BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Tonya Johnson, affectionately known as Mama B, is a Super Bowl mom, local philanthropist, fashionista — and now, a boutique owner.
Johnson — mother to Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champ Saquon Barkley — has opened a new clothing resale store on East Fourth Street in Bethlehem.
Mama B Resale Boutiquecarries gently worn women's, men's and kids' clothing — all belonging to members of the Barkley family, including Tonya Johnson; her husband, Alibay Barkley; Saquon Barkley; his fiancee, Anna Congdon; their children, Jada and Saquon Jr.; and Saquon Barkley's four siblings, Ali, Rashard, Sha-quona and Aliyah.
Tonya Johnson and Alibay Barkley, of Coplay, also have eight grandchildren, which gives Mama B plenty of pieces to sell in the shop's youth display.
Nike sneakers, gowns
Inside the neatly arranged shop is a Barkley family thread treasure trove, which Mama B says carries sentimental value.
Most items were worn once and dry-cleaned.
Several pieces have their own stories, as if the shopper is peeking into the famous football family's photo album.
There's a gorgeous gold dress designed by Adrianna Papell that Mama B and Saquon Barkley's younger sister, Aliyah, picked up in Manhattan to wear to her Whitehall High School prom (she wore something else).
Aliyah's twin, Ali, also donated a white denim set that he sported at one of the siblings' 21st birthday celebrations (black printed flowers add some pizazz to the once-worn set).
On the same rack as the intended prom dress is another equally gorgeous black ball gown Mama B purchased at an estate sale.
Her children gave Mama B the idea to open the shop.
Having previously worked in retail, Johnson has a knack for merchandising, designing mannequins, front window displays and assigning prices to items.
"My cousin and I were laughing and talking about the store, and she asked, 'How do you know where to put the tags and all the business aspects?" Johnson said.
"But before Saquon went to the NFL draft, I worked at Gabe's [department store] in Whitehall and other places like Macy's."
Go Birds!
Some new and limited edition items, designed by Sha-quona Barkley, under her TWOSIX line, were spotted in the color-coordinated shop.
The "Born for the Bowl" hoodies ($100) are perfect gifts for Birds fans.
They were designed by the NFL star's proud sister specifically for Super Bowl LIX, in which the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 (that day also happened to fall on Saquon Barkley's 28th birthday).
Though, Eagles fans won't need some New York Giants gear spotted in Mama B's store (as if!), which one can only assume is left over from Saquon Barkley's time with the G-Men during the 2018-2023 seasons.
Saquon Barkley, who recently signed a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension with the Eagles, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history, won't be at the shop — nor is there anything signed by him (at least when we visited).
Mama B said he will return to town in the summer for a charity golf tournament with his Michael Ann & Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation.
"Before Saquon went to the NFL draft, I worked at Gabe's [department store] in Whitehall and other places like Macy's."Tonya Johnson, Saquon Barkley's mother
As for Mama B, she plans to open an online store soon for higher-end fashion pieces and maybe rent out a bigger space.
"Initially, my goal was to find a place big enough because I wanted to have it sectioned off to sell other items such as household pieces like frames and holiday decorations," she said.
"Then maybe in two to five years, open a second Mama B Boutique where everything is new and higher-end design."
The shop is open from noon to 6 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays and noon to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturday.s
Johnson, who attends all the Eagles football games, closes the shop on Thursdays and Sundays.
For information or to schedule a shop appointment, call 267-264-9622 or 610-419-0945.
