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.

[3] He settled down in Manhattan's Lower East Side neighborhood, 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.

[3] 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.

[6] In 2013, Moscot opened its third flagship store, this time in the Cobble Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn, the façade of which is reminiscent of the family’s first shop at 94 Rivington Street.

[9] In spring 2008, the brand teamed up with fashion designer Chris Benz for a limited edition run of four colors for its classic frame, the "Nebb"; only 200 of each available.

The company has since engaged in collaborations with Simon Miller, Myles Kennedy, Tariq Trotter, Johan Lindeberg for BLK DNM, Common Projects, Helio Ascari, and others.