Chesterton, IN, May 11, 2026 – Tethan’s Candy & Confections is excited to announce the release of a brand new product, Dune Glass Crystal Candy, that reflects the Duneland community and supports the Chesterton High School internship program. Created and marketed by Chesterton High School seniors Mia Larimer and Lucy Rutkowski, this new candy serves as their final project after an entire school year learning about marketing and product creation.

Tethan’s Candy owners David and Jennifer Gilbert created a marketing internship that exposed Mia and Lucy to all the different avenues of marketing that impact a small business, from social media to digital advertising to in-store signage. Throughout the school year Mia and Lucy helped design packaging for new products, brainstormed ideas for in-store events, and created social media campaigns both to promote specific items and events and to generate general interest in the store. Their entire second semester has been focused on their final project – creating a new product from start to finish.

“We were so fortunate to have Lucy and Mia placed with us this school year as interns and Dune Glass is truly the culmination of everything they learned,” said Tethan’s co-owner Jennifer Gilbert. “They were very intentional with what type of candy they chose to create, the flavors it should feature, how the packaging was designed, and how it should be marketed. We’re thrilled with how it turned out and to introduce it to our customers.”

Lucy and Mia were inspired by the area’s beautiful dunes and beaches and wanted to create a candy reminiscent of beach glass that has been polished over time by the sand and water. Made with techniques based on Japanese confections, each piece has a multi-texture sugary crust exterior filled with a fruity lemon, strawberry, raspberry, or raspberry lemonade jelly center. Dune Glass is both their ode to Chesterton and the Indiana Dunes and in celebration of the Sand + Steel project from Indiana Dunes Tourism that honors the Region’s ties to nature and industry.

“Our internship at Tethan’s has been an outlet for our creativity and to be involved with our community,” said Tethan’s intern Lucy Rutkowski. “This candy is a manifestation of a beautiful piece of our town and we cannot wait to share it with everyone. We hope everyone enjoys the flavor, memories, and that Dune Glass will be your next top candy pick,” said Tethan’s intern Mia Larimer.

Dune Glass Crystal Candy launches at Tethan’s Candy & Confections at 8 am May 16 to coincide with Chesterton’s European Market and will be available for purchase at their store located in downtown Chesterton. The new candy will also potentially be available at additional locations tied to Sand + Steel.