SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- The Empire Mall in Sioux Falls is celebrating a major milestone as Wednesday marks exactly 50 years since its opening.

It was September 24, 1975, when the then Sioux Empire Plaza opened on the southern edge of Sioux Falls.

"We started with 47 stores and anchored with Younkers and Herbergers," Dan Gies, general manager of the Empire Mall, said.

Today, there are over 110 stores -- some of which have been here since the beginning, including Riddles Jewelry and Maurices.

That's where we found Stephanie Wipf from Huron shopping.

"I come here almost every time we come to town," Wipf said.

She's not the only person from out of town who makes the Empire Mall a regular stop while in Sioux Falls.

"We don't get up here that often but when we do we like to stop here,

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