Charlotte mahjong studio opens on East Boulevard for beginners and experts alike

On Wednesday, June 10, Heron House Mahjong opened as a hub for the trending game that has made its way from China to Charlotte.

The century-old house is at 1819 East Blvd. between Myers Park and Dilworth.

Mahjong, which is becoming more popular in Charlotte and across the country, is typically played by creating matching or sequenced sets of tiles. To win the game that originated in China in the mid-1800s, players complete their hand with a 14th tile.

Four-person mahjong kicks off with a dice roll to determine who starts. The player with the highest number is called East. “It just felt super significant that we’re on East Boulevard, and it all begins at East,” said Jennifer Engel, a Heron House instructor and guest experience lead.

Charolette Obringer, the founder of Heron House, said she is a busy working mom who didn’t always take time for herself.

“When I learned to play mahjong, I was really surprised at how profoundly it changed my life, in terms of the community that it opened up for me,” Obringer said.

Heron House went from Obringer’s middle-of-the-night idea to a physical location with four rooms, 13 custom tables and 52 seats for playing. The space also features a boutique that sells mahjong tiles, mats and racks and a kitchen with drinks and snacks for sale.

Guests can pay $25 for a two-hour session or purchase a six- or 12-month membership to play more frequently. Beginners can also take three levels of lessons for $75 each, currently taught in the American Mahjong style.

Vanessa Maybury, the Heron House general manager, is newer to mahjong and was brought onto the team because of her retail and business background. “I know how big the game is in Charlotte, so I wanted to get on board,” Maybury said.

Players can come with a group or solo and be matched with guests of a similar skill level, according to the Heron House website.

Obringer said the heron bird and the mahjong game both represent beauty, grace and transformation. Each room in the house is named after a type of heron, complete with custom wallpaper.

Heron House is funded by four private investors, with Obringer as the primary shareholder.

“We are definitely a small business in this community, and we’re looking for lots of support so we can grow,” Obringer said.

Elevating mahjong in Charlotte

The Heron House team is planning community events including a monthly Giving Sunday, when a nonprofit will be selected from members’ nominations and receive a portion of the proceeds. The first Giving Sunday is on June 28, with proceeds going to St. Jude Carolinas.

Obringer said East is a sign of new life and rebirth, and selecting a house on East Boulevard was intentional.

“We’re really just stewards of the game. We don’t claim ownership in any way,” Obringer said. “We’re just here to bring it to more people and celebrate it, so that it hopefully makes a difference in their life, like it’s made a difference in ours.”