In addition to Joel (Paul Rudd) mentioning that New York City is like another character in the story, in the first scene of the movie, this idea is mentioned on every poster and advertisement, on the movie's website, and in the credits.
The main plot of the story of a small independent candy store going out of business because of a corporate chain candy store is ripped off of You've Got Mail (1998), which was a remake of The Shop Around the Corner (1940).
This movie has much of the cast from Wet Hot American Summer (2001), including, Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Ken Marino, Christopher Meloni, Michael Ian Black, writer Michael Showalter, and writer David Wain.
Paul Rudd guest-starred on Amy Poehler's show, Parks and Recreation (2009) as her rival candidate, Bobby Newport.