Art of Play co-owner says Kelly Clarkson's post was 'like she threw a Molotov cocktail at us'
"We had no idea what would happen to us," Art of Play's co-owner said of Kelly Clarkson. "She did. She's the superstar."
Ben Rubin, co-owner of Art of Play, a Brooklyn-based shop, described Kelly Clarkson's social media post about her alleged poor treatment at their store as a "Molotov cocktail." The viral post placed their small business at the center of an extensive online drama. Rubin said the store received threats online and hugs from supportive strangers.
On Saturday, Clarkson wrote on X that she had visited Art of Play and was treated as if she couldn't afford an item she wanted to buy. She compared the experience to the "Pretty Woman" scene, where Julia Roberts' character is dismissed by salespeople at a luxury store. The shop said Clarkson had asked to buy a one-of-a-kind bird automaton named Molly, which was not for sale.
Clarkson responded by calling the shop "liars." The dispute has pushed a typically quiet Brooklyn neighborhood into a significant online drama, with angry Clarkson fans showing up outside the shop and businesses in the area largely unaware of the online drama.
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