iStock/CatherScarl
Jill Pelke discovered the game of mah jongg just over a year ago after she and her friends took a lesson in the West Metro. Pelke continued making the trek to the area for open play. “There was nothing like this in Woodbury, but I kept driving over there because it was worth it,” she says.
That void led Pelke to create a company called MN Mahj Social, a group offering open play and lessons in Woodbury; she started in May, and it’s been growing ever since. “I came to love the game, [and so] I wanted to get it out to Woodbury, do it in our community and meet more people and give people the opportunity to come out,” she says.
MN Mahj Social most often meets at 3rd Act Craft Brewery, where participants register for $25 per session and play for about two hours. There are prizes, such as mah jongg mats, pasta kits, succulents and more, and it has become so popular that Pelke hopes to start a league and one-on-one tournaments.
During the holiday season, Pelke will feature holiday-themed tiles and plans to host donation drives. “It’s just bringing people together,” she says. “It’s a way to connect, laugh and build friendships. I have a welcoming space where anyone can come whether they’re new or experienced.”
Learn more about MN Mahj Social on its Instagram @mn.mahjsocial.
