Repair Café Five Cities

09/02/2026

Many people have no idea that you can sharpen blunt knives, scissors and garden tools. But it's not difficult at all. The knife sharpener at the Repair Café will be happy to show you how. Do you also prefer to cut your vegetables with a sharp knife? Then come and visit a Repair Café! https://repaircafe.org/en/sharpening-knives-and-scissors/

08/23/2026

Broken items deserve a second life. That is cheaper and better for the environment, because throwing away means more waste. Repair Café International is committed to a world in which neighbors help each other to repair as many items as possible and to reduce waste. Do you want to know how we do this? Then sign up for our newsletter! https://bit.ly/4jF6XDO

08/21/2026

08/16/2026

Sometimes we see items that can’t be fixed but maybe there is a way to honor the item

Sometimes things are beyond repair, no matter what tricks our repairers use. But even then, they still try to help you out. Repairer Annelies Bolijn remembers a woman who was very attached to her worn-out duvet. "I advised her to make a small bag from the fabric to hold, for example, potpourri. She liked that idea." https://bit.ly/4onQlmr

08/15/2026

Our fixers love helping our neighbors by fixing practical items like a walker

08/14/2026

Have you ever tossed out a perfectly good appliance simply because ...

08/11/2026

Last week I tore a hole in my favorite blouse. I briefly thought about throwing it away until I remembered the wonderful seamstress at our repair cafe. One of them made a beautiful repair.

Ever thought about fixing something instead of chucking it out? 🔧

Last Friday, we sat down with Martine Postma, the brilliant mind behind the global Repair Café movement. She shared how a small gathering in Amsterdam back in 2009 sparked a worldwide network of almost 4000 cafes, where volunteers help people repair everything from toasters to jumpers.

We chatted about why we've lost the habit of fixing things, what you can bring to a Repair Café, and how these community events are changing mindsets around waste and keeping skills alive.

You can watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

👉 Listen now by commenting 419 and we'll pop the episode link straight to your Messenger inbox

08/09/2026

Yesterday a volunteer fixed a multiple CD player for a neighbor.

08/09/2026

KSBY came to our event yesterday

The Five Cities Repairs Cafe was held at the Oak Park Christian Church in Grover Beach on Saturday afternoon. Community members showed up with broken items to receive free repairs.