Happy 30th birthday, Mall of America!
Thirty years ago today, the Mall of America opened its doors to the public. Built on the site of the Metropolitan Stadium, it was the largest shopping mall in total area and largest in total store vendors in the United States.
The Mall has reflected many broader trends in Minnesota since that opening day. Of its original ‘anchors’ — Nordstrom, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Sears — Bloomingdale’s and Sears are gone, casualties of the general decline of big box retail stores. More recently, the Mall has experienced the same sorts of criminal incidents which have become increasingly common in Minnesota.
But, for now, its a happy 30th to the “Sprawl of America.”