Gracie

Myers of Keswick has been selling British pies and groceries in the West Village since 1985.

Peter Myers opened it on July 4th of that year. On day one, he sold one pork pie. His wife Irene was devastated. Peter looked at her and said, "See, I told you we would double profits in one day." They sold two the next day.

The shop has been there ever since. Shelves packed with Heinz Baked Beans, PG Tips tea, McVitie's digestives, and HP sauce. Peter's homemade sausages have been shipped to Keith Richards, Rod Stewart, and Elton John. His daughter Jennifer runs the place now.

There has always been a cat.

Before Gracie, there was Molly.

Molly became famous in 2006 when she disappeared inside the walls of the building. Peter heard a faint meow coming from between 634 and 636 Hudson Street. He called the fire department. They told him there was nothing they could do.

It took 12 days to get her out.

The story made CNN. Peter's wife Irene heard about it while she was on a trip to Moscow. Pet psychics called offering help. Animal Care and Control sent people. Her rescue was announced at a Mets game. When they finally freed her, she appeared on Regis and Kelly, Good Day New York, and most of the local papers.

Molly lived at the shop for 15 more years after that. She passed away in December 2021 after a short battle with cancer.

A month later, they adopted Gracie.

Gracie came in after all of that. The shelves of British imports were already there. So were the customers who come in for meat pies and stay to pet the cat. So were the black and white tiled floors that have been there since 1985.

She is playful. She loves meeting new people. She walks the aisles with the confidence of a cat who has never been stuck in a wall and does not intend to start now.

The health code says cats do not belong in food establishments. Jennifer pays the fines when they come. She has done the math. The customers expect a cat. They have expected one since Molly. If Gracie were gone, they would notice.

"She has some big paws to fill," the shop's website says. "But we are confident she will do a great job. As long as she stays away from small spaces between buildings, we should be ok."

Gracie is still there, walking the aisles under shelves of tea, beans, biscuits, and HP sauce.