The Portland-based luxury fashion store Mario's just celebrated its 50th birthday with a long-awaited increase in sales.

This is good news for a business that had to let go 20% of its staff in 2009, and seems to be the trend for other high-end retailers.

By spring, [Mario Bisio] logged his best-ever trunk show sale at an event featuring a top Italian designer known for his cashmere lines. And while he hasn't yet reached pre-recession sales totals, he said, the company has logged high single- to low double-digit percentage point increases starting in July. He's forecasting similar growth for the fall season.

"Most people changed their shopping patterns, even our wealthiest customers," Bisio said. "Last year made them cranky, not in the mood or just determined to wait and watch to see where things were headed."

Read more at OregonLive.com.