Updated October 13, 2026, 1:43 p.m. ET
BROOKLYN, NY – Amid an ongoing dispute with Kelly Clarkson, New York specialty store Art of Play has been met with both backlash and support – and it’s fighting back with a significant increase in the price of the piece at the center of the controversy.
The curiosity store’s Brooklyn location has been embroiled in back-and-forth with the singer, who took to social media on Oct. 10 to accuse the store of treating her like she couldn’t afford a $15,000 mechanical songbird named Molly that the store was apparently selling. She compared her visit that day to the famous scene from “Pretty Woman,” in which Julia Roberts’ character is turned away from an expensive store.
Adam Rubin, 43, one of Art of Play’s co-owners, said the store has been overwhelmed since Clarkson busted the store.
He said phone lines and emails were flooded with threatening messages. Neighbors in the area have been harassed and harassed, he added.
Art of Play store owner fears worker safety after Kelly Clarkson visit
“It’s a very surreal experience,” he said, adding: “We are afraid for the safety of our merchants. Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger.”
In her post, Clarkson said she was “literally considered as if I couldn’t afford” the bird, “and told he could find something comparable for me.” In Art of Play’s social media responses, the company said the bird “is permanently attached to the wall and is not for sale,” but it offered to show him another songbird made by another artist, which cost $2,000.
Art of Play’s quirky collection of home goods and puzzles includes everything from a $1,200 clap machine to personalized playing cards. There is a 26-seat theater in the back where magic shows are performed.
Rubin said no one in the store recognized Clarkson when she entered. He added that the store was “packed” and that Clarkson had been there “for less than five minutes.”
“We treated her like a normal person but apparently that didn’t meet her expectations,” Rubin said, noting that Clarkson scolded a shopkeeper on the way out but provided no details.
“Nothing happened in that store to warrant her berating our shopkeeper on the way out, but I could let that slide. Everyone has a bad day,” he said. “If it is so intense to just be mentioned by Kelly Clarkson, I can only imagine how intense it is to be Kelly Clarkson every day.
“But things changed when she used her platform to attack us,” he added. “It’s an asymmetrical social war.”
Art of Play Raises Price of Molly the Bird to $15 Million
Rubin said the store’s mascot is not for sale. Rather, the price is what it would cost to have a custom bird made by its creator, Seattle artist Bliss Kolb. Originally, the price tag next to Molly said $15,000. This price was reached after the store spoke with Kolb about customer interest in the yellow wooden bird.
“We have our machine. So many people have asked for it that we put a price on it,” he said. “We spoke to the creator and if anyone showed serious interest, we would contact them to get them an automaton.
“It takes years to achieve them,” he added. “It’s not something that sits in a warehouse.”
The store has since raised the price from $15,000 to $15 million. “We raised the price due to popular demand,” Rubin said.
Rubin later clarified that the store would sell the bird if anyone really wanted to buy it at that price. If that happens, he would give $15,000 to each employee, give Kolb $1 million and buy a bunch of antique machines, he said.
He added that he would display the antiques in a glass display case and demonstrate them during the store’s magic shows. Above the exhibit, Rubin said, they would install a large sign reading “Not for Sale.”
Neighbors weigh in on Molly the bird controversy: ‘This bird is definitely not for sale’
Despite the backlash, Rubin — who took time off from recovering from skin cancer surgery to help the store run — said the store has received support from the local community and most of the people who have visited since the controversy began. Online sales increased, as did foot traffic.
On Monday, October 12, while the store was closed, people left gifts and pastries for the merchants.
“People come here almost entirely in support,” he said.
Paul Lipson, 80, of Michigan, visited the store Oct. 13 with his wife and visiting daughter. They heard about the feud online and wanted to see the store for themselves. “The store is great,” he said. “It’s very unique.”
Speaking about the controversy, he said “the whole thing is idiotic.”
“Sometimes situations get out of control,” he said. “It’s a lot to do for nothing.”
Zach Thomas, 40, lives near the store and has attended its magic shows. He said he was shocked by what happened this weekend.
“It’s a crazy misunderstanding,” he said, describing the owners and business owners as “the nicest people in the world.”
“Everyone knows this bird, and this bird is definitely not for sale,” he added.
Contributor: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY
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