Brooklyn Store Engulfed in Feud with Kelly Clarkson Over Mechanical Bird
A Brooklyn novelty shop, situated in the tranquil neighborhood of Cobble Hill, found itself in an unexpected spotlight thanks to a dispute involving Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson. The shop, Art of Play, has been thrust into a social media whirlwind after Clarkson shared her displeasure about their refusal to sell her a mechanical bird.
Clarkson made the matter public by comparing her treatment at the shop to a famous scene from the film Pretty Woman, suggesting she was wrongly perceived as unable to afford the item. Her mention of a $15,000 price led to an uproar among her followers.
The store, however, defended its stance, stating that the mechanical bird, affectionately named Molly, is a non-saleable fixture, firmly affixed to the wall. Despite Clarkson’s five-minute shopping expedition, the store offered her an alternative—an identical bird available for purchase at the quoted price of $15,000 and another more affordable option from a German clockmaking shop.
Following the revelation to the BBC, the shop noted a surge in unwanted attention and harassment following Clarkson’s social media posts. Staff members have reportedly been subject to threats, making the situation particularly challenging for the small business.
Surveillance footage offered to news outlets depicted the singer casually perusing the store’s displays, enhancing public interest and fuelling debate. The footage, lacking audio, displayed her interaction with a shop employee as she pointed toward the bird, then later returned to converse animatedly with the cashier before exiting.
Despite the unwanted fame, daily customers surprisingly displayed a lack of awareness regarding the issue until confronted by reporters. Local patron Kiran Ramineni vouched for the store’s reputation, describing it as a friendly neighborhood shop where he has always received courteous service.
While tensions persist over the original incident, some patrons, like Emily Trantanella, continue to support and cherish their experiences at Art of Play, expressing confusion over Clarkson’s allegations.
Photo by Motoki Tonn on Unsplash
