Our Boutique + Studio
Welcome to Heron House
Heron House Mahjong is more than a place to play - it's a modern social house rooted in ritual, hospitality and beauty. Designed for both seasoned players and curious newcomers, our boutique + studio brings together curated retail, ample playing space and a warm community under one roof.
Whether you're here for an afternoon game, a weekly ritual, or your very first shuffle of the tiles, you'll find a space that feels welcoming, intentional and unmistakably yours.
What you'll find inside:
- Thoughtfully designed mahjong tables in a beautiful setting
- A welcoming host and a hospitable staff, eager to assist
- A curated boutique of tiles, mats, racks and gifts
- A selection of wine and beverage with simple snacks to enjoy
- Fun, Community and Belonging!
Why the Heron
What beautiful birds! The heron is widely known as a symbol of transformation, balance, grace, wisdom and harmony.
That's like the game of mahjong, isn't it?!
Many of us find learning the game and making time to play more than a little transformative. It's actually profound. From lives of digital rat-race, we put our phones away for a few short hours to focus, to pause and just PLAY. We experience clicking tiles, cool to the touch and weighty in our hands. We appreciate the color and beauty of a curated tablescape while we stretch our minds a bit. There is harmony in four friends, whether lifelong or brand new, enjoying the game, enjoying each other.
Jennifer
Meet Jennifer Engel
Instructor and Guest Experience Lead
Jenn brings a love of mahjong, a mastery of the rules, creativity, and Southern hospitality to the table. With a quick wit and a knack for connecting with people, she delights in teaching and cheering on beginner wins like they were her own. Being a part of Heron House leadership is a dream come true - immediately after learning how to play in 2022, she asked her instructor if she'd ever thought about opening a mahjong studio.
- Family members and/or pets: Husband Patrick, sons Connor and Graham, and world's cutest "bunny dog"
- Education & professional background: Proud Tar Heel with a journalism degree and a career in advertising/marketing
- Favorite thing about mahjong: While I love the brain challenge, it's always about finding connection with others for me.
- Favorite line: Will forever miss 2024's bananas hand - 11111 NNNN 88888
- Game style: Defensive. If I can't win, I don't want you to win either. (Said with love.)
- Charleston strategy in one sentence: Never get into the weeds - memorize sections and collect based on your position of strength.
- Music or silence while playing: With apologies, I love to sing (poorly but quietly) and groove along in my chair!
- Rate your competitiveness (1–10): A cheerful 9.6
- Pro or anti trinkets and blanks: Adore trinkets, and I'm a purist - no blanks at my table, please.
- Favorite mahjong lesson that is actually a life lesson: Navigating mahjong and life takes skill, a little bit of luck, a lot of patience, a smattering of creativity, a positive attitude, and the courage to pivot when the unplanned happens.
- My favorite quote: For the mahjong community, I always say that a rising tide lifts all ships. Friendly competition at the table, but always collaboration among small businesses and instructors.
Barbara
Meet Barbara Woodcock
Instructor and Guest Experience Associate
Meet Barb! A high school math teacher by day, Barb brings the knowledge and experience to help you learn your new favorite game. Patience is Barbara’s middle name (just kidding, it's Ann), and her kind words and bright smile will encourage you to trust your own instincts.
- Family members and/or pets: 7-year-old dog named Basil, and third out of six siblings!
- Education & professional background: I graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne University (Go Bears!) with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. I’m now a High School Math Teacher & Instructional Coach at East Mecklenburg High School.
- Game style: Risk taker! If I don’t start the game with jokers, I try to pull off a singles & pairs hand.
- Charleston strategy in one sentence: Voted most likely to stop the Charleston.
- Favorite tile set: The Dash Tiles! I’m a Winston-Salem native and was so happy to get this set during its first production.
- Best tile to draw: Joker! Or that last tile for a pair after you’ve watched the other two get discarded.
- Go-to snack or drink at the table: Sanders Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels!
