Burnsville Center facts for kids
| Location | Burnsville, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Opening date | August 3, 1977 |
| Developer | Homart Development |
| Owner | Kohan Retail Investment Group |
| No. of stores and services | 100 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 5 |
| Total retail floor area | about 1,100,000 sq ft (100,000 m2) |
| No. of floors | 2 plus basement food court (1 in Dick's Sporting Goods and Gordman's) |
| Website | burnsvillecenter.com |
Burnsville Center is a large shopping mall located in Burnsville, Minnesota. It has about 100 stores spread across three floors. The mall first opened its doors in 1977. When it started, it had three main "anchor" stores: Sears, Dayton's, and Powers Dry Goods. Over the years, these anchor stores changed names or were replaced. For example, Dayton's became Marshall Field's and then Macy's. Powers Dry Goods changed many times, eventually becoming a space split between a former Gordman's and Dick's Sporting Goods.
Contents
The History of Burnsville Center
Planning and Building the Mall (1971–1976)
In 1971, two big stores, Sears and Powers, announced they had bought a large piece of land in Burnsville. Their plan was to build a huge shopping center there. Two years later, in 1973, the company building the mall, Homart Development Company (which was part of Sears), shared more details. They said the mall would be very big, costing about $30 million. It was expected to open in late 1975 or early 1976.
Construction began in 1974. During this time, the mall was sometimes called Burnhaven Shopping Center. Builders made sure the mall would be easy for people with disabilities to use. This was a very thoughtful idea, as it was 15 years before a law called the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 made such features common. The opening date was later moved to August 1977.
Grand Opening Day (1977)
Burnsville Center officially opened on August 3, 1977. It was a big event with special guests like Pat Paulsen and Miss USA. About 29,000 people visited the mall on its first day! The mall was designed to hold around 165 stores, and about 95 of them were ready for shoppers on opening day.
First Stores at the Mall
On opening day, the four main anchor stores were Dayton's, J.C. Penney, Powers Dry Goods, and Sears. Many other popular stores were also open, such as GNC (store), RadioShack, B. Dalton (a bookstore), Spencer Gifts, Foot Locker, Waldenbooks, and The Gap. There was even a movie theater called UA Theater and an arcade called Aladdin's Castle!
Growing in the 1980s
Just one year after opening, in 1978, J.C. Penney decided to build its own store and become a fourth anchor. The mall was doing very well, and many stores were happy with their sales.
In 1983, the mall was sold to a new owner. The management also changed. The Powers Dry Goods store changed its name to Donaldson's in 1985. Later, Donaldson's became Carson's, and then Mervyn's. Even though Burnsville Center was one of the largest malls in the area in 1985, it was not the top in sales. However, by its 10th birthday in 1987, most of the original stores were still there, and almost all the spaces were rented out.
In 1989, some big changes happened inside the mall. A long, carpeted ramp that connected the floors was removed. In its place, new stairwells and elevators were added. This change made the food court much larger, able to hold 490 people instead of 180. Restrooms were also updated to include changing stations for babies.
Changes in the 1990s
When the Mall of America opened nearby in 1992, many malls, including Burnsville Center, worried about the new competition. Burnsville Center found that many of its shoppers were families where both parents worked. So, the mall changed its weekend hours to make it easier for them to shop. In 1998, a company called CBL & Associates bought the mall for $81 million.
The 2000s and 2010s
In 2001, Burnsville Center had its first major makeover since it opened. This renovation brought new stores, fresh carpet, a redesigned food court, and better lighting. A carousel was also added. During this time, the Dayton's store changed its name to Marshall Field's, and later, in 2006, it became Macy's.
When Mervyn's closed in 2004, the mall used that space to create two new anchor stores: Steve & Barry's on the lower level and Dick's Sporting Goods on the upper level. They also built an outdoor shopping area next to Dick's. A large stone fireplace was added, and the carousel that had been there for five years was removed.
By 2017, people wondered about the future of Burnsville Center. Many malls were changing, but Burnsville Center hadn't added anything new in 10 years. In 2017, the Sears store at the mall closed down.
Recent Years (2020s)
In August 2020, Burnsville Center had about 90 stores and restaurants. The old Sears store was empty. Also, the Gordman's store closed due to bankruptcy. In 2020, the mall faced financial trouble because of the coronavirus shutdowns. However, the mall was expected to stay open. In October 2020, a new company called Kohan Retail Investment Group bought the mall's debt. This sale did not include the J.C. Penney, Macy’s, or former Sears stores, as they are owned separately.
Getting There (Transit)
Burnsville Center is also a place where you can catch a bus. The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) has bus service that connects the mall to other places. The bus stop at Burnsville Center is located near where the Sears auto center used to be.
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