SARASOTA, Fla., Sept. 2, 2026 — Mahj Girl Society celebrated the grand opening of Sarasota–Manatee's first dedicated mahjong social club on Wednesday, hosted by Georgie's Garden Café at UTC. The opening 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, aiming to bring together more than 2,500 players while raising funds for local charities.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, the club 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 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 feature a rotating calendar of creative experiences, including 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 created mahjong-themed cocktail and mocktail menu positions the venue as a social destination rather than just a place to play.
Members enjoy perks such as 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 up. Regular open play runs every Wednesday, and the first Learn to Play session after the opening takes place Thursday, September 3. Lessons cater to beginners through advanced players. An upcoming highlight is an Alice in Wonderland–themed Mahjong Tea Party, blending themed décor, food, and interactive social play.
The January record attempt will coincide with Stapleton's 40th birthday, a milestone she wanted to mark with something significant. "Turning 40 feels like the beginning of a completely new chapter," Stapleton 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 are welcome to host their own events at the lounge. "This isn't about competing for players," Stapleton said. "Mahjong is growing rapidly, and we all have something to offer. There really is room at the table for everyone."
While apps have introduced mahjong to a new generation, the Mahj Girl Society believes the real experience is face-to-face. "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."
Originally from England, Stapleton has called the Lakewood Ranch area home for more than six years. A serial entrepreneur, she owns a local printing operation and an SEO company, as well as founding The Hedgehog Hollow, a creative brand that grew into a seven-figure business. Mahj Girl Society's identity is drawn from her family history, with branding inspired by the traditional Willow Pattern china her grandparents owned. Her grandparents played traditional mahjong, and today her daughters play too. "There are little pieces of them throughout Mahj Girl Society," Stapleton said.
Despite the name, the Society's community spans men and women, beginners and experts, ages 10 to 100. "Mahj Girl is the personality of the brand, not a restriction on who gets a seat," Stapleton said. "Our tables are open to everyone."
The grand opening celebration took place at Georgie's Garden Café at UTC, located at 229 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida 34243. Mahj Girl Society operates Wednesday through Sunday, with memberships and à la carte experiences available. For schedules, memberships, and events, visit MahjGirlSociety.com or find the community on Facebook by searching "Mahj Girl Society."
