SEATTLE — He's got two very different careers – but both jobs specialize in smiles.
Ty Etheridge is a dentist who also owns a candy store. His candy customers call it genius.
"Candy gives you cavities, and cavities mean you've got to go to the dentist!” explained Felix Grad, a kid who dropped in for some cotton candy. "Which means he gets more money. Very smart."
Ty and his business partner Jake Weissman - a root canal specialist - opened Mad Candy in Seattle's Madrona neighborhood in 2023.
“In the beginning, I did get flack," Etheridge said.
But this place is no cold candy calculation by devious dentists. Etheridge comes by this profession honestly — he grew up working in his family's candy store. And his dad was a Hershey's rep.
"So my whole life, there was always candy, always," Etheridge said.
The family tradition continues. His daughter Abigail, who's also a patient, helps out in her dad's shop. She keeps him on top of trending treats like Mango Peelerz, a viral TikTok famous candy, and Bubs, a candy from Sweden that’s sour and comes in a seemingly infinite variety of shapes and flavors.
Mad Candy also has vintage sodas, customized piñatas and, of course, the ‘Candy Dentist' sells gummy teeth.
Etheridge believes good candy and good teeth can co-exist.
“If you're going to eat candy, make sure you take care of your teeth," Etheridge said. "Clean them, floss them. Enjoy it.”
As Etheridge chatted up scores of neighborhood kids and handed out samples of the sweet stuff, we asked what he'd pick if he had to choose between his two callings.
"That's a deep question, I passionately love dentistry,” he said. "But...if this would pay all my bills, I'd probably do candy. You don't have to worry about hurting anybody. Or having anybody have anxiety. People want to come in here and enjoy coming here, and walk out with a huge smile.”
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