A boutique toy shop in the Cobble Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn has become the center of a social media controversy after musician Kelly Clarkson publicly criticized her experience there during a recent visit. The store, Art of Play, has reported receiving threats and harassment in the wake of the singer’s comments, which have drawn significant attention to the small business.
During her visit on Saturday, which lasted approximately five minutes, Clarkson expressed interest in a singing mechanical bird mounted on the store wall. The singer later claimed on social media that she was treated poorly by staff, suggesting she was looked at as if she could not afford the item, which she identified as having a $15,000 price tag. She likened the experience to the film Pretty Woman, where a customer is treated dismissively by shop staff. According to the Since U Been Gone singer claimed she was “looked at as if I couldn’t afford” the bird – which she, Had a price tag of $15,000 (£11,000). Y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts’ character in Pretty Woman,” she said, referring to a scene from the 1990 romantic comedy film where Roberts’ character is treated poorly by staff at a shop, who imply she cannot afford various items. She can be seen talking with an employee – apparently about the bird as she points at it – and later moving to leave the store.
Store Response and Account Details
- Item status: The bird, named Molly, is permanently attached to the shop wall and is not available for purchase.
- Staff actions: An employee reportedly suggested Clarkson could buy an identical bird for $15,000.
- Alternative offer: The shop also offered her a different singing bird sourced from a German clock-maker for $2,000.
- Business impact: Ownership stated they have faced significant threats and harassment since the online complaint, with the owner noting that the singer’s public remarks have endangered staff.
The situation has escalated, with a man recently filmed outside the shop shouting expletives and accusing the employees of racial profiling against Clarkson. Meanwhile, surveillance footage from the store, which lacks audio, has circulated online. The video appears to show the singer wearing a backpack and cap while browsing, interacting with an employee, and eventually leaving, only to return briefly to speak with the cashier.
The store has publicly expressed disbelief at the intensity of the reaction, noting that they have been targeted by millions of social media users who have never visited the physical location. A spokesperson for the shop described the experience as surreal, emphasizing that they are a local business attempting to return to normal operations despite the influx of media and cameras.
While the online debate persists, local experiences remain varied. Some nearby residents and regular customers have defended the store as a friendly, small-scale establishment. Other individuals visiting the shop on Wednesday were reportedly unaware of the viral controversy until arriving to find members of the press on the premises. Currently, the mechanical bird remains on display at the shop, now accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek sign labeling it the world’s most famous singing bird automata and a mock price tag of $15 million. A novelty toy and games store in a quiet part of New York City was seeing much busier foot traffic than usual, on a rainy Wednesday afternoon.
Important Details
- According to in a follow-up post on social media, Clarkson, The store had told her the bird cost $15,000 and that they could find her something else “comparable”.
- It’s been a surreal experience to be the focus of such widespread outrage after just one mention by a celebrity.
- Saying: “I never blast people but you my friend were an exception, clarkson defended her decision to criticise the store on social media.
- According to a shopkeeper, They would not comment on the story anymore and just wanted to get back to business as usual.
