A story of food, growth, and the love of community

Friends and business partners Sean Cutshall and Jason Smolinski once battled addiction, and lived the kind of existence that led to felony convictions and incarceration. These days, they have turned their lives around, and together they own and operate Crispy Treats: a local food vendor business which is quickly gaining popularity across the Tri-Cities. Since January 2025, they have become familiar figures at farmers markets, youth sporting tournaments, conventions, expos, and holiday bazaars — offering their signature ‘crispy treats’ with a side of inspiration and hope.

Cutshall and Smolinski met when they were residents of a local Oxford House, a sober living home network. The Oxford House ethos fosters accountability and recovery through community, and both men credit the program and their faith with helping them find sobriety and courage to pursue a new purpose.

“Oxford House gave us more than just a roof; it gave us structure, brotherhood, and belief in ourselves again,” said Cutshall. “Without that foundation, and a little help from our higher power, Crispy Treats wouldn’t exist.”

The two men share their story freely with anyone who is interested to hear it, and Crispy Treats has become known not only for its irresistible desserts, but also for its owners’ willingness to have open dialog about the journey from addiction to entrepreneurship. Cutshall and Smolinski’s story has resonated in the local vendor community as a prime example of how community-based recovery can lead to real transformation and opportunity.

The pair have ambitious goals for 2026.

“We’d like to double in size for the upcoming year, and open a second vendor store,” Cutshall shared. “It’s not every day you find someone who shares both your background and your motivation.”

Smolinski agreed, and added, “We’re proof that recovery can lead to new beginnings, and even sweet success. It’s been incredible to have a partner that not only accepts my background, but celebrates where we both come from and where we are going.”

Founded in 2025 by Sean Cutshall and Jason Smolinski, Crispy Treats, LLC is a locally-owned food vendor based in Tri-Cities, Washington. The company specializes in handcrafted crispy dessert treats and specialty lemonades, and is a regular participant in local farmers markets, community events, fairs, and expos.