Newton Candy Store Owner Helps Put A Spotlight On Mental Health

NEWTON, MA — The owner of the Newton candy store is putting a spotlight on mental health issues following the tragic police shooting that took place just outside her store, killing a man who was suffering from mental illness.

Seeing how much the community wanted to do something to help the Indulge! candy store, owner Linda Gulman got the idea to put together one-pound bags of candy for people to buy, so she could donate them to hospital patients dealing with mental illness.

"It was amazing, it was overwhelming the support we got from the community," Gulman said.

An online group of moms wanted to raise money to help the candy shop, but that made Gulman, who grew up in Newton and who has owned the shop for some three decades, uncomfortable.

The Newton moms were persistent.

"I appreciate the support," she said, "But I said, give to a mental health organization if you want to help."

And the idea blew up from there, she said, and they came to a compromise.

With the help of several area moms, Gulman decided to make candy bags to donate to hospitals that have at-risk youth. During the pandemic, hospitals have seen an increase in young adults and children go to the hospital for mental health related needs.

For $10 someone can donate to the shop to buy a one-pound bag of chocolate and gummies to the hospital. Originally Gulman was just going to donate to Newton-Wellesley Hospital, but since Tuesday she's got enough donations for more than 150 bags. So, she's connecting with Boston Medical Center and McLeans Hospital to add them as well. She and her husband also plan to continue to donate.

At first, she was hesitant to promote the effort.

"I don't want to profit from the tragedy," she said.

Gulman called 911 Jan. 5 pretending to be on the phone with UPS when a Newton man came into her shop with a knife on Jan.5. After he left her shop, he ran up to his apartment next door, where he was fatally shot by police. Michael Conlon was described by those who knew him as a "gentle giant" who had recently stopped taking the medication he used to treat his mental illness.

Gulman and her husband took the week off from work, closing the shop, to process what happened.

"It was scary, and look, I feel sick about it," she said, adding it's difficult for her to revisit that moment right. "When mental illness takes over, it's not yourself who is talking, and that's what happened here. It's just a really sad situation."

Now, the candy bags are helping not just her heal, but the community, sharing a little love.

"It's not about the profit it's about giving back," she said. "It's really special it's making the best out of a really bad situation and putting a smile on other people's faces, and that's really what we do here."

She said she plans to continue putting together healing bags of candy as long as people call with donations.

The phone has been ringing off the hook.

Read more: Friends Describe Man Shot By Police In Newton As 'Gentle Giant'

For anyone looking to participate, all they have to do is stop by, call 617-965-7855, or email indulgesomeone@gmail.com to place an order.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.