After 22 years, Mall of America® continues to grow and thrive

BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Aug. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mall of America® celebrates its 22^nd birthday today, August 11, and after more than two decades, the nation's largest entertainment and retail complex continues to thrive in a retail market that is rapidly evolving.

On opening day in 1992 the Mall welcomed more than 150,000 guests and it was the first day of work for over 10,000 employees. Originally home to 350 stores and 30 dining options the Mall has grown to more than 520 stores and 60 dining options. It is also home to the nation's largest indoor theme park, Nickelodeon Universe which recently opened the nation's longest indoor zip line attraction.

Mall of America has always been big – and in fact it has set several world records. In 2006 the Mall constructed the World's Largest Gingerbread House with 14,500 pounds of gingerbread, 4,500 pounds of frosting and 2 tons of candy – it was the most delicious record ever set at MOA. The Mall has also hosted the World's Largest Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long, the World's Largest Gathering of Ninja Turtles and the World's Largest Cupcake. Over the years the Mall has had seven full-size homes constructed inside the building, and it hosts more than 400 events every year.

Mall of America continues to grow and evolve. It is currently adding more than 700,000 square feet which will include a 342 room JW Marriott hotel, a seven story office tower, more than 60 additional retail offerings, a new dining area, an events atrium and a tourism welcome center. This new addition will become the official "front door" to the Mall and will open just in time to celebrate the Mall's 23^rd birthday in 2015.

Mall of America By The Numbers:
40+ million annual visitors
4.87 million square feet
1.3 million gallon aquarium at SEA LIFE
32,000 tons of trash recycled each year
30,000 live trees and plants inside the building
15,000 employees
12,550 on-site parking spaces in the two ramps
7,000 weddings have been performed at MOA
520 stores
86 hours is how long it would take to complete your visit if you spend just 10 minutes in each store
32 Boeing 747s could fit inside the Mall
8 acres of skylights
7 Yankee Stadiums could fit inside the Mall
4.3 miles of total store front footage

About Mall of America®

Mall of America is the nation's largest retail and entertainment complex. At 4.2 million square feet, MOA is home to more than 520 world-class shops; Nickelodeon Universe®, the nation's largest indoor family amusement park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, a 1.2 million gallon walk-through aquarium; Moose Mountain Adventure Golf; Theatres at Mall of America® - a 14-screen movie theater with VIP theatre and more. The Mall opened in August of 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., just minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. Follow Mall of America on Facebook and Twitter or visit our blog.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140811/135096

SOURCE Mall of America