The Mari family began making violin strings in the town of Salle, Italy, in the 14th century. For centuries their factory supplied the finest strings to violin makers including Amati and Stradivari. By the 20th century, the House of Mari was one of the largest manufacturers of musical instrument strings in Italy. It was during that time period the Mari family began to sell their best strings under the brand name La Bella. New York City became the new home to brothers Emilio and Olinto Mari in 1916 when they opened a factory near Union Square. Shortly after the war ended, the brothers moved their factory to Long Island City, New York. They remained there for nearly 40 years after which the company moved to its present location in Newburgh, New York. La Bella is still family owned and the current Chairperson is the daughter of Olinto Mari, Elisabetta Mari Cocco, and the company's President is her son, Richard Cocco, Jr.