LONG LIVE MAHJONG

When Ann Cantrell opened Annie's Blue Ribbon General Store 18 years ago in Brooklyn, she never imagined that mahjong sets would become one of her hottest sellers.

- by LIZ KRIEGER

A mahjong event at The Red Pavillion in Brooklyn, hosted by Green Tile Social Club.

But there they are—vintage sets nestled beside sleek modern designs in millennial pink and mint green—and they're flying off the shelves. "I started carrying sets because customers kept asking for them," says Cantrell. "I've had people come in who want them as decor, then they end up wanting to play." Last March, after learning the American version of the game, Cantrell decided to host an introductory session at her store—just a casual evening over wine to teach people the basics. She expected a small turnout. Instead, over 50 people showed up. By the end of that night, 12 people had signed up for three-session courses.

The demand kept growing. Cantrell added more sessions, then summer classes, then three sessions in the fall. She now hosts monthly open-play nights for $25 that sell out weeks in advance, she says, drawing people from many different ethnic backgrounds who range in age from their 20s to their 60s. Some form WhatsApp groups afterward to continue playing together.

Welcome to mahjong's surprise revival. The Chinese rummy-style game that may conjure thoughts of tiles clacking and elders playing has undergone a stunning resurgence, led in no small part by millennials and members of Gen Z from the greater Asian community.

In fact, between 2023 and 2024, Eventbrite reported a 179% increase in mahjong events nationwide, and images of eye-catching mahjong tables have captured the attention of the social media set. The pandemic only accelerated the appeal of a game built on presence, touch, and unhurried connection.

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