Well, if people think it's a store, then it might be a store. Sign of a successful platform that it goes in directions that you have not expected. Though it is also a sign of failed communication.
The question is now whether you want to bring the project back onto the originally envisioned path, or figure out how to ride the waves of these unexpected changes?
After reading the news, I keep thinking "aren't they missing something?". Can't they seize this audience that come to the site to buy stuff? Maybe a spin-off from the original kickstarter, specially tailored as a sales platform.
Maybe they don't want to? They seem to like their knitted scarves, art-house films and interpretative dance about marine life quite a lot. Going for high-profile store-like projects doesn't actually guarantee success (they may get whacked by litigation, or people may become disillusioned) and puts their primary goal at risk.
The question is now whether you want to bring the project back onto the originally envisioned path, or figure out how to ride the waves of these unexpected changes?