Art of Play, a Brooklyn Heights toy store, became the center of an online firestorm after singer Kelly Clarkson visited and publicly complained about a sales associate allegedly failing to recognize her. The incident centered on a $15,000 yellow mechanical bird named Molly that Clarkson requested. The store initially refused to sell the item, prompting Clarkson to criticize the staff on social media.
In response, Art of Play dramatically raised the bird's price to $15 million, a figure shop owner Adam Rubin described as a reaction to Clarkson's "gross abuse of power." Representatives for Clarkson did not comment on the dispute. The store has since faced a barrage of hateful messages and threats from Clarkson's fans, while neighbors have rallied in support. Despite the viral attention, the owners have not embraced the fame, maintaining that the bird was never intended for sale.
The neighborhood, known for its celebrity residents and high real estate values, now finds this very loud corner of Atlantic Avenue under unprecedented scrutiny.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing