In 2021, Destiny USA was included among the top 20 most visited shopping centers in America, attracting over 26 million visitors a year.

In response to a streak of crime starting in 2021, Destiny USA increased security and changed their visitor policy.

In July 1987, The Pyramid Companies announced plans for a 1,000,000 sq ft (93,000 m2) shopping center at the scrap yard site.

Wilmorite, which was building the Great Northern Mall in the nearby town of Clay, was accused by the Syracuse city government of using associates in Connecticut to form the "Citizen's League for an Environmentally Acceptable Northeast," which lobbied against construction of the Carousel Center mall at Oil City.

This offered an events space that would be used for fundraisers, proms, fashion shows, concerts, and other public and private uses.

[5] In 1990, The Pyramid Companies began clearing oil tanks south of the mall for a strip center called Carousel Landing, which would feature 650,000 square feet of additional retail.

[20] In November 1997, less than a month after Lechmere closed as a result of parent company Montgomery Ward eliminating the chain,[21] the Pyramid Companies announced they would build an expansion to Carousel Center that would double the mall size instead of building Carousel Landing.

[31] In 2001, The Pyramid Companies announced an expansion project which would triple the size of the mall, rather than doubling it as previously planned.

[34] However, The Pyramid Companies needed public funds and tax breaks to make the project possible and people worried the mall would be obsolete before all of it was recompensated.

Circuit City previously operated a pocket store in the mall before closing in 2009, after the company failed to find a buyer for itself.

[40] In 2007, The Pyramid Companies proposed the first phase of Destiny USA: a new addition that would add 800,000 square feet (74,000 m2) to Carousel Center.

In late 2009, it was announced that Destiny USA would use RFID technology, but would require tenants to turn over profits from the data tracking to Pyramid.

Destiny USA was set to feature a retail mix including entertainment, luxury, and outlet stores.

In August 2012, the mall's name officially changed to "Destiny USA",[48] ending all references to Carousel Center.

New major stores in the mall included Burlington Coat Factory[49] in the Commons level, Dick's Sporting Goods, and a P.F.

[53] In October 2016, At Home opened as a new anchor,[54] replacing Sports Authority, which closed as a result of the company’s bankruptcy.

[57][58] In August 2020, Lord & Taylor went bankrupt and closed all of its brick-and-mortar stores, as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

[60] An upstate New York mall manager said "Retailers were hesitant to sign deals during the pandemic, but as business is beginning to return to normal, leasing activity is picking up".

[61] By 2023, Destiny USA also announced several newest additions, which include Anthropologie, Ardene, Cuse Ink, Dry Goods Earthbound Trading Co, FYE, Hugo Boss, Offline by Aerie, Lovisa, LoveSac, Hobby Lobby, Rue 21, Untuckit, and Urban Outfitters.

[67][68] In September of the same year, a representative of Newbury Comics revealed that the collectibles chain would open another location in Destiny USA in October.

[69] In the same month, Dry Goods USA, a national retailer that sells clothes for young women, opened on the second level of the mall.

[74] Destiny USA also gave the Syracuse Police Department (SPD) more space on the fifth floor so officers could have a "more expansive, functional work area.

"[81] Sergeant Matthew Malinowski, lieutenant at the time, said that the increase in crime was a result of more people coming to the mall after COVID-19.

The cameras track license plates and alert the police if a wanted or stolen vehicle arrives at the mall.