SARASOTA, FL — Mahj Girl Society is set to open the region'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 that will culminate in a January attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most people playing mahjong simultaneously, with a goal of gathering more than 2,500 players while raising funds for local charities.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, the club will provide a variety of activities, including open play, private and group lessons, tournaments, themed events, and creative workshops. There will also be casual spaces for relaxation, work, reading, or meeting friends. While the organization prepares to open a permanent location in Lakewood Ranch later this year, Georgie's will serve as the club's temporary home.
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.”
In addition to standard mahjong programming, the Society will offer creative experiences such as decorating your own mahjong tiles, embellishing tile bags, and personalizing game-card accessories. Book nooks and lounge areas will provide spaces for members to unwind between games, and a specially designed mahjong-themed cocktail and mocktail menu will enhance the social atmosphere. Members will receive perks like free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee, and merchandise discounts, while non-members can participate through à la carte options.
The calendar is already filling with events. Regular open play will occur every Wednesday, and the first Learn to Play session is scheduled for Thursday, September 3. Lessons will accommodate complete beginners to advanced players. One upcoming highlight is an Alice in Wonderland–themed Mahjong Tea Party, featuring themed décor, food, and interactive play.
The Guinness World Record attempt in January will coincide with Stapleton's 40th birthday, a milestone she wanted to celebrate with a meaningful community impact. “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 use the record attempt to support local charities and hopes to collaborate with schools, nonprofits, and community groups year-round. Other local mahjong organizations, instructors, and clubs will be welcome to host their own events at the lounge. Stapleton emphasized collaboration over competition: “This isn't about competing for players. Mahjong is growing rapidly, and we all have something to offer. There really is room at the table for everyone.” Details about the January event, including venue, registration, and participating charities, will be announced later.
While apps have introduced mahjong to a new generation, the Society emphasizes the importance 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 brand's identity is rooted in Stapleton's family history, drawing inspiration from the traditional Willow Pattern china her grandparents owned, reinterpreted in the Society's blue-and-white logo. Her grandparents, who lived in the Middle East during her grandfather's military postings, played traditional mahjong themselves. Today, Stapleton's daughters also play. “There are little pieces of them throughout Mahj Girl Society,” she said. “This next chapter is very much mine, but it has their fingerprints all over it.”
Despite the name, Mahj Girl Society is inclusive of all genders and ages. “Mahj Girl is the personality of the brand, not a restriction on who gets a seat,” Stapleton said. “Our tables are open to everyone.”
