Jane Starkenberg-Cook says she first found Majestic through other seniors she met at the Rose Park Senior Activity Center.
“It’s a social thing. And so it’s just amazing what it’s done for the whole people at the Rose Park started to come over here and ask about karaoke. So now everybody’s talking about it, you know, and everybody’s getting involved,” said Jane.
Starkenberg-Cook says even those who are hesitant to take the stage eventually find themselves joining in the fun.
“Even from the most shy person can get up there. And once they start stepping out, their personalities just totally changed. They start to be more outgoing and not worrying if they’re not hitting the right notes,” said Jane.
Research backs up some of what Starkenberg-Cook sees firsthand.
A 2020 study by researchers at Japan’s RIKEN research institute found that regular karaoke training was associated with improvements in executive cognitive function, as well as some measures of respiratory and physical function in older adults. The researchers say singing can also provide a form of light physical activity while giving older adults a fun, arts-based way to stay engaged.
Senior karaoke is just one part of what happens inside Majestic.
“Probably the original idea was being a place for live music and for theater,” said owner Sam Wolfe.
Wolfe says the experiential approach to his coffee shop grew out of his earlier work with Neon Parrot Lounge, “We hosted live music on the regular, had touring bands coming through. And then we hosted Hedwig and the Angry Inch.”
Over time, that live entertainment expanded to include karaoke, songwriter open mics, and other events. Wolfe moved away from the bar side of the business when COVID hit in 2020, and some of those events disappeared.
But the songwriter’s open mic resumed when Majestic Coffee opened in 2021. Now, Majestic and Neon Parrot Live work together to give local artists and performers a place to share their work.
“Majestic is the bread and butter entity that allows for community and allows for the space to be open to the public every day, almost all day," said Wolfe. "And that’s essential for cultivating community and being a spot or third space for people to gather.”
A 2025 survey by the American Association of Retired Persons found that 40% of American adults of all ages reported feeling lonely.
And over the last several years people have sought out places where they can linger with a low-financial obligation, and not feel rushed to make room for the next customer.
While some can enjoy sitting in a park or library. Others seek out third spaces where there’s an activity that helps facilitate that social connection.
Laughter is a great tool for breaking tension and bringing people together.
Tate Ellison hosts the bi-weekly comedy night. He says it’s a great chance for someone who’s always wanted to try to make a room full of people laugh.
“I wanted to give people an opportunity to come up here, hone their skills and be better comedians. And they could go out and do a bigger show elsewhere or here, or, you know, just become better comedians,” said Ellison.
Manager in training Campbell Horelica has absorbed the welcoming mission of the shop.
“Majestic in itself is very community centered. And so I’ve learned from Sam, the owner. He wants it to be mostly community based, a place where everybody feels comfortable to come and hang out and just be themselves,” said Horelica.
One of the first lessons in improv comedy is the “Yes, and” response to any suggestion. Sam Wolfe implements that approach at Majestic, bringing together coffee and conversation, karaoke and comedy, a space where people can just be, and a venue where local performers can share their talents.
“We look for any way of what we can do to use our space to do that, to support the culture of Abilene. And that’s just being open to saying yes,” said Wolfe.
That philosophy keeps Majestic and Neon Parrot Live open to new ways to support the people who come through the doors looking for community, not just coffee.