO Youngstown Pulse Magazine Editor Jimmy Sutman is one of the world’s good guys. The owner of Touch The Moon Candy Saloon, a sister company to Purple Cat and Isle, Sutman’s ventures provide services for mentally retarded and disabled adults. Touch The Moon in going on its fifth year downtown on Phelps St., and it’s served as a further extension to those who are disabled in that provides a work and training environment to those individuals that need it. “What’s nice about it is the training because it supports my other business,” Sutman said. “The fact that my individuals with disabilities are receiving training, that’s what makes it work.” Touch the Moon specializes in retro candy. Got a sweet tooth? Touch The Moon will find whatever you’re looking for, wherever it may be. “I love finding candies,” Sutman said. “One of the things I’m most proud of is if a customer comes in, they’ll say something like ‘I was in Washington state and I had this candy, can you get if for me?’ And most of the time I can.” Sutman also loves the atmosphere and the feelings it brings for customers. “It’s fun,” he said. “It evokes such emotion in people. I’ve always had an affinity for downtown, I live downtown, and I remember going downtown with my grandmother and getting candy at the department stores.” Sutman’s store is certainly old fashioned, and many people outside of downtown don’t even realize it exists despite its success. “90 percent of our clientele are downtown people,” Sutman said. “And families of my individuals come down, and many downtown officials.” Sutman hopes to be able to eventually find a location where he can provide seating so that schools with special needs children can come to a larger facility if they desired. If history is any indication, that idea might not be far off. “When we first started, we weren’t making close to anything,” Sutman said. “But for five years, every single month we’ve gone up a little bit. It might just be a little bit, but we’ve seen an increase. If we can stay that way it’s going to be great.” Combining with events like Pabstolutely, some might think a candy store and a rock fest wouldn’t exactly be a good match, but it’s worked tremendously. “I can be atypical with it,” Sutman said. “It’s kind of like a rebel, and come on, it’s candy. Candy stirs up a lot of memories and happy emotions, so it’s worked out well. The combination of helping people with disabilities and finding the candy of so many people’s childhoods, it’s a great mix.” Touch The Moon Candy Saloon is located at 8 Phelps St. For more information, call the store at 330-480-0829.