Huh: It Turns Out the Creator of Yankee Candle Had an Impressive Car Collection

      Douglas Elliman

      As a child, my mother frequently took me to Yankee Candle at the mall, and it was always agonizing. No kid wants to spend 40 minutes in a store just to experience the scent of pistachio latte candles. Perhaps my discomfort could have been softened had I realized that the company's founder was a huge car enthusiast.

      Michael Kittredge, who founded Yankee Candle, passed away in 2019 at the age of 67, leaving behind a substantial estate. When it went on the market in 2023, it became the largest residential property in Massachusetts, featuring multiple structures that total an impressive 120,000 square feet. Among these was a garage that housed an extensive collection of high-performance supercars and luxury vehicles, both modern and classic. Although the collection is quite typical for a wealthy individual and somewhat lacks originality and flair, it is still impressive that Kittredge used his candle profits to collect such high-end machinery.

      Douglas Elliman

      Though his entire collection is not listed, several sleek cars can be seen in the real estate listing. Kittredge owned at least a pair of Jaguar XK120s, three mid-engine Ferraris, a Lamborghini Gallardo, numerous Porsches, an Aston Martin DB9, a Bentley Continental GT, and a Shelby Cobra, among others. While many affluent individuals possess similar collections filled with multiple Italian exotics and some American classics—often recommended in their rich guy handbooks—Kittredge’s lineup certainly earns him a place in the Cool Car Club.

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      It's unfortunate that Kittredge didn't create a small track on his property; with 60 acres, he certainly had room. Considering the 50,000-square-foot spa, indoor water park, nine-hole golf course, and a massive tennis court that also serves as an auditorium and arcade, he clearly wasn’t hesitant to spend money. He even had actual seats from the Boston Garden—the stadium where the Celtics used to play, which was demolished in 1997—and one of the seats bears the signature of NBA legend Larry Bird. Another one of his treasured collectibles included Stubs’ wooden hand from Happy Gilmore.

      With all that vacant land, his collection of high-performance vehicles, and his willingness to invest significantly, a track would have been a perfect enhancement to Kittredge's home.

      @if you’re interested in this vast estate, prepare for a hefty price tag. The last asking price from agent Johnny Hatem was $23 million, but the current listing indicates that the price is available upon request. It remains uncertain if the cars are included in the sale, but if they are, it could represent a good deal. Not only would you acquire a grand estate fit for royalty, but you'd also possess an incredible supercar collection that’s ready to go.

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