Let the Good Tiles Roll

Maureen Skea, owner of Finishing Touches in Spring Lake, grew up in Neptune City. A southern Jersey native, she returned after getting her bachelor’s degree in Maryland and becoming a manager and clothing buyer for the popular chain, The Children’s Place. From there, she worked as a buyer for Macy’s in the private label division and traveled all over the world. 

“I’ve always been involved in textiles, fabrics, colors,” says Skea. “When my children were younger, I had a cottage business in my basement making window treatments for designers and decorators.” Skea went to sewing school, as her mother Eileen felt everyone should learn. Over time, she knew she had to branch out from the basement. She took her show on the road around 2004, renting a space in Spring Lake Heights to work on her designs and sell retail items in the storefront. 

“I became so busy with design, sewing, and installing; it became so much,” says Skea. “Eventually we moved to 1313 Third Avenue in Spring Lake, then a second spot right next door.” Today, the two beautiful storefronts owned by Skea work in harmony. “I still have a design business in the back of the store and retail in the front (which my daughter Moira runs), and now the Mahjong Parlor sits right between design and retail,” she says. 

A New Path 

Mahjong has become a hot topic all over the world and has garnered an outpouring of interest thanks to popularity on social media. “We can’t get over how many people want to come play and learn,” says Skea. Only in its infancy stage at just shy of a month, The Parlor on Third is off to a running start. “We can’t keep the mahjong merchandise in stock,” says Skea. 

The converted storage space is a lovely mahjong room where 16 people can play at the same time. “The space is adorable, and people love it,” says Skea. The brightly colored room features tables of four, all the mahjong accessories, snacks, a fridge, and a place where locals can spend some time unplugging and learning. It’s BYOB in the mahjong room if you’d like to make it a bit of a celebration. 

“It’s a great way for those new to the area to meet locals,” says Skea. “It’s fun to hear the banter between players when the game ends, exchanging numbers, making plans; I love the connections,” she says. 

Visitors to The Parlor on Third with mahjong experience can take part in open play or—for learners—lessons or guided play. Signing up to play is easy; just visit the website and choose which option you’d like. Payment can be completed online, and gift cards are available for the mahjong enthusiast. Clients can even host an event at the parlor. 

“Our instructor Suzy is there for learning courses and guided play. She is wonderful,” says Skea. “The 101 class is for first-timers.” 

Mahjong-themed nights at the parlor are the brainchild of Skea’s daughter Moira. “A few of her ideas are Monster Mahj or charitable nights where a percentage of proceeds can go towards a good cause,” she says. 

“It’s such a fun vibe, and you want to play mahjong with people who smile,” says Skea. “There are players who take it very seriously too. The feedback has been phenomenal.” 

Clients like to match the beautiful and colorful mahjong sets to their home décor, and the shop has a great variety, which is flying off the shelves. “People are making mahjong rooms in their homes and building spaces around it. The tiles, the pushers, the mats, we sell wine glasses that say ‘Mahj with my girls.’ It’s so positive, happy, pretty and bright,” says Skea. 

Creating Community 

The goal at the parlor is to make fun connections. Music plays in the background (yacht rock is a popular choice), and the colder months will be a perfect place to cozy up to a game in the parlor. “It’s bringing in all ages, retired people, younger people; it’s wonderful to see,” says Skea. 

Of course, when visiting the parlor, you can also browse Finishing Touches, which features a theme of coastal, crisp, and fresh looks, as per the website. “A lot of the decor is blue and white, but then pops of hot pink, orange and lime green too. We love to reflect our coastal area. We carry a wide range of things including furniture, upholstered chairs, sofas, stools and mirrors,” says Skea. 

Skea loves to shop for her stock at the markets in High Point, North Carolina, or Atlanta, Georgia, a few times a year. “We try to carry different items than our friends in town. Being zip code friendly is important to us; we all have something to offer,” she says. 

The shop also features artists like Elizabeth Sabine, a talented painter of seascapes that leave the store almost as soon as they enter. Fine jewelry designer Kristen Godek’s beautiful Sea and Sky collection pieces can be found in the shop as well. A small bridal and baby department complements the space and rounds out the variety of a visit to Finishing Touches. 

In Skea’s spare time, it’s all about family. “If I’m not doing things for the store, I’m spending time with my family,” she says. A mother of three and grandmother of two, as well as coming from a big extended family who have stayed local, Skea’s heart is full. Her mother, Eileen, who was a familiar face and constant “employee of the month” at Finishing Touches, is local too. “It’s wonderful getting everyone together on Sundays,” says Skea.  

In the end, Skea is grateful to be part of Spring Lake. “Third Avenue is such a beautiful shopping district. People come from all over, have lunch, walk the boardwalk, stroll in town. There’s a great mix of people, places and things up and down the whole avenue. Some are similar, but different enough that we all can coexist on the same street, we play off of one another. I’m proud to be a part of such a wonderful community.” 

The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and by appointment. The Parlor operates Tuesday through Thursday with online sign-up. 

For more information, visit theparloron3rd.com and finishingtouchesbymaureen.com.

Antonietta Henry is a wife, mother of four, and owner of Antonietta Henry Photography in Pompton Plains. She enjoys exploring and learning more about towns throughout her home state of New Jersey.