Exclusive | Brooklyn shop reached out to Kelly Clarkson ‘multiple’ times over mechanical bird feud
The Brooklyn shop feuding with Kelly Clarkson over its $15,000 mechanical bird is trying to connect with the singer.
“They have not heard from Kelly but have reached out via multiple channels,” a source in the Art of Play neighborhood exclusively told Page Six.
While the store waits to hear back from the “American Idol” winner, it certainly has locals in its corner following the drama.
“They’ve experienced such an outpouring of support from neighbors and visitors to the store,” the source said. “Anyone who stops by can plainly see. Other businesses have dropped off gift bags and sent flowers.”
“They have gotten nothing but love in real life. The hatred continues online, but they stopped looking days ago,” the source continued.
The store — which sells items like collectible playing cards, puzzles, games and other whimsical home goods — has experienced a boom in interest since making headlines with Clarkson.
“They have absolutely been seeing increased foot traffic with many people coming just to take a selfie with Molly,” a regular customer said of the mechanical bird at the center of the drama.
Prior to the national attention from the “Voice” coach, the store was already a staple for wealthy visitors.
“They get the same repeat customers all of the time,” the shopper said. “It’s always busy. Everything is delicate.”
Clarkson called out store staffers in an X rant last weekend, claiming that she was treated like Julia Roberts’ character in “Pretty Woman” during her visit.
“Just drove all the way to Brooklyn to check out this store I thought looked really rad and had a few things in mind to buy and literally was looked at as if I couldn’t afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me,” she wrote in the post.
“Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale. But y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman. For sure, check it out 👎,” she added.
After taking heat from Clarkson’s fanbase, the store owners responded in a statement, explaining that Clarkson inquired about purchasing a large mechanical bird named “Molly” that wasn’t for sale.
Clarkson fired back in a follow-up post accusing the store of lying.
“Cool, cool. Sure, it wasn’t for sale. That’s the narrative Art of Play is gonna go with 👍,” she wrote on X. “So the whole conversation we had when I asked you if it was for sale whilst pointing to the price tag hanging on the wall with the title Singing Bird didn’t happen as you elevator eyed me saying in a condescending tone ‘yes, it’s for sale but it costs 15,000 dollars so if you’d like me to find something comparable for you I can.’”
“That all never happened and now it’s not for sale. Okay, cool. So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar. Got it ✅.”
She also shared a photo of the feathered automaton next to what appeared to be a $15,000 price tag.
Store co-owner Adam Rubin exclusively spoke with Page Six this week to break down his employees’ version of events.
“She did not take out her Black Card and try to buy the thing off the wall. She was not told no, she was not told to leave,” Rubin said.
“She asked about the bird. It’s on the wall, and attached permanently. It was explained to her that it’s a complicated situation to get these things made,” he continued. “They take years. There’s one guy that makes them, and if we have seriously interested buyers, then we talk to the artist and try to work something out.”
Instead, Rubin claimed his employee asked if the “Since U Been Gone” artist wanted to view a similar automaton priced at $2,000.
“It’s just like [a] he-said, she-said thing, right?” Rubin said. “So she’s going to say one thing, I’m going to say another thing. The point of it is, nothing happened in the shop that was so dramatic that it’s worth throwing a Molotov cocktail into a mom-and-pop business.”
Reps for Clarkson did not immediately return requests for comment.
Rubin accused Clarkson of wielding her celebrity status to publicly attack a small business, claiming that he and his staffers were subsequently inundated with hateful messages.
Rubin noted that no one in the store recognized Clarkson and that she was treated just like any other customer. He also said that, despite their feud, she is welcome back in his store anytime.
Leaked security footage from Clarkson’s visit showed the “Breakaway” singer, dressed casually in a baseball cap and oversized tee, browsing the shop for less than five minutes before appearing to scold staffers and storm out.
