The Mahj Girl Society celebrated the grand opening of Sarasota–Manatee's first dedicated mahjong social club on Wednesday, September 2, at Georgie's Garden Café at UTC. The event marks the beginning of an ambitious year that will culminate in a January attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most people playing mahjong at once, with a goal of over 2,500 participants while raising funds for local charities.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, the club offers a variety of activities including open play, private and group lessons, tournaments, themed events, and creative workshops. It also provides casual spaces for relaxation, work, reading, or socializing. Georgie's Garden Café will serve as the Society's temporary home while the organization prepares to open a permanent location in Lakewood Ranch later this year.
Founder Sasha Stapleton, a Lakewood Ranch entrepreneur, emphasized that the club is more than just a place to play mahjong. "What we're creating is not simply a mahjong room," she said. "I want it to feel like a clubhouse — somewhere you can come by yourself, meet people, play, create, have a drink, learn something new, or just sit with a coffee and be part of a community."
Alongside traditional programming, the Society will host creative experiences such as decorating mahjong tiles, embellishing tile bags, and personalizing game-card accessories. Book nooks and casual social areas provide spaces to unwind between games, and a specially crafted mahjong-themed cocktail and mocktail menu positions the venue as a social destination.
Membership perks include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee, and merchandise discounts, while non-members can participate through à la carte experiences. The calendar is already filling with events, including regular open play every Wednesday and the first Learn to Play session on Thursday, September 3. An upcoming highlight is an Alice in Wonderland–themed Mahjong Tea Party.
The record attempt in January will coincide with Stapleton's 40th birthday, a milestone she wanted to celebrate with something meaningful. "Turning 40 feels like the beginning of a completely new chapter," Stapleton said. "I wanted to do something huge — something that brings thousands of people together and, most importantly, leaves our community better because we did it."
The Society plans to support local charities through the record attempt and hopes to collaborate with schools, nonprofits, and community groups throughout the year. Other local mahjong organizations will be welcome to host events at the lounge. "This isn't about competing for players," Stapleton said. "Mahjong is growing rapidly, and we all have something to offer. There really is room at the table for everyone."
While apps have introduced mahjong to a new generation, the Society emphasizes the value of face-to-face interaction. "An app can teach you what the tiles look like, but it can't recreate four people sitting around a table together," said Maddelyn Banham, Director of Community & Digital Engagement. "We live so much of our lives through screens now. Mahjong gives people a reason to put their phones down and actually be present with the people across from them. You can discover mahjong online, but the community happens in person."
The club's branding draws from Stapleton's family history, inspired by the traditional Willow Pattern china her grandparents owned. Her grandparents played mahjong during their time in the Middle East, and Stapleton's daughters also play today. "There are little pieces of them throughout Mahj Girl Society," Stapleton said. "This next chapter is very much mine, but it has their fingerprints all over it."
Despite the name, the Society welcomes everyone regardless of gender, age, or skill level. "Mahj Girl is the personality of the brand, not a restriction on who gets a seat," Stapleton said. "Our tables are open to everyone."
