historic $10 million complex, which opened in 1956 with around 50 shops. 40,000 visitors attended the grand opening of the mall and immediately its success exceeded all expectations. Southdale became Dayton's third store; it was the company's second location and first in a series of shopping centers in the Twin Cities. In November 1954, Dayton's announced it had acquired Fantle Bros. Department Store in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This marked the first purchase and location for a Dayton's-owned store outside of Minnesota, but it kept the Fantle name instead of converting to the Dayton's nameplate. In 1955, Dayton's announced the acquisition of land in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, for a shopping mall. Prior to the opening of Southdale Center, Dayton's was planning to construct a second shopping center to be called "Northdale", but the name was changed to Brookdale. Brookdale was not scheduled to be constructed immediately. In June 1958, Dayton's announced plans with the Radisson Hotels, adjacent to the downtown store, to construct a joint parking ramp for customers and guests of both companies and downtown visitors in general. The ramp was constructed to accommodate 750 cars, which did not make it the largest in town, but was designed for quick and convenient accessibility for patrons to both properties. Also in 1958, Dayton's merged with Schuneman's Department Store in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Dayton's also announced it had acquired choice retail property in downtown St. Paul to construct a new store in the future. The Dayton's-Schuneman's store continued operations in the Schuneman's building. Schuneman's was thought to have annual sales of $12-$15 million at the time, while Dayton's was thought to be around $80 million. By early 1960, Dayton's owned all property on the block fronted by Wabasha, Cedar, and 6th and 7th Streets in St. Paul. 1960s In February 1962, after acquiring additional property needed to expand in St. Paul, Dayton's announced the plans for a new five-story building and parking ramp for 650 cars, all located in one structure. Brookdale Center opened in Brooklyn Center in March 1962. Planned before the successful opening of Southdale Center, Brookdale was the second shopping center developed by Dayton's, and further expanded its retail footprint into the growing suburbs. Dayton's was to construct and open a 195,000 sq ft Dayton's store at Brookdale in phase two of construction, opening in July 1966. The new St. Paul store opened in August 1963 with 380,000