Haute Secrets Boston: Tracey and Scott Noonan of Wicked Good Cupcakes
Tracey Noonan and her daughter, Dani Vilagie, knew they were onto something special when they created Wicked Good Cupcakes five years ago. The bakery became a somewhat overnight sensation after the duo decided to appear on the ABC hit show Shark Tank and won the heart of Kevin O’Leary, who still calls Wicked Good Cupcakes the best investment he’s ever made on the show.
Photo Credit: Wicked Good Cupcakes
This year, the Boston Business Journal named Wicked Good Cupcakes one of the fastest-growing private companies in Massachusetts. The company made a name for itself with their infamous “cupcakes in a jar,” which feature layer upon decadent layer of moist cupcakes combined with sweet frosting served in a mason jar.
Photo Credit: Wicked Good Cupcakes
Jar flavors include peanut butter surprise (our favorite), vanilla birthday cake, whole lotta lemon cupcake and sea salted caramel.
We caught up recently with husband and wife-team Tracey and Scott Noonan to find out what they love most about Boston.
Where were you born: Norwood MA (Tracey); Amesbury, MA (Scott)
How long in Boston: 30 years (Tracey); 43 years off and on (Scott)
Neighborhood: Cedar Grove, (Adams Street) Dorchester, West 6th Street Southie, Spring Garden Street Dorchester and Parmenter Street, the North End (Tracey); Cedar Grove Dorchester, North End (Scott)
Occupation: Co-owner and CEO of Wicked Good Cupcakes, Inc. (Tracey); COO Wicked Good Cupcakes (Scott)
Favorite Restaurant: Tosca’s in Hingham (Tracey); Lucca – Hanover St Boston (Scott)
Best Sushi: Samurai – Back Bay (Scott)
Best Italian: Lucca, Hanover Street (Tracey); Lucca – Hanover St Boston (Scott)
Best dessert: Wicked Good Cupcakes! (Tracey); Wicked Good Cupcakes, of course (Scott)
Best place for a romantic date: La Voile Boston (Tracey); The Chart House (Scott)
Best Sunday brunch: The Beehive, Boston (Tracey and Scott)
Best place for a power business meeting: Boston Coffee Salem Street, Boston (Tracey); Any golf course (Scott)
If you have out of town guests, which hotel would you recommend? The Liberty Hotel (Tracey and Scott)
Favorite shopping venue/boutique: Anthropologie, Newbury Street (Tracey)
Favorite place to buy jewelry/watches: Tiffany’s (Tracey)
Best Spa: Adamo Day Spa, Scituate (Tracey)
Favorite Charity Event: Anything with the MSPCA (Tracey); Music Drives Us annual event (Scott)
Favorite Cultural Event: The Pops 4th at the Hatch Shell (Tracey); Boston Pops Christmas Concert (Scott)
Favorite Cultural Institution: Boston Ballet (Tracey); Boston Ballet (Scott)
Best Steakhouse: Ruth’s Chris (Tracey); Morton’s (Scott)
Best Pizza: Galleria Umberto, Hanover St. Boston (Tracey and Scott)
Best Lunch: Sam LaGrassa’s, Boston (Tracey and Scott);
Best Gym/Athletic Facility: The Y (Tracey); The great outdoors – love to run everywhere in the city (Scott)
Best Massage: Bliss, Boston (Tracey)
Best Limousine/Driving Service: Uber (Tracey and Scott)
Best Museum/Exhibit: The New England Aquarium (Tracey); The Napoleon exhibit at the MFA several years ago (Scott)
Describe Boston in three words: My Home Town (Tracey); Wicked F$!ckin’ Pissah (Scott)
Favorite historic/legendary place to see or explore: Granary Burial Grounds, Boston (Tracey); Fenway Park (Scott)
All-around favorite spot in Boston: The Rose Kennedy Greenway (Tracey); North End (Scott)
Best Aspect of Boston: It has something for everyone! My favorite place in the world. (Tracey); The diversity – both people and places (Scott)