The Mahj Girl Society will celebrate the grand opening of Sarasota–Manatee's first dedicated mahjong social club on Wednesday, September 2 at 5 p.m., hosted by Georgie's Garden Café at UTC. The event marks the beginning of an ambitious year, culminating in a January attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most people playing mahjong simultaneously, with a goal of bringing together more than 2,500 players while raising money for local charities.
The club, which will operate Wednesday through Sunday, offers open play, private and group lessons, tournaments, themed events, creative workshops, and casual spaces for relaxation, work, reading, or socializing. Georgie's will serve as the Society's temporary home while preparations continue for a permanent Lakewood Ranch location later this year.
Founder Sasha Stapleton, a Lakewood Ranch entrepreneur, envisions the club as 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."
Beyond traditional programming, the Society will feature creative experiences such as decorating your own mahjong tiles, embellishing tile bags, and personalizing game-card accessories. Book nooks and casual social areas provide spaces for members to unwind between games, and a specially crafted mahjong-themed cocktail and mocktail menu positions the venue as a social destination.
Members enjoy perks like 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 like weekly open play every Wednesday and Learn to Play sessions for beginners. An upcoming highlight is an Alice in Wonderland–themed Mahjong Tea Party, blending themed décor, food, and interactive play.
The record attempt in January will coincide with Stapleton's 40th birthday, a milestone she wanted to mark with something meaningful. "Turning 40 feels like the beginning of a completely new chapter," she 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 event and hopes to collaborate with schools, nonprofits, and community groups year-round.
Stapleton emphasized inclusivity, noting that other local mahjong organizations and clubs are welcome to host their own events at the lounge. "This isn't about competing for players," she said. "Mahjong is growing rapidly, and we all have something to offer. There really is room at the table for everyone."
The community aspect is central to the Society's mission. Maddelyn Banham, Director of Community & Digital Engagement, highlighted 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," she said. "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 brand's identity is rooted in Stapleton's family history, drawing inspiration from the traditional Willow Pattern china her grandparents owned. Her grandparents played mahjong during their time in the Middle East, and now her daughters play as well. "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."
For more information, visit MahjGirlSociety.com or find the community on Facebook by searching "Mahj Girl Society".
