The mall opened in 1977 with three anchor stores, Sears (closed in 2017), Dayton's (became Marshall Fields in 2001, now Macy's since 2006), and Powers Dry Goods[3] (became Donaldson's in 1985, Carson Pirie Scott in 1987, Mervyn's in 1995, Steve & Barry's in 2004, and then split between a former Gordman's on the first level and Dick's Sporting Goods on the second level since 2009) as anchors.

[4] Sears and Powers announced jointly in May 1971 that they had acquired a 114-acre plot of land in Burnsville, Minnesota from Rimnac and Hanson with the intention of developing a regional shopping center.

[5] The land purchased was located on the southwest corner of the intersection on Interstate 35W and County Road 42.

Among the other stores open at the mall at that time were GNC, RadioShack, Jeans West, Topps & Trowsers, Berman Buckskin (later Wilsons Leather), Gallenkamp Shoes, Liemandt's, Rings 'n Things, Peck & Peck, Nina B, Cedrics, B. Dalton, Goodman Jewelers, Schaak Electronics, Thom McAn, Fanny Farmer, Toys Plus, Malings Shoes, The Banque Store, 1st Barber Stylist Company, Nutrition World, Pearle Vision, Kinney Shoes, Spencer Gifts, Desmond's Formal Wear, Artsign, National Uniform Shops, County Seat, Midland Records, Pipe Den, Unique Keepsake Diamond Center, Foot Locker, Hanover Shoe Store, Swiss Colony (later Colony Brands), Foxmoor Casuals, Waldenbooks, Record Bar, Gordon's Jewelers (later acquired by Zale Corporation), Bachman's, Morrow's Nut House, Frederick's of Hollywood, Bejeweled, Brown Photo, The Gap Gap Inc., Travel World of Minnesota, Bakers Shoes (Edison Brothers Stores), Merry-Go-Round, Kreiser Real Estate, UA Theater (later acquired by Regal Cinemas), Panache, Aladdin's Castle, Carousel Hot Dogs, Team Electronics, and Kinderfoto.

[13] One year after the mall opened, it was reported in August 1978 that J.C. Penney would be building a store and become the fourth anchor.

[17] Donaldson's purchased Powers Dry Goods in June 1985, resulting in the first name change for an anchor at Burnsville Center.

Many area malls, including Burnsville Center, were concerned by the new competition, and made some adjustments in an effort to compete against the new mega-mall.

[27] There was speculation that Burnsville Center was at a crossroads in April 2017, as malls were becoming less traditional and needed to reinvent themselves in order to stay vital.

[33] In August 2020, CBL & Associates announced that Burnsville Center would go into foreclosure, as $64.5 million in loans was owed on the property.

[34] The mall’s debt at auction was sold for $18 million in October 2020 to the Kohan Retail Investment Group.

[37] As of September 2023, Pacific Square and Wyn Group purchased the remaining portion of the mall, with the exception of the three anchor stores; and has plans of redevelopment.

[38] As of May 2023, the former Sears building sits vacant and dilapidated, and has been declared as a fire hazard by the City of Burnsville.