HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. -- Mars Chocolate North America and Mars Retail Group has announced plans to open the first-ever pilot M&M'S World store, in Hackettstown, N.J., to celebrate the company's long-term connection to the community. The Mars Chocolate North America Hackettstown headquarters and facility, which has produced M&M's since 1958, employs more than 1,200 associates.
In addition to the temporary M&M's World Store, the town of Hackettstown and Mayor Maria DiGiovanni plan to rename a stretch of High Street in front of the Mars site in Hackettstown in honor of M&M's. Local residents and Mars associates chose a new name as part of a special contest coordinated by Mars; it will be unveiled during a dedication ceremony near the facility on October 16, when the store will open for business.
It will remain open through October 31.
The Hackettstown store will feature many of the same fixtures and merchandise fans can find in the flagship M&M's World stores in New York, Las Vegas, Orlando and London. Mars is also developing special merchandise featuring a "Made in Hackettstown" logo in partnership with Abilities, a statewide agency that is dedicated to improving the employability and quality of life for people with disabilities. A percentage of the profits from specially marked merchandise will benefit the Hackettstown Business Development fund.
"We're extremely proud to call Hackettstown home," said Debra A. Sandler, president of Mars Chocolate NA. "The communities where we live and work are as much a part of our identity as the products we make. We appreciate the recognition from the town and Mayor DiGiovanni and look forward to celebrating with all of our neighbors at our Hackettstown M&M'S World store next month."
Mars Chocolate is the North American chocolate operations of Mars Inc. Based in McLean, Va., Mars Inc. has net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks and Symbioscience. Mars brands include Chocolate: M&M's, Snickers, Dove, Galaxy, Mars, Milky Way and Twix; Petcare: Pedigree, Whiskas, Sheba, Cesar and Royal Canin; Wrigley: Orbit, Extra, Starburst, Doublemint and Skittles; Food: Uncle Ben's, Dolmio, Ebly, Masterfoods and Seeds of Change; Drinks: Alterra Coffee Roasters, The Bright Tea Co., Klix and Flavia; and Symbioscience: Seramis, Cirku and Cocoavia.
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