Art of Play co-owner says Kelly Clarkson's post was 'like she threw a Molotov cocktail at us'

Kelly Clarkson's complaint went viral.

The store's owner told Business Insider that people in his life are hearing from her fans.

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images - Ben Shimkus/Business Insider Art of Play's co-owner told Business Insider Kelly Clarkson's post was "like a Molotov cocktail." The viral fight placed Adam Rubin's small Brooklyn shop at the center of a massive online drama.

Rubin says the store got threats online — and hugs from supportive strangers.

Adam Rubin said he wasn't supposed to come into work on Tuesday.

The co-owner of Art of Play — a small Brooklyn-based shop with tarot cards, funky home decor, magic trick books, and a wooden bird named Molly — said he was supposed to get some stitches removed.

Instead, he came in to answer questions about Kelly Clarkson's viral social-media complaint.

"It's like she threw a Molotov cocktail at us," Adam Rubin told Business Insider.

"And we're just here to pick up the pieces." On Saturday, Clarkson wrote on X that she had driven to Brooklyn to visit Art of Play and was treated as if she could not afford an item she wanted to buy.

She compared the experience to the "Pretty Woman" scene, when Julia Roberts' character is dismissed by salespeople at a luxury store.

Art of Play has an altogether different story.

The store said Clarkson had asked to buy Molly, a one-of-a-kind bird automaton that was not for sale.

Clarkson responded by calling the shop liars.

On Tuesday, Rubin told USA Today the bird is now for sale for $15 million.