The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Mosack’s religious gifts celebrates 70 years
Seventy years ago Anthony Joseph Mosack’s enterprise took root based on service to the Catholic Church.
Since then, Mosack’s, a church goods and religious gifts business in Mentor, has grown to reach an array of religious denominations.
“We try to be as ecumenical as possible,” said staff member Audrey Buehner.
A visit to the 8,500-squarefoot, three-level store pays homage to the business’s mission of serving many faiths.
Menorahs, sacred items representative of the Jewish religion, are included in the massive inventory which also contains crosses, Bibles and other symbols used in Christianity.
Along with vestments for Catholic priests, clerical garb for men and women who minister in other sects is available.
Joe Vento, who owns the store along with his wife Betty (Mosack) Vento, noted that many of the articles cross religious lines to reach the entire community.
“People will come in and spend hours amazed at the kinds of products that are integrated,” he said.
Mosack’s had its start in 1947 when Anthony Joseph Mosack, Betty’s father, supplied goods such as pews and stained glass windows to churches. Eventually the family joined him and a retail side was added. In the 1960s they operated a small shop in Mentor-on-the-Lake which then moved to Fairport Harbor in 1977.
In 1992, the business relocated to its present site at 8562 Mentor Ave., next to St. Mary of the Assumption Church.
The building, a century home with a large addition, was formerly occupied by a boat dealership.
At first Mosack’s needed only the main floor, but eventually, a consistently growing inventory required all available space. Twelve rooms within the facility are named for Jesus’ apostles, each marked accordingly.
Another building on the property behind the main structure contains outdoor statues and garden items.
Betty noted that she’s viewed many changes since beginning with the business at an early age. A limited amount of basic items has evolved into “so many more books and resources available for all people,” she said.
Affordability is another evolving element. Some statues, once produced with labor-intensive plaster, are now made with modern materials. However, attractiveness hasn’t suffered. Betty cites a Veronese collection of resin statues dipped in bronze resulting in a rich, metallic appearance.
Among other inventory highlights is a collection of Fontanini nativity sets originating in Italy. Mosack’s is one of the company’s largest distributors.
About 25 percent of business is transacted through online sales. A new website with additional options is set to be introduced in a few weeks.
Another means of reaching out to the community is through book signings. Noted authors Joe Eszterhas and Charles Sidoti have been on hand to personally greet patrons while introducing their books.
The Ventos also are considering activities such as on-site concerts for the future.
“We want to make this location something that serves people in a lot of ways,” Joe said.
He added that with the impending closure of the Family Christian Store, about a mile west of the store in Mentor, more people are becoming familiar with Mosack’s, their staff, and selection of goods and services.
For more information, visit mosacks.com.