Moscot

Moscot is an American luxury eyewear brand, headquartered in New York City, specializing in optical frames and sunglasses. It was founded on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1915 by Hyman Moscot, and is one of the oldest local businesses in New York City, as well as the 21st oldest eyewear company in the world still operating. It remains privately owned by the Moscot family.

History

Early years, 20th century

In 1899, when he was in his 20s, Jewish-Belarusian immigrant Hyman Mushcot arrived in New York City through Ellis Island, allegedly where his surname was shortened and changed to Moscot. He settled down in Manhattan's Lower East Side, and having already worked in the optical business in his home country, he began selling ready-made eyeglasses from a wooden pushcart on Orchard Street. He spoke only Yiddish, and served the many immigrants that poured into the Lower East Side at the turn of the century.

In 1910, Hyman married fellow immigrant Leba. Five years later, with a family rapidly growing, he opened his first retail store at 94 Rivington Street, filling its windows with signs, posters, and drawings of giant eyes and glasses. (Because of this, some journalists have speculated that the shop, which sat close to the Williamsburg bridge, was F. Scott Fitzgerald’s inspiration for the Doctor T. J. Eckleburg billboard in The Great Gatsby, which the novelist was writing during the same years.)

Hyman and Leba had six children. In 1925, at 15 years old, Hyman’s youngest son, Solomon, nicknamed "Sol," took over the business, and in 1935, moved the shop to its location at 118 Orchard Street, where it would be located for nearly eight decades.