by Jessica Easthope
GRAMERCY, N.Y. — At Pete’s Tavern they call it “Table 3,” but for Monica Ballard it’s more than just a seat — it’s an invitation into the mind of her favorite writer.
“It is absolutely part of the whole Will Porter pilgrimage that I am taking this summer,” Ballard said.
Will Porter, better known as O. Henry, the author of hundreds of pieces of writing over his prolific career, including the one he wrote right here in this booth, “Gift of the Magi.” Monica came all the way from Austin, Texas.
“It was a dream of mine to come here and sit where he wrote that remarkable story,” she said.
Managing partner Gary Egan says she’s not the first and she won’t be the last.
“So many people travel here just to see this booth. O. Henry lived at 55 Irving Place. We’re 66, so he was literally on the next block. This was his watering hole. We have two letters that he wrote, in his handwriting. We’ve always taken good care of them. Make it make sure they’re preserved,” Egan said.
Egan has worked at Pete’s Tavern for 40 years. He’s poured his blood, sweat and tears into preserving the New York City landmark. Everything with the exception of electricity and air conditioning is exactly as it was the day it opened in 1864.
“I became a partner in the business in 1998 and I just love the place, love it like it’s a human being. You know, I love this restaurant as much as you could love bricks and mortar. It’s my heart and soul really is. It has so much history and so much love,” Egan said.
Love is at the center of Pete’s Tavern and a core message in “Gift of the Magi,” a Christmas story about a poor couple. The man and woman both give everything they have out of love to buy each other gifts.
“The funny thing is about gifts of the Magi is that Will thought he had been fired from the New York world. But he had one more Christmas story to turn in, and the newspaper sent a copy boy to sit with him as he wrote it, so it could be turned in for publication the next day. Everybody loves a deadline, right?” Ballard said.
For Catholics the story resonates deeply, mirroring the sacrifice at the heart of the faith.
“Having God in your life every day, it’s not about the money or the business. We are extremely busy all the time. I just feel we’re giving something to people. There’s something so much more to it,” Egan said.
Monica wrote a play about how “Gift of the Magi” came to be. “O. Henry’s Christmas Miracle” will make its debut on stage back in Texas in December of 2027.
“I think what’s important as far as the Catholic message of giving and receiving is that in that giving, you yourself are blessed,” Ballard said.
She traveled a long way to sit where O. Henry did at Pete’s Tavern. What Monica got was a great burger and the opportunity of a lifetime.