SARASOTA, FL – Mahj Girl Society celebrated the grand opening of Sarasota–Manatee's first dedicated mahjong social club on September 2, 2026, at Georgie's Garden Café at UTC. The club marks the beginning of an ambitious year, culminating in a January attempt at a Guinness World Record for the most people playing mahjong simultaneously, with a goal of bringing together more than 2,500 players and raising funds for local charities.
The club, open Wednesday through Sunday, offers a variety of programming including open play, private and group lessons, tournaments, themed events, creative workshops, and casual spaces for relaxation and socializing. Georgie's Garden Café 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, emphasized the club's vision beyond just a game room. "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 mahjong activities, the Society will feature a rotating calendar of 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 work and unwind between games, and a specially created 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 depending on the membership level, while non-members can participate through à la carte experiences. The calendar already includes weekly open play every Wednesday and a Learn to Play session on September 3, with lessons ranging from beginner to advanced strategy. Upcoming highlights include an Alice in Wonderland–themed Mahjong Tea Party, blending themed décor, food, and interactive social play.
The January record attempt coincides with Stapleton's 40th birthday, a milestone she wanted to commemorate 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. "This isn't about competing for players," Stapleton noted. "Mahjong is growing rapidly, and we all have something to offer. There really is room at the table for everyone."
While digital apps have introduced mahjong to a new generation, the Mahj Girl Society emphasizes the importance of face-to-face interaction. Maddelyn Banham, Director of Community & Digital Engagement, stated, "An app can teach you what the tiles look like, but it can't recreate four people sitting around a table together. 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."
Stapleton's background includes owning a local printing operation, an SEO company, and founding The Hedgehog Hollow, a creative brand that grew into a seven-figure business. The Mahj Girl Society's branding draws from her family history, particularly the traditional Willow Pattern china her grandparents owned, reinterpreted in the blue-and-white logo. Her grandparents, who played traditional mahjong during military postings in the Middle East, and her daughters, who also play, are woven into the brand's identity. "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 club is inclusive of all genders and ages, with a community spanning from 10 to 100 years old. "Mahj Girl is the personality of the brand, not a restriction on who gets a seat," Stapleton emphasized. "Our tables are open to everyone."
Details on the January event, including venue, registration, participating charities, and sponsorship, will be announced as preparations continue. For schedules, memberships, and events, visit MahjGirlSociety.com.
