See inside Charlotte's new mahjong studio in Dilworth

Ashley Mahoney

Cozy room with a brass towel rack holding colorful patterned towels along a beige wall; gold arched wallpaper, white blinds on a window, and a table with a yellow floral cloth. — 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.

Wooden shelf filled with craft items: a framed article, a gift box with teal ribbons, and a rainbow row of acrylic color strips; lower boxes read "Heron House Acrylic Rack". — Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

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.