Sarasota–Manatee's first dedicated mahjong social club, Mahj Girl Society, will celebrate its grand opening on Wednesday, September 2, at 5 p.m., hosted by Georgie's Garden Café at UTC. The event signals the start of an ambitious year, culminating in a January attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most people playing mahjong simultaneously, aiming to gather over 2,500 players while raising funds for local charities.
Founder Sasha Stapleton, a Lakewood Ranch entrepreneur, envisions the club as a community hub. "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." The club will operate Wednesday through Sunday, offering open play, private and group lessons, tournaments, themed events, creative workshops, and casual social areas. While at Georgie's, the Society prepares to open a permanent Lakewood Ranch location later this year.
In addition to traditional mahjong programming, the club will feature creative experiences such as decorating your own mahjong tiles, embellishing tile bags, and personalizing game-card accessories. Book nooks and casual areas provide spaces for members to work or relax between games, and a mahjong-themed cocktail and mocktail menu positions the venue as a social destination. Members receive perks like free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee, and merchandise discounts, while non-members can access à la carte experiences.
The calendar is already filling with events, including open play every Wednesday and a Learn to Play session on Thursday, September 3. An upcoming highlight is an Alice in Wonderland–themed Mahjong Tea Party, featuring themed décor and interactive play. The January record attempt coincides with Stapleton's 40th birthday, which she wanted to commemorate with a meaningful community event. "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 collaborate with schools, nonprofits, and other mahjong organizations. "This isn't about competing for players," Stapleton emphasized. "Mahjong is growing rapidly, and we all have something to offer. There really is room at the table for everyone."
The club's emphasis on in-person connection is central to its mission. "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."
Stapleton, originally from England, has called Lakewood Ranch home for over six years and owns a local printing operation and an SEO company. She also founded The Hedgehog Hollow, a creative brand that grew into a seven-figure business. Mahj Girl Society's branding draws from the traditional Willow Pattern china her grandparents owned, reflecting her family's history with mahjong. "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 welcomes everyone. "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 schedules, memberships, and events, visit MahjGirlSociety.com or find the community on Facebook.
