Mario grew up in the clothing business, spending his early days at Wilson’s Shirt Shop, a business started by his father, Mario Bisio, Sr., in 1937.
The first Mario’s opened in Lloyd Center in 1960, where Mario was a sales associate as a teen. He remained involved in the store’s management throughout his undergraduate years at the University of Oregon, and he and his father became full business partners in 1973, when Mario became the store’s buyer.
Mario’s entered a new era in 1975, with a new logo, packaging, and a newly designed physical plant. The upgraded identity was hugely successful and led to the opening of the Galleria location in 1978, which doubled the store’s size. Mario’s for Women opened in 1981, and was rebuilt from the ground up in 1999.
In 1982, Mario’s opened its Seattle store in 20,000 square feet of limestone and blonde hardwoods with soaring ceilings and a magnificent grand staircase. And in 2002,Mario’s combined the men’s and women’s Portland stores into one location, creating the perfect showcase for the very best pieces from the world’s greatest designers and artisans.
Mario’s latest adventure began in 2006 with the creation of Mario’s 3.10, a celebration of style’s more playful side. Both a free-standing location at
Bridgeport Village and departments within the other stores, Mario’s 3.10 offers an unmatched selection of denim, sport and casual wear, not to mention lots of other fun things.
There’s no telling where we’ll go from here.
Live with passion.Play with style.
