Things were poppin’ for a holiday party at Poppin’ Tags Free Store in West Deer on Sunday.

The fourth annual party at Poppin’ Tags, which opened in May 2021, extended next door to Mama Jo’s House, which store owner Sonya Dembowski of Shaler opened in September.

Named after Mary Jo Coll, Dembowski’s friend and mother figure, Mama Jo’s House is a rental spot for classes, parties, tutoring and other events. It also has three furnished bedrooms available for rental.

Xavier Golden, from Ashley’s Sharp Cuts in Ross, concentrates as he trims the beard of David Fountain, of New Kensington, at Mama Jo’s House in West Deer during a holiday party on Sunday, Dec. 14. Sonya Dembowski, who owns Poppin’ Tags Free Store next door, opened Mama Jo’s House, a rental spot, in September. (Brian C. Rittmeyer | TribLive)  

During the party on Sunday, Mama Jo’s was where free haircuts were being offered.

At the store, which was open for shopping, there was also a Pittsburgh Christmas cookie table. The store offers clothing, home goods and necessities to those in the community in need, free of charge.

Poppin’ Tags is at 756 Little Deer Creek Valley Road in West Deer.

Alise Wiley, of Brackenridge, braids Sonya Dembowski’s hair during a holiday party Dembowski was hosting at her store, Poppin’ Tags Free Store, in West Deer on Sunday, Dec. 14. Dembowski, of Shaler, was getting her hair braided at Mama Jo’s House, a rental facility she opened next to the store in September. (Brian C. Rittmeyer | TribLive)  

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