- If you had a mahjong nickname, what would it be: Bam Bird Barb
- What excites you about Heron House: I cannot wait to spread the love of the game! I also feel incredibly welcomed by the other women at Heron House.
- Rate your competitiveness (1–10): 8
- Pro or anti trinkets and blanks? Pro-Trinket, Anti-Blanks!
- Favorite mahjong lesson that is actually a life lesson? Have faith in the wall, the tile you need is there!
Makinley
Meet Makinley Griffin
Social Media and Events Lead
Makinley, our social media and events lead is pure sunshine in human form. Think a warm, cheerful yellow. She brings a calm, focused energy with just the right touch of humor, keeping things light at the table while smoothly locking in when it’s time to play. She’s also our social content leader, with a great eye for capturing behind the scenes moments to share on Instagram and Tik Tok. Here are some fun facts from Makinley:
- Family: I have two younger siblings whom adore. My mom taught me Mahjong, and my dad just shakes his head and laughs every time a new tile set shows up at the house.
- Education & professional background: I graduated last May from UNC Wilmington with a degree in Communications.
- Favorite thing about mahjong: It's never the same game twice!
- Favorite section and line: 2468 section - FFFF 2468 222 222
- Favorite tile set: Birdsong Mahjong’s Swim Club
- Best tile to draw: Flowers
- Craks, Bams, or Dots: Dots
- Music or Silence: Music!
- Early bird or night owl games? Night owl games
- Rate your competitiveness: 8.7
- Trinkets? Blanks? I LOVE trinkets! I do not like to play with blanks.
- Happy place: At home with my family
- How you want our guests to feel: Welcome and calm
- Why Heron House Mahjong: I am a big believer in getting a “sign,” and as soon as I was introduced to Heron House, I kept getting signs that it was where I belonged.
Charolette
Meet Charolette Obringer
Catalyst, Sparkplug, and sometimes Zealot
What do you call someone who gets others excited about building something entirely new? And then does it.
Charolette loves playing with friends old and new. She brings positivity, energy and grace to the table though she can be a little sneaky competitive if you pay attention. She loves hosting others and creating beautiful spaces to relax and play. Some fun facts:
- Family members and/or pets: Super supportive husband Mike of 33 years, Awesome kids (all of whom play mahjong!) Lane, Aidan, Kate, and Gavin. Sweet 8-year-old German Shorthair Pointer, Moe.
- Education & professional background: Multi-site operations in retail and healthcare.
- Favorite thing about mahjong: Connections! Social connections and brain connections!
- Favorite line & section: Love the last line of quints if the universe sends jokers my way.
- Charleston strategy in one sentence: Get focused. Stay open. Don't overthink it.
- Bam, Crak, or Dot: Bam. Green means GO!
- Most competitive (1–10): Competitive play or competitive brain? I would say I'm a 4 on competitive play today but in my brain I want to learn and get better so maybe I'm really like an 8 if you can be an 8 and not be nasty or mean-spirited.
- Favorite mahjong lesson that is actually a life lesson? Pattern identification! Look for the pattern. SOLVE for the pattern.
- What inspires me? Blank canvases! So many possibilities.
- Why Heron House Mahjong: Deep question. It's because I love this game and the community that surrounds it. We deserve a HOME where we can all go and enjoy being together, where there is always someone to join you at the table, where you can learn and create and PLAY with joy. The world needs more joy. We can be a piece of that joy here in Charlotte.
- Describe the Heron House vibe in 3 words: Love. Love. Love
Charolette loves to ideate. There are 100s of ideas swimming in her head about how to make Heron House better and better and better. She credits Mahjong for awakening her imagination and sparking the creativity that is helping Heron House take flight.
Jamie
Meet Jamie Bigsby
Advisor & Instructor
Welcome to the team a truly visionary leader, Jamie Bigsby! Jamie is a trusted advisor here at Heron House and an expert in all things development: player development, product development and business development.
