See inside Charlotte's new mahjong studio in Dilworth
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.

All of the tables are custom-made 38-inch by 38-inch. The wallpaper was also custom-made. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Heron House Mahjong, a new mahjong studio and boutique, opens June 10 in Dilworth near Freedom Park.
Why it matters: Charlotteans are eager for permanent spaces to play the centuries-old Chinese strategy game and local entrepreneurs are stepping in to fill the void.
The latest: The mahjong studio's soft opening begins June 10, with grand opening events spanning June 24-28. Opening week hours are:
- June 10: 10am-12pm
- June 11: 6pm-8pm
- June 12: 10am-2pm
- June 13: 4pm-6pm
- June 14: 2-4pm
What to expect: Heron House Mahjong is a 3,000-square-foot home built in 1925. The space includes 52 seats to start (each table seats four players). There are currently three rooms downstairs and one upstairs, with a second upstairs room in the works.
- Each room includes a specific color scheme and name: Night Heron Room, Snowy Egret Room and Green-Backed Heron Room are on the first floor. Great Blue Heron Room is on the second floor, as is the forthcoming, Cinnamon Bittern Room.
- They will also offer lessons, which are part of their Flight School. Here visitors will learn how to play the game as well as its history.
- Heron House Mahjong also hosts events. Atlanta-based Black Girls Mahjong, Too! recently held a sold out event there.
- There will be snacks and drinks available.
- The boutique space includes more than two dozen tile sets, mats, racks and other goods. Their wood racks are handcrafted by co-founder Charolette Obringer's father Anthony Kaufmann, who is battling small cell lung cancer. A portion of proceeds will be donated to small cell lung cancer research.

Between the lines: Obringer and her colleagues hope people understand they're opening the studio as a community gathering space to honor the culture and tradition of the game.
If you go: The mahjong studio offers drop-ins for $25. Memberships start at $149 per month. Flight School sessions are $75 each.
Stop by: 1819 East Blvd. See future hours here.
What's next: Heron House Mahjong plans to release a signature tile set later this year.
Take a look around.








Go deeper: Charlotte homes are making room for mahjong
