Business Profile
Bangin' Whoopie
Interviewer:
Kadie Glynn, CruiseMaine
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Interviewee:
James Gallagher, Owner, Bangin’ Whoopie
Can you tell us the story behind Bangin Whoopie? What inspired you to start this business, and what makes your whoopie pies stand out?
I grew up in Bangor and opened Bangin Whoopie in 2012 as a way to share a family tradition with our community. The original recipe came from my great-grandmother, and over time, we adapted it to be completely vegan without sacrificing the taste and texture that makes a whoopie pie special. What really sets us apart is the variety we offer—right now, we rotate through about 100 different flavors, changing with the seasons. For example, we have strawberry lemonade in the summer and peppermint hot chocolate during the winter holidays. While we love experimenting with new flavors, our classic whoopie pie remains the best seller!
What is your favorite Bangin‘ Whoopie flavor?
My favorite is too hard to choose but I love a few- okay top 3!
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Maine Blueberry Pancake (Maine Blueberry Cake w/Maple Filling).
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Old Fashioned Banana Bread (Banana Bread Cake w/Cream Cheese Filling) This is my Mom's famous banana bread into a Whoopie Pie!
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Butterscotch Blondie (Vanilla Cake w/Butterscotch Filling)
Since the return of cruise tourism to Bangor in 2022, have you noticed an increase in visitors to your shop? How has this affected your business?
Absolutely! Since cruise tourism picked back up, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in foot traffic from visitors exploring Bangor. It’s been a great boost for our business, as many of these travelers are looking for unique local treats, and whoopie pies are a must-try when visiting Maine. It’s exciting to introduce people from all over the country—and sometimes even internationally—to our flavors.
What kinds of reactions do you get from cruise passengers when they discover your whoopie pies? Are there any memorable customer stories you‘d like to share?
The reactions are always great—some people have never heard of a whoopie pie before, and they’re amazed at the variety we offer. Others are excited to try our vegan versions and are shocked at how delicious they are. One memorable moment was when a couple from the West Coast came in, tried our classic whoopie pie, and immediately bought a dozen to take home. They later sent us a message saying they wished they had bought even more! Moments like that make it all worth it.
How do you see cruise tourism contributing to Bangor’s local economy, and what role do businesses like yours play in shaping visitors’ experiences?
Cruise tourism brings a fresh wave of energy to downtown Bangor, helping small businesses thrive. Visitors are eager to explore and experience something unique to the area, and businesses like Bangin Whoopie help create those lasting memories. By offering a locally made, handcrafted treat, we’re giving people a true taste of Maine—and hopefully, a reason to come back!
What are your hopes for the future of Bangor’s cruise tourism, and how do you plan to continue growing Bangin Whoopie in the coming years?
I hope to see cruise tourism continue to expand, bringing even more visitors to our beautiful city and giving them a chance to experience all that Bangor has to offer—including our whoopie pies! At Bangin Whoopie, we’re always looking for ways to grow, whether that’s through adding new flavors, expanding our reach with online sales, or even opening additional locations. Our goal is to make sure that everyone who visits Bangor gets a taste of what makes our whoopie pies special.
A big part of that growth is the merger of our market and bakery into one location, something we’ve been planning for a long time. Our new space, connected to our current Bangin Whoopie shop, will allow us to create a more unified experience for our customers. We’re especially excited to use the storefronts of other stores as community spaces for events, making it a true gathering place for both locals and visitors. We can’t wait to welcome everyone into the new space when it’s ready by the end of the summer!
