Designers: Common Projects + Moscot

Common Projects + Moscot

MOSCOT Eyewear and Eyecare Since 1915 has been a New York City institution for nearly 100 years.
 
The MOSCOT optical roots were first planted by great grandfather, patriarch, Hyman Moscot, who arrived from Eastern Europe via Ellis Island in 1899 and began selling ready-made eyeglasses from a pushcart on Orchard Street on Manhattan’s famed Lower East Side. In 1915, having establishing himself in the neighborhood as the “go-to” guy for glasses, Hyman opened what would become MOSCOT’s first retail space at 94 Rivington Street. Hyman’s son, Sol, began helping his father in the store as a young boy. This would mark the beginning of Sol’s passion for people and opticianry. Sol’s expertise developed quickly and he soon took over the family business and Sol Moscot Opticians, as it was known then, was officially established.  From its original location on Rivington Street, the business changed locations until 1951 when it settled at 118 Orchard Street on the corner of Delancey Street, where the retail store and the MOSCOT Museum remain today.
In 1951, Sol’s son, Joel, began presiding over the “House of MOSCOT” with the same sense of honor and devotion, values and business principles as his father. By the mid 1980s, it was time again for the next generation of Moscot to enter the business and so, Joel’s son, Dr. Harvey Moscot, armed with his Doctor of Optometry with honors, his life lessons in the optical business, and the values of his father and grandfather, embarked upon his career.
In 1992, Joel’s younger son, Kenny Moscot, eagerly entered the family business as well, with a degree in finance, Opticianry and most importantly, a passion for business.
In the succeeding years, Dr. Moscot has evolved MOSCOT Eyecare into a comprehensive eye health care facility using state-of-the-art technology for the diagnosis and treatment of a full range of medical eye conditions, while his sibling, Kenny Moscot, has evolved MOSCOT into one of the hippest and most sought-after eyewear brands in the world.
Together the fourth generation Moscot brothers have expanded the business while maintaining the values their great grandfather set forth 90 years ago, reflected in the company's mission statement: “To offer the best possible optical experience to our customers and patients by dispensing warmth, courtesy and expertise.”