Repair Café RVA to Host First Event

December 12, 2024 | Published by Julie Buchanan

A worldwide movement that helps people fix broken belongings rather than throw them away has come to Richmond.

Repair Café RVA will host its first event Jan. 19, 2025, from 3-6 p.m., at the Rag and Bones Bicycle Cooperative, 2916 North Ave., in Brookland Park.

The café was established recently under the umbrella of Repair Café International. Richmond resident Jenny Malone has been working on the project for several months.

“I first heard about Repair Café from a friend who lived in France,” Malone said. “I fell in love with the idea, because my whole life I’ve grown up with the concept of fixing things and not throwing them out.”

Repair Cafes are meeting places that bring skilled volunteers together with people who have items needing repair such as clothing, furniture or small appliances. The cafes also enable access to space, tools and materials for fixing.

The first Repair Café RVA will be focused on these items:

• Clothing, textiles and jewelry
• Electronics and appliances
• Furniture, books and toys

Repair Cafes are entirely volunteer run. The intent is to empower individuals to fix their own things when they can, extending the life of household items and keeping them out of landfills, while also preserving repair knowledge and skills.

Richmond is ripe for repair

When Malone first moved to Richmond a few years ago, she was surprised to learn the area didn’t already have a Repair Café. Smaller cities such as Charlottesville and Asheville have them, and there are more than 2,500 official cafes worldwide.

A mother of two who works as a postpartum doula, Malone began strategizing how to bring the Repair Café movement to Richmond. She gauged interest in the community — starting with fellow parents at her child’s school. She is building connections with many repair experts, including local small businesses who specialize in repair and her father who enjoys repairing small appliances as a hobby.

Jenny Malone

Malone also registered with Repair Café International, giving Repair Café RVA its official name and access to marketing materials and step-by-step guidance.

“I haven’t done this alone,” she said. “I’ve found some help along the way, and I’m hoping to find more help as we go along.”

The first event in Richmond will test the waters for the Repair Café concept and inform future projects and events. Malone would like to see the Repair Café expand to other parts of the city and possibly beyond.

Volunteer

Volunteers who have skills to repair items such as clothing, bikes, furniture and small appliances are needed for Repair Café RVA. If you have tools you can lend, that’s a plus! Fill out the volunteer interest form (Google Doc) and Repair Café RVA will respond.

Donate

The first Repair Café RVA event is in need of the following supplies. Supplies can be dropped off at Top Stitch Mending, 401 N. 23rd St., Dec. 14 or Jan. 11, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

• Textile
  • Fabric, thread, buttons, sewing needles, yarn, knitting needles, scissors, embroidery floss, rotary cutter and mat, sewing machines
• Jewelry
  • Jump rings, clasps, earring backs of any size and material, thin gauge wire in brass, sterling silver and gold-fill.
• Books
  • Clear packaging or strapping tape, cardstock, fine-tip colored markers
• Furniture
  • Wood glue, clamps, ratchet straps, sandpaper
• General
  • