Boston Coffee Shop Hosts 'Call a Boomer' Pay Phone

Neuroscience startup aims to reduce loneliness between generations with free, one-way phone line

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:06am

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A coffee shop in Boston, Massachusetts is now home to a refurbished pay phone that allows people to call a random older adult, or 'boomer', at no cost. The phone is part of an initiative by a neuroscience startup called Matter Neuroscience, which is focused on using technology to help people build 'happier brains' and reduce feelings of loneliness, especially among young adults and the elderly.

Why it matters

The 'Call a Boomer' phone is an attempt to bridge the generational divide and foster more human connection, as rates of loneliness have been found to be highest among young adults and older adults. The startup behind the project believes that facilitating casual conversations between strangers can help reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing.

The details

The pay phone, which is located outside of Pavement Coffeehouse, only allows outgoing calls to a single location - a senior center in Reno, Nevada. When someone picks up the phone, they are immediately connected to a random older adult on the other end. The coffee shop became a temporary host for the phone over a weekend, helping to get the necessary wiring and power set up. This is not the first time the startup has installed these types of 'call a stranger' phones, having previously set up 'Call a Republican' and 'Call a Democrat' phones in other cities.

  • The 'Call a Boomer' phone was installed at Pavement Coffeehouse in Boston over a recent weekend.

The players

Pavement Coffeehouse

A coffee shop in Boston, Massachusetts that temporarily hosted the 'Call a Boomer' pay phone.

Matter Neuroscience

A neuroscience startup company that designed the 'Call a Boomer' phone as part of its mission to help people build 'happier brains' and reduce loneliness.

Calla Kessler

An employee at Matter Neuroscience who explained the company's goal of using technology to foster human connection and positive emotions.

Mark Krone

A self-described 'boomer' who picked up the phone and left a voicemail for another older adult, saying he appreciated the simple act of connecting with a stranger.

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What they’re saying

“I honestly never call random people”

— Isabel Lemionet, Marketing team member at Pavement Coffeehouse

“He was just waking up, going out for a walk. He complained about the weather!”

— Isabel Lemionet, Marketing team member at Pavement Coffeehouse

“Honestly, the biggest logistical thing was just getting wires to get all the way to a nice an outlet inside”

— Thomas Tague-Bleau, Marketing Coordinator at Pavement Coffeehouse

“We're focused on helping people become more emotionally fit”

— Calla Kessler, Employee at Matter Neuroscience

“What young people may not know is we're still them on the inside, but we look really crappy!”

— Mark Krone, Self-described 'boomer'

What’s next

The startup behind the 'Call a Boomer' phone plans to install similar pay phones in other cities as part of its ongoing efforts to use technology to foster human connection and reduce loneliness.

The takeaway

This initiative highlights the potential for simple, low-tech solutions to help bridge generational divides and combat the growing problem of loneliness, which can have significant negative impacts on mental and physical health. By encouraging casual conversations between strangers, the 'Call a Boomer' phone aims to promote empathy, understanding, and a greater sense of community.