Kelly Clarkson has fired back at a New York store after it defended its staff\u2019s poor treatment of her during a weekend visit. <\/p>\n
In apost on X on Sunday night, the singer-songwriter American pushed back against Art of Play\u2019s claims that an item she was interested in was not for sale. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo 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\u2019t happen,\u201d her post reads. <\/p>\n
Clarkson alleged that the staff member confirmed that the item was for sale but cost US$15,000 and offered to find something \u201ccomparable.\u201d<\/p>\n
She included a photo in her post that appears to show the item with a price tag next to it. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat all never happened and now it\u2019s not for sale. Okay, cool. So you\u2019re not only rude, you\u2019re also a liar,\u201d Clarkson continued. <\/p>\n
On Sunday, Art of Play, a Brooklyn shop selling games, puzzles, toys and curiosities took to Instagram to defend itself against inaugural American Idol winner\u2019s claims that she was mistreated by stating that the item, a one-of-a-kind mechanical bird named \u201cMolly\u201d was not for sale. <\/p>\n
The bird sings and dances during the store\u2019s magic shows. <\/p>\n
\u201cMolly is permanently attached to a wall and not for sale,\u201d the Instagram post reads. <\/p>\n
The store acknowledged that Clarkson\u2019s account of feeling judged in a shop would resonate with others, while insisting all visitors are welcome, whether they buy something or if they simply browse. <\/p>\n
It added that since Clarkson\u2019s social media post, the store has faced public backlash.<\/p>\n
\u201cImagine our surprise when our small local business was suddenly attacked by 8 million people who have never visited our store,\u201d the post reads. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a surreal experience to be the focus of such widespread outrage after just one mention by a celebrity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Art of Play also expressed hope the matter could eventually be resolved.<\/p>\n
Clarkson hit back at the claim that she put the store under public attack by reiterating that she supports small businesses. <\/p>\n
\u201cI obviously support small businesses because I was literally at a small business trying to purchase things,\u201d her post reads. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t get a free pass to treat people less than in your store just because you are a small business. It\u2019s not that hard to be kind.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added that she never blasts people, \u201cbut you my friend were an exception.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour store is really cool,\u201d she wrote. <\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, you aren\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Pretty Woman remake<\/p>\n
In her initial post on X post on Saturday, Clarkson likened the staff member\u2019s treatment of her to the way Julia Roberts\u2019 character was treated by a boutique saleswoman in the 1990 classic \u2018Pretty Woman\u2019. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re an idiot and just lost a huge sale,\u201d Clarkson wrote. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut y\u2019all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman. <\/p>\n
For sure, check it out.\u201d <\/p>\n
She punctuated her post with a thumbs-down emoji.<\/p>\n
In the 1990 movie, Roberts\u2019 character is dismissed by a boutique saleswoman who assumes she cannot afford the clothes. She later returns, dressed in expensive clothing, holding shopping bags and addresses the same saleswoman with the now iconic line: \u201cBig mistake. Big. Huge<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n