Moscot
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Eyewear |
| Founded | 1915 in Manhattan, New York City, United States |
| Founder | Hyman Moscot |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | International (including New York City, Seoul, Tokyo, London, Zurich) |
Key people | Harvey Moscot (president), Zack Moscot (chief eyewear designer) |
| Products | Optical frames, sunglasses |
| Owner | Moscot family (privately owned) |
Moscot is a prestigious American eyewear company based in New York City, renowned for its optical frames and sunglasses. Established in 1915 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side by Hyman Moscot, it stands as one of the oldest businesses in New York City and ranks as the 21st longest-standing eyewear firm globally. The Moscot family continues to privately own the enterprise.
Early years, 20th century
In 1899, Hyman Mushcot, a Jewish immigrant from Belarus, arrived in New York City, where his surname was shortened to Moscot. Settling on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, he utilized his expertise in optics to sell ready-made eyeglasses from a wooden pushcart on Orchard Street, catering primarily to the local immigrant population. By 1915, with a growing family, he established his first retail outlet at 94 Rivington Street, distinguished by a unique sign featuring large eyes and glasses.
Hyman and his wife Leba raised six children. At age 15 in 1925, their youngest son Solomon (“Sol”) assumed control of the business and later moved the store in 1935 to 118 Orchard Street, where it remained for nearly eighty years. The storefront became a neighborhood landmark with its bright yellow sign displaying black-rimmed glasses. The company persevered through the challenges of the Great Depression.
In 1951, Sol’s son Joel took over management and led Moscot for more than five decades, embedding family principles into the business culture. Joel’s sons, Harvey and Kenny, joined during the 1980s and 1990s respectively—Harvey trained as an optometrist at Boston’s New England College of Optometry (graduating in 1986), while Kenny brought financial expertise after earning his degree in 1991. In 1996, Moscot expanded by launching a second location at 69 W. 14th Street, which has since become its flagship store in downtown Manhattan.
21st century
Following Joel Moscot’s retirement in 2003, the company underwent rebranding from Sol Moscot to simply Moscot. The fourth-generation siblings evolved the local optical shop into an internationally recognized brand. After the passing of his brother in 2010, Harvey Moscot assumed the role of president. In 2013, Moscot moved its flagship store from 118 Orchard Street to a new site at 108 Orchard Street, where it remains today. This location is also featured on the Lower East Side Tenement Museum’s historical tours. That same year marked the debut of another flagship store in Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill neighborhood, designed to reflect the style of the original 94 Rivington Street storefront. Further global growth included retail outlets opening in Seoul, Tokyo, and London.
Harvey’s son Zack Moscot, who graduated with a degree in industrial and product design from the University of Michigan, joined the company full-time in 2013 and currently serves as chief eyewear designer—representing the fifth generation engaged with Moscot.
In 2022, Moscot entered the European market by inaugurating a store in Zurich, Switzerland.
In spring 2008, Moscot partnered with fashion designer Chris Benz to release a limited edition version of its iconic "Nebb" frame. Since then, collaborations have extended to various brands and artists such as Simon Miller, Myles Kennedy, Tariq Trotter, Johan Lindeberg for BLK DNM, Common Projects, and Helio Ascari.
Although firmly rooted in New York heritage and identity, Moscot has sourced its frame manufacturing from China for several decades.
Artists and celebrities
Moscot has cultivated a notable brand presence through partnerships with prominent American artists and public figures. Actor Justin Theroux, a devoted patron, inspired the creation of a frame named after the eyewear worn by his character in the 2001 movie Mulholland Drive. In 2011, Moscot introduced a limited run of 350 pairs called "Terry," developed in collaboration with photographer Terry Richardson.
The "Grunya" frame was unveiled in 2014 as a joint effort with The Roots lead singer Tariq Trotter. Additionally, actor Johnny Depp enhanced the brand's profile by sporting Moscot's "Lemtosh" frames in the 2004 film Secret Window.
In 2019, Moscot designed The MILTZEN in Crystal featuring a bespoke Rose Tint for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s exhibition, Andy Warhol—From A to B and Back Again, demonstrating its connection to esteemed cultural venues.