At ‘Repair Cafes,’ Learn To Fix Your Broken Things And Grab A Coffee While You’re At It

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Born in Amsterdam in 2009, the Repair Cafe is a global concept where your broken things — tools, toys, appliances, clothes, and furniture — get fixed with the help of expert volunteers. Instead of throwing away broken things, Repair Cafes give your possessions a second chance.

Each cafe is a local meeting place that caters to those who care about sustainability and waste reduction. In the United States, Repair Cafes have taken root in 11 states, including eight locations in New York state, with more on the way. Today, there are approximately 1200 Repair Cafes in 30 countries, and it’s relatively simple to start your own.

Each cafe is equipped with tools and materials, and even then, “if you have nothing to repair, you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.” Most cafes are set up in libraries, community centers, and church basements, where “repair coaches,” or retired professionals and hobbyists, lend a hand.

There’s no promise that items will be fixed, and all attempted repairs are free. “All we can guarantee is that you will have an interesting time,” one cafe organizer in Kingston, New York, told The New York Times.