This weekend, Shakkiah Curtis will officially open the doors to Tailer Nicole Wine & Cupcake Bar, an upscale yet accessible lounge inside the Black Business Hub—a first-of-its-kind venue in the city where sweets, spirits and community will come together.
“Wine and cupcakes—who’s not happy about that, right?” Curtis said with a laugh. The concept may seem simple, but the vision is layered. Named after her daughter, Tailer Nicole is about more than just sweets and sips—it’s about creating a third space where professionals, creatives, and community members can meet, relax, and build relationships.
“I wanted to create something unique. Tailer Nicole represents luxury, upscale, mixed with community,” Curtis said. “I wanted the accessibility to not only be by the Capitol or the west side of Madison, but to be right on the South Side where they’re up and coming, where they’re growing, where they’re trying to put opportunity. Because if you see it, then you know it’s available.”
Curtis’ journey to this moment is as rich as her wine list. Born and raised in Milwaukee, she was a teen mom who quickly learned how to juggle college, parenthood, and work. Her corporate experience at Starbucks taught her the power of creating spaces where people feel seen and connected.
“The framework of Starbucks was built off of one cup, one coffee, one cup, one neighborhood, one person at a time,” she said. “I always wanted to model that idea—if you can meet a person over a cup of coffee, regardless of their background, you can build something together.”
That philosophy became the foundation for Tailer Nicole.
While working with Madison-based accelerator Gener8r and later with the MKE Tech Hub, Curtis was involved in the early development of the Black Business Hub. She realized the space needed more than just offices and retail. It needed an anchor for culture and community.
“If the Black Business Hub is going to have all of these businesses, all of these different organizations, they need somewhere,” Curtis said. “They have their coffee in the morning, their food at lunch—but where do the professionals come together (after work)?”
Curtis pitched the idea of a wine lounge—an intentional third space where deals can be made, ideas can spark, and culture can thrive. With support from Urban League leaders and business mentors, Tailer Nicole Wine & Cupcake Bar was born.
The grand opening is set for this weekend, June 27-29, and promises three days of celebration:
Friday, June 27 (4-8 PM): The grand opening night will feature a live performance by MJ from Love & Hip Hop, along with local Madison artists. Guests can enjoy wine tastings, cupcake pairings, and live music throughout the evening.
Saturday, June 28 (4-8 PM): The lounge will transform into an art gallery showcasing Midwest artists, with pieces for sale. Live music and the signature wine and cupcake offerings will create a vibrant, social atmosphere.
Sunday, June 29 (11 AM – 4 PM): Tailer Nicole will launch its signature Sunday brunch, which will continue weekly. The brunch will feature wine mimosas, charcuterie boards, cupcakes, and collaborations with local chefs to bring unique breakfast and brunch options to the lounge.
Curtis is already planning for growth, with hopes of expanding into the soon-to-open Madison Public Market and eventually bringing Tailer Nicole’s culture-building concept to other parts of the city.
For Curtis, the timing is just right. “It seems like a renaissance—it reminds me of a new age renaissance,” she said of the South Side’s ongoing revitalization. “It’s opportunity if you want it. And it’s out there for anybody who’s looking to grow.”