Brooklyn Shop Reaches Out to Kelly Clarkson Amid Mechanical Bird Dispute

The Brooklyn store, The Art of Play, has made repeated efforts to contact singer Kelly Clarkson following a public dispute over a mechanical bird, according to a source close to the shop. Despite the ongoing feud, the store has seen an outpouring of support from local businesses and residents.

Clarkson accused store staffers of treating her rudely during a visit last weekend, likening the experience to Julia Roberts' character in the film "Pretty Woman." She shared her account on social media, stating that she was "looked at as if I couldn’t afford it" and offered a less expensive alternative. The singer also accused the store of lying about the interaction.

In response, The Art of Play stated that Clarkson had inquired about purchasing a large mechanical bird named "Molly," which was not for sale. Store co-owner Adam Rubin explained that the bird is a permanent display and that its creator takes years to produce such items. Rubin claimed that his employee offered to show Clarkson a similar, less expensive automaton.

Rubin has since stated that his employees did not recognize Clarkson and treated her like any other customer. He accused Clarkson of using her celebrity status to attack a small business, resulting in the store receiving hateful messages. However, he also extended an invitation for Clarkson to return to the store.

Security footage from the visit, which was later leaked, showed Clarkson browsing the shop for a short period before appearing to leave abruptly. The Art of Play store, which sells items such as collectible playing cards, puzzles, and games, has reportedly seen increased foot traffic since the incident, with some customers visiting specifically to see the mechanical bird.

Clarkson has not publicly responded to the store's recent attempts to contact her or Rubin's account of the events.