Charlotte’s First Mahjong Studio Opens in Oakhurst This Summer
The Queen’s Mahjery will become Charlotte’s first mahjong studio when it opens at 4000 Monroe Road in Oakhurst this summer.
The Queen's Mahjery will become Charlotte's first mahjong studio when it opens at 4000 Monroe Road in Oakhurst this summer. Players can drop in or book tables to play by themselves or with their crew.
Jennifer Ross, Lauren Ulrey, and Patti Roth started planning the studio after Ross went to a mahjong studio in Dallas during her mother's 80th birthday party. The three women met because their daughters joined the same gymnastics squad years ago, but their bond grew stronger through playing mahjong together.
"There are several studios in Dallas [and] Charleston, but Charlotte didn't have anything yet," said Ulrey to The Charlotte Observer. "And for a city that's really taken it on, we just felt like this was the perfect time, the perfect need, and a fun thing for us to do together."
The studio spans almost 2,400 square feet. More than a dozen tables will fill the space. Ross, Ulrey, and Roth plan to construct rooms for private gatherings and lessons from local groups.
"We want less tables and more space because we want you to feel like you are at home," Ulrey said. "We want it to feel like a place where you can spill the tea and chat about work and not be worried you're being overheard."
Renting a table will run about $40 per person for three hours. An online system will show which tables are open for groups or solo players. A monthly VIP membership will secure a guaranteed table, but spots are limited.
"Our goal is that you could come with four people, play for three hours, split a bottle of wine, and get out of there for $50 bucks," Ulrey said.
Mahjong started in China during the mid-1800s. It has spread across Asian and Western countries since then. Players discard and pick up tiles, trying to make matching or sequenced sets.
The game reached its first big wave of popularity in 1937. Jewish housewives standardized the rules and created the National Mah Jongg League. Now mahjong is experiencing another surge thanks to pop references and the pandemic.
Charlotte has dozens of mahjong groups. More people want to learn how to play. Axios reported that Charlotteans are converting their dining rooms or unused spaces into mahjong parlors.
"It's a definite stress reliever," Roth said. "It's one of those things where when we're stressed or feeling too pushed with the day-to-day things (we'll say) let's just sit down and play a game. It transfers your focus."
