Mahjong Fever in Loveland?

On a typical evening at your local bookstore, you would expect to find readers browsing shelves or flipping through pages. Instead, you might hear the click and shuffle of mahjong tiles as players gather for lessons or league play. Mahjong is a centuries-old game which originated in China in the 19th century, and has been resurging across the United States. But the trend isn’t limited to big cities or cultural hubs. It has reached smaller communities, like ours. Loveland’s Bike Trail Books now hosts mahjong lessons as well as a mahjong league, showing just how far the revival has spread.

Why mahjong, and why now? Part of the appeal comes from a growing desire to unplug. After years of remote work, social distancing, and nonstop screen time, many people are seeking activities that bring them together face-to-face. Mahjong requires four players around a table, and its pace encourages conversation as much as competition. It offers something increasingly rare: structured social time without digital distractions.

Local Loveland bookstore Bike Trail Books began offering mahjong lessons in 2024. Kelly Rafferty, Events Coordinator for Bike Trail Books, reflects on the community response to their offering. “When we first started hosting lessons, we thought we would test it out; see if the interest was there. Mahjong has consistently stayed among our top-performing events nearly two years later,” said Rafferty.  “We can’t get enough dates on the calendar!”

Younger generations have helped fuel the mahjong revival. Millennials and Gen Z have embraced tactile, nostalgic hobbies — puzzles, crafts, board games — and mahjong fits naturally into that shift. Social media has further amplified the trend, turning colorful tile sets and themed game nights into something trendy, stylish and communal.

By offering lessons and organized league play, places like Bike Trail Books transform mahjong from curiosity into a shared, community experience. “At Bike Trail Books, we aim to build community and act as a “third space” in Loveland,” said Rafferty. “Mahjong Mondays, where we host both a seasonal league and a class, are among our most popular nights.”

Ultimately, the game’s resurgence isn’t just about rediscovering an old pastime — it reflects a broader desire for connection, community, and meaningful offline time, whether in major cities or small hometown gathering spots. By offering lessons and organized play, community hubs like Loveland’s Bike Trail Books transform this broader cultural movement into something tangible and local.

Interested in Mahjong? Contact Bike Trail Books: (513) 332-1308 or info@biketrailbooks.co