We all know what a challenge it is to find the perfect pair of sunglasses. For those of us that have to wear prescriptions, it gets tricky and expensive; it’s overwhelming to find something that fits your look, doesn’t overwhelm your bathing suit and can be just as unique as you are. But there’s a real Mom and Pop optical shop right in the heart of NYC that is home to vintage-esque frames, great customer service and the heart of a true family business.
Moscot is a decade old New York City institution renowned worldwide for its iconic eyewear. The old school fourth generation shop is a global fashion brand with heirloom family roots and a celebrity clientele like no other. The MOSCOT Originals, MOSCOT Spirit, and MOSCOT Sun Collections have all been spotted throughout the years on Johnny Depp, Julianne Moore, Paul Rudd, Terry Richardson (you can get your own glasses to match his infamous ones), Dana Carvey, any celeb with an ounce of style and an ‘eff off’ attitude.
Moscot infuses its unmistakably refined, downtown aesthetic with nearly 100 years of eyewear expertise and unparalleled craftsmanship to create its timeless eyewear.
Glasses should enhance your look, not take away from it. It’s part of an aesthetic. No one understands the importance of that more than the guys running the family’s original retail shop on 94 Rivington Street. It’s an authentic slice of New York history, with a mini-museum of the Hyman family and an eclectic clientele. Dr. Hyman opened shop in 1899 from a pushcart on Manhattan’s famed Lower East Side, and while they’ve upgraded the brick and mortar model a bit, the family business is still running strong.
In 1925, Hyman’s son, Sol, joined the family business and at the tender age of only 15 he helped take over the reins of the family’s first shop. By 1936, MOSCOT was settled at 118 Orchard Street, on the corner of Delancey Street, where it remains to this day. In the 50’s, Sol’s son, Joel, began presiding over the “House of MOSCOT.” Charming, dedicated, and devoted to his customers, Joel quickly made his mark — overseeing the shop and conveying the family’s values to his sons, who would soon become the fourth generation of Moscots to take the helm.
The connection to the past helps them hold on to the essence of what it means to be ‘vintage’—quirky, unique, classic and stylish without being overly trendy. It’s hard to resist their off-beat frames and even harder to leave with just one pair of glasses. If you can’t pop in to see the family, Moscot brings the store to you via a very effective ‘try-on’ room from their website, so you can get your hipster fix from anywhere in the world. Their prescription sunglasses keep their vintage vibe without sacrificing style, perfect for surfing in Cali or just driving south till you hit the border.
While now recognized as a global fashion brand, Moscot remains, at heart, a neighborhood optical shop. Four-eyes, geeks, yuppies and hipsters alike, ditch the wire frames. It’s time for a vintage upgrade.
