SARASOTA, FL – 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 signals the start of an ambitious year ahead, culminating in a January attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most people playing mahjong simultaneously, aiming to bring together more than 2,500 players while raising funds for local charities.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, the club will offer a range of activities including 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.
"What we're creating is not simply a mahjong room," said founder Sasha Stapleton, a Lakewood Ranch entrepreneur. "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 offer 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 rather than just a place to play.
Members enjoy perks including free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee, and merchandise discounts depending on membership level, while non-members can participate through à la carte experiences. The calendar is already filling with regular open play every Wednesday and the first Learn to Play session scheduled for Thursday, September 3. Lessons cater to complete beginners and experienced players alike, with an upcoming highlight being an Alice in Wonderland–themed Mahjong Tea Party.
The January record attempt 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.
"This isn't about competing for players," Stapleton added. "Mahjong is growing rapidly, and we all have something to offer. There really is room at the table for everyone." Details on the January event, including venue, registration, and participating charities, will be announced as preparations continue.
The club emphasizes the value of in-person connection over digital play. "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."
Originally from England, Stapleton has called the Lakewood Ranch area home for over six years. A serial entrepreneur, she owns a local printing operation and an SEO company, and founded The Hedgehog Hollow, a creative brand that grew into a seven-figure business. The Mahj Girl Society's identity draws from her family history, with branding inspired by the traditional Willow Pattern china her grandparents owned. Her grandparents played traditional mahjong, and her daughters now 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's community spans all genders, ages, and skill levels. "Mahj Girl is the personality of the brand, not a restriction on who gets a seat," she emphasized.
The grand opening event was graciously hosted by Georgie's Garden Café at UTC, located at 229 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida. Mahj Girl Society operates Wednesday through Sunday, offering memberships and à la carte experiences. For more information, visit MahjGirlSociety.com.
