Ed Beutner is a staple in the Michigan City community, but you probably know him as Captain Ed. The friendly Captain commands his candy store by day (Captain Ed’s Candy Island) and expends any other free time he has helping the community.
Beutner was born and raised in Michigan City, Indiana, where he attended St. Mary’s and then Marquette High School. After graduation Beutner stayed right in the town he has always loved and helped out at his family’s business while racking up certifications and education in electronics from Valpo Tech and Purdue North Central.
Beutner later took over the family business and after a move he decided it was time to expand the store’s inventory. He got the candy idea after stopping at Albanese Candy Store in Merrillville and soon became a distributer. It also helps that Beutner has a bit of a sweet tooth himself.
“My favorite part about my job is giving away candy. There is nothing better than giving candy away to someone of any age. I literally give away thousands of pounds of candy per year,” Beutner explained.
Beutner has a habit of taking what he loves and sharing it endlessly with the community. For instance, he adores the lake. His father happened to be one of the first Charter Captains in the area, and in 1974 Beutner started charter fishing with him. He also later obtained his captain’s license (although he didn’t start referring to himself as Captain Ed until after he opened the candy store). Beutner has served two terms on the Michigan City Port Authority Board, two years as skipper of the Michigan City Sea Scouts, fifteen years as Commodore for the Cardboard Boat Dash, was a Co-Chair of the “Save the Catwalk” project, and member of the Light House Museum Committee.
“The central theme of my life is getting people out to enjoy Lake Michigan. Anything that happens on the lake front has always been of interest to me,” he explained.
Beutner perhaps runs an unconventional business model (not just because he has makeshift pirate ships at his store) that is all about community awareness, but that is what makes him so special. When most people are struggling to make a profit, Beutner strives to make a difference.
“My advice to local business owners is to be generous with your time and resources when it comes to community service, because it is rewarding in many ways. You can kind of become addicted to the feeling of helping others.”
Beutner is without a doubt someone who practices what he preaches. In addition to his volunteer services associated with the lake, Beutner has held many other volunteer positions including president and board member of the Michigan City Exchange Club, twenty years as a Michigan City Summer Festival volunteer, eight years as Organizer and Sponsor of the Michigan City Skate Park Jam, sponsor of the city wide Easter egg hunt, sponsor of MCAS Back-to-School Rally, sponsor of the Sandcastle Homeless Shelter, volunteer at Boo at the Zoo, fundraiser for Worthy Women’s Recovery Home, and Christmas gift organizer for the Boys and Girls Club.
“The best way to feel good about yourself is to help someone else. I try to do something nice every single day.”
But Beutner does not stop there. He also has personally facilitated multiple local reading initiatives. He has spent five years running “Captain Ed and the Rowdy Readers” which has rewarded thousands of students for reading with coupons for free candy and free books. He also hosted multiple episodes of "The Rowdy Readers Radio Show" which invited students to get on the radio and give a short book review to develop public speaking skills and encourage reading. He conducted a book drive and set up libraries at all the Michigan City summer nutrition sites.
“I promote reading whenever I am called upon. As a child I went from being a reluctant reader to an avid reader after a biography on Henry Ford, and that started a life long interest. All subjects revolve around reading. If by fifth grade a student really doesn’t grasp reading, then we have set them up for failure.”
When Beutner isn’t volunteering or working he enjoys, to no surprise, boating. But otherwise he is in the office everyday and actually enjoys it.
“Work is my hobby and my life. My goal is to continue to operate this business for as long as possible.”
And one final question you may have—what is Beutner’s favorite candy? “That’s like asking your favorite song, it depends what mood you are in. Among my favorites I’d say there is toffee and naked pecan patties.”