Repair, Reuse, Revive - Celebrating Sustainability at the Repair Café

by Marina Kiriakou -

The Town of Mamaroneck will host its fifth annual Repair Café on Sunday, October 26th, from 12 PM to 4 PM, at the Mamaroneck Senior Center (1288 Boston Post Road).  This community event is co-sponsored by the Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative, the Village of Mamaroneck Committee for the Environment, and the Larchmont Environmental Committee. 

Last year, the Repair Café attracted over 100 residents who brought their broken items for free repairs by talented volunteer “fixers.”  The event invites residents to bring cherished toys, lamps that have lost their glow, or favorite shirts in need of mending, all in the hope of giving these items a second chance.

Who Are the “Fixers”?

The Repair Café is staffed by local volunteers known as “fixers,” who bring a diverse array of skills and a passion for repair over replacement.  These skilled individuals include electricians, carpenters, seamstresses, and hobbyists, all eager to share their expertise.  Co-organizers Mark Kramer and Kevin Crowe emphasize that the fixers represent the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors, extending to their willingness to teach participants the skills needed to repair items themselves.  “The fixers are not daunted by the task of disassembling items to restore them to working condition,” Kramer stated.

Giving Items a New Life

In an era often seen as a throw-away society, the Repair Café promotes sustainability with the motto: “Toss it? No way!”  The event encourages attendees to repair their belongings rather than discard them, effectively reducing waste and extending the life of valued items.  Participants can bring a variety of home goods, including lamps, small furniture and appliances, clothing, toys, costume jewelry, and even knives for sharpening.  This year, a station dedicated to umbrella repairs will also be featured, alongside a native plant, houseplant, and seed swap area.

A Global Movement

The Repair Café movement began in Amsterdam in 2009, founded by journalist Martine Postma.  Concerned about the waste generated by a throw-away economy, she launched the first Repair Café as a community response to the increasing trend of discarding fixable items.  Since then, the initiative has expanded globally, with hundreds of Repair Cafés now operating worldwide, including here in Mamaroneck.

Mamaroneck's Journey

According to Kramer, the first Repair Café in Mamaroneck was inspired by the late George Roniger, who attended a similar event in Dobbs Ferry and brought the idea to the Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative.  The inaugural event was postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the official launch took place in the fall of 2021.

Moving Away from a Throw-Away Society

Kramer and Crowe both emphasize the importance of changing perceptions about repairability. “There’s a whole generation of younger people who don’t even know that many items can be repaired,” Crowe said.  With repair shops becoming increasingly rare, the Repair Café aims to demonstrate that fixing items is not only feasible but also fulfilling.

Last year, 88 items were brought in for repair, with approximately 71% successfully fixed.  This year, with 10-11 different repair stations and 17 fixers on hand, the organizers hope to achieve an even higher success rate.

Smartphone Tips for the Older Generation

In addition to repairing physical items, the Repair Café also addresses the digital divide.  Last year's event introduced high school students as volunteers to assist older community members in learning how to use their smartphones.  “It was impressive to watch the kids communicate in such a helpful way,” Crowe noted.  This intergenerational collaboration will be offered again this fall, enhancing digital literacy within the community.

Supporting Community Sustainability

The Repair Café is part of a larger movement toward sustainability and environmental responsibility in Mamaroneck and beyond.  Other Westchester locations, including Green Ossining, Rivertowns (Dobbs Ferry, Hastings), and Yorktown, have embraced the Repair Café model, promoting a culture of repair across communities.

Get Involved!

The Mamaroneck Repair Café welcomes volunteers, fixers, and event helpers.  Those interested in participating can contact MLMrepaircafe@gmail.com for more information.