BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — It's been 20 years since Mall of America in Bloomington made its debut.

The shopping and tourism destination is marking the milestone with a birthday celebration on Friday and Saturday. The mall opened to the public on August 11, 1992.

KARE-TV reports that 150,000 people showed up on that opening day (http://kare11.tv/RxdKOl ). Since then, more than 800 million visitors have crossed its threshold, generating $1 billion in sales annually.

The establishment has weathered economic ups and downs by being both a tourist attraction and a destination for high-end shopping.

The mall had 333 stores when it opened and now has 520 stores. Construction is now underway on a major "phase two" project that includes a Radisson Hotel.