As Joseph Moussa celebrates a decade of business, Mosaic Home & Garden is simply a stepping stone toward his next big move. Read on to learn about Moussa's plans to bring an additional garden center, retail location, restaurant and more to the Lehigh Valley.
Joseph Moussa
Owner + Creative Director
Tell us a little bit about the journey to opening Mosaic Home & Garden!
Post-undergrad, I spent several years working in the corporate sector doing sales. It was there that I started to conjure up my plans for business, which would inevitably turn into the Mosaic & Company brand. After leaving the corporate world, the idea for a home and garden center began to take shape. I spent nine years thinking about it and originally planned to tackle this project with my late father. We spent several years searching for the right location together, and after losing my father five years ago, I stopped looking and refocused on expanding our current business, which at the time focused solely on wedding planning, floral and event design.
Then, unexpectedly, the right location found us out of the blue. Our current home and garden center location became available—and was only a short drive from our current studio. It was then that I pulled the trigger to make the dream a reality.
The greenhouse was previously known as “Hickory Grove,” and was a Lehigh Valley staple for more than 100 years. Talk about the significance of that and how Mosaic Home & Garden has been received by locals.
Hickory Grove Greenhouses was indeed a staple in the area! My family and I used to shop there annually for our garden veggies. It feels really good to reopen the space and welcome the community back to the greenhouses they loved so much! I have been flabbergasted by the warm welcome we have received from customers throughout the Lehigh Valley. The positivity and encouragement was a huge motivator for us as we prepared for the spring season.
What can shoppers expect to find in-store?
Our customers can expect to find a unique variety of tropical houseplants, pottery and home décor to spruce up their indoor spaces. Customers can tackle their outdoor spaces too, as we grow (on-site!) and provide annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs. For the avid or novice gardener, you'll be delighted to find a large selection of plants to cultivate a successful veggie and herb garden at home. After all, there is nothing better than fresh veggies grown at home with your own two hands!
Is there something that readers may be surprised to hear that you offer?
A lot of customers have been surprised to hear we offer fresh-cut floral for delivery in Allentown, Bethlehem and other areas throughout the Lehigh Valley. They have also been surprised (and delighted) to hear we are offering classes and workshops on several garden- and floral-related topics. It's a great way to gather with your friends and family and a wonderful way for us to meet more members of our community.
Tell us more about the workshops we can expect in 2022.
We will be offering workshops on creating kokedamas, terrariums, bonsai, spring and winter wreath-making, succulent pumpkins for fall and much more. As they become available, the workshop schedule can be found on our social media channels and website.
What's the overall vibe like at the center?
The space continues to evolve and grow—no pun intended. Its overall vibe is very relaxing, warm and inviting. Did you know that just 10 minutes in a garden can elevate your mood? We encourage our customers to come in, take a seat at our tables and take it all in. If you're here, do stay a while!
Talk about the Mosaic & Company umbrella. How does the greenhouse fit into all of it?
It's crazy to believe that February 2022 marked 10 years for us in business! Though we initially started the business photographing weddings and events, our goals and priorities have shifted as we have evolved in the industry and honed in on our strong suit and passion. Floral design and wedding planning are now at the forefront of what we do.
The greenhouse is a continuation of our love of floral and nature. It's giving us the privilege to explore the rooted side of things and not just the splendor of fresh-cut flowers. The current greenhouse is the stepping stone for what we have planned for our Allentown location.
Yes, tell us about your Allentown studio location.
We've got some big plans for our Allentown studio located on Cedar Crest Boulevard. Currently, the studio is being utilized for our wedding and event consultations and production. Over time, we plan to develop that into a retail location that will include an additional garden center, restaurant and a café/gelateria. We've got lots of work ahead of us but we are thrilled to bring something unique to the Lehigh Valley.
1096 Milton St., Catasauqua | 610.657.5703 | mosaicandcompany.com
Published as "Get the Goods" in the April 2022 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