Here are a few fun facts about Jamie:
- Family and Pets: Son - Haywood, 2 doodles and 2 bunnies
- Professional Background: CFP - Financial Advisor for over 27 years
- Why you love Mahj: Smiling faces at the table, relaxing into the game
- Charleston strategy: It's like a dance to strengthen your hand
- Favorite tile set: Middle & Main - Barrier Island
- Best tile to draw: Joker!
- Go-to snack or drink at the table: Sparkling water and charcuterie
- Superstitions: Sometimes I put a Joker in my bra for extra luck
- Music or Silence: Music please - especially songs from the 80s
- Early bird or night owl games? I try not to miss my 9pm bedtime
- Rate your competitivenes: 8 out of 10
Vanessa
Meet Vanessa Maybury
General Manager
Vanessa was made for Heron House Mahjong. Her role as general manager combines everything she loves to do and puts her career experience to perfect use. Fate stepped in when a professional connection with Charolette led to an invitation to her first mahjong experience. Newer to the game, she is on her way to becoming an enthusiast.
- Family members and/or pets: Twin 15 year old twins, Alden & Gianna and a 9 year old son, Holt, with an all-white cat named Betty White!
- Education & professional background: Graduate of West Virginia University with over 20 years in retail and business experience
- Favorite thing about mahjong: Learning the game is fun and exciting!
- Bam, Crak, or Dot: Dot
- Music or silence while playing: I love to have music playing to keep it fun
- Describe the Heron House vibe in 3 words: Connection. Warm. Inviting.
- Pro or anti trinkets and blanks: I love the idea of trinkets.
- My happy place: The beach
- My favorite quote: You miss every success you never pursue.
- I want our guests to feel: That they have stepped into our home. It is a place for them to feel relaxed, welcome, and ready to have fun, an oasis away from the everyday hustle and bustle of daily life.
- Why Heron House? The opportunity to be a part of the founding team of Heron House is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Kerry
Meet Kerry Singe
Instructor and Guest Experience Associate
Kerry is an instructor and guest experience associate. She has worked for many years as a journalist, writing and producing stories for daily newspapers, magazines, newsletters and television. Curious and analytical, she loves solving problems and sharing stories. At Heron House, Kerry enjoys meeting new people and spreading her love of mahjong.
Fun facts about Kerry:
- Family members and/or pets: Husband Jayson, son Henry, daughter Elsie and Conan, their most beloved Zuchon pup.
- Education & professional background: Bachelor's degree in quantitative economic decision sciences from the University of California at San Diego (she's a California native!) and a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern.
- Favorite thing about mahjong: I have always loved games and puzzles. Mahjong also offers the chance to find and nurture a community.
- Charleston strategy in one sentence: Make a choice and let it go - assess your strengths, pass the tiles and don't overthink.
- Favorite tile set: My first set - an OG from Oh My Mahjong. La Fete's happy colors and easy-to-play design bring me such joy. I also love Bespoke Mahjong's Spring Safari tiles in Bright White. Lively and fun and they have a delightful feel.
- Music or silence while playing: Music, and I'll dance in my chair.
- Describe the Heron House vibe in 3 words: Inviting. Inspiring. Invaluable.
- Most competitive (1–10): Maybe an 8 if I'm really in for the win. But I'm a relatively chill player.
- Pro or anti trinkets? Blanks? I'm new to trinkets - they seem fun. No blanks, please.
- Favorite mahjong lesson that is actually a life lesson? Learning how to not overthink and let go. Sometimes choices aren't clear, and you have to make the best decision you can at the time. You'll find out it's all ok. There's always another game.
- My Favorite quote? “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- I want our guests to feel …. Embraced and inspired.
Kerry was instantly hooked after learning to play mahjong with friends and soon was looking for opportunities to play regularly. She enjoys the challenge of the game and is grateful for the friendships she has formed within the mahjong community. A rockhound who collects stones and crystals, Kerry appreciates the tactile aspect of mahjong and is easily comforted by the feel and sound of the tiles.
