Repair Cafes are local run, pop-up events that promote repair as an alternative to throwing things
out. Volunteer repair coaches generally are able to fix around 80% of the items brought in to a
cafe. The most common repairs are lamps, vacuums and small appliances but other typical
repairs include mechanical, textiles, jewelry, bikes, woodworking and computers. Repair cafes
are also important community building events. RCHV coordinator, jewelry repair coach and
Greenburgh resident Suzie Fromer describes the mood at a cafe; “Everyone is so happy to be
there. It’s sort of beautiful to put on an event where neighbor is helping neighbor for the sheer
joy of it. But we’re also doing something more—we’re creating a culture shift. Together, we are
transforming our throwaway society into one that buys less and recycles, reuses and repairs
more.”