Brooklyn novelty shop reeling from 'surreal' row with Kelly Clarkson over mechanical bird
A Brooklyn novelty shop is experiencing a social media backlash after Kelly Clarkson publicly complained about being treated poorly during a visit. The store maintains that the mechanical bird she wanted to purchase is a permanent fixture and not for sale.
Why it matters
This story illustrates the power of celebrity influence on social media and the potential for viral misinformation to impact small businesses.
Figure caption, Watch: What's going on between Kelly Clarkson and a Brooklyn store bird?
On a rainy Wednesday afternoon, a novelty toy and games store in the quiet Brooklyn neighbourhood of Cobble Hill was seeing much busier foot traffic than usual.
Inside, the shop was packed with cameramen and customers, while passersby looked inside, asking: "Where's the bird?"
Art of Play has found itself at the centre of a social media storm since the weekend when Grammy-winning musician Kelly Clarkson complained online that the boutique store would not let her buy a singing and dancing mechanical bird that was perched on the wall.
The Since U Been Gone singer claimed she was "looked at as if I couldn't afford" the bird - which she said had a price tag of $15,000 (£11,000).
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Art of Play co-owner says Kelly Clarkson's post was 'like she threw a Molotov cocktail at us'
Kelly Clarkson dispute: Brooklyn toy shop owner says threats followed criticism
Art of Play raises price of controversial bird in Kelly Clarkson feud | Exclusive - USA Today
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