I ♥ NY

New York. It was crooner Frank Sinatra who melodically told the world that if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. Recently, it seems as though food manufacturers have taken this advice to heart, opening stores in New York City, and proving that they can be successful in the Big Apple and elsewhere.

Last month, Kellogg's opened what could be referred to as a shrine to Pop-Tarts in none other than New York's Times Square. Pop-Tarts World allows visitors to taste desserts like "sushi," a pastry with three varieties of Pop-Tarts minced and wrapped in a fruit roll-up, enjoy a laser light show that simulates the look of frosting, and create a personalized mixed pack of the breakfast treat. Kellogg's anticipates that the store, open seven days a week, will boost the Pop-Tarts brand with its advertising and visibility in the popular location.

With its launch, Pop-Tarts World joined food CPG companies already established in Times Square. In 2006, Mars expanded their M&M's World franchise with a New York store, adding to existing locations on the Las Vegas Strip and in Orlando. At M&M's World, visitors can gawk at the world's largest display of plain and peanut M&M's in 22 different colors and purchase one (or more!) of the more than 4,000 one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs designed solely for the outlet.

Those visiting New York's Times Square will have no shortage of sugar. Hershey's Times Square is a 16-story candy spectacular located at 48th and Broadway that celebrates all things Hershey's. For its opening in October 2002, the store constructed a 215-foot tall, 60-foot wide outdoor façade, complete with 34 dimensional props, four steam machines, more than 4,000 chasing lights, 30 programmable lights, 56 neon letters, 14 front-lit signs, and every modern major signage technique used – making it the largest permanent fixture ever built in Times Square.

Have you visited these stores? Please, share your thoughts, pictures, and stories in the comment section! You can also tell me what other food companies you think need to have a devoted shop in the Big Apple.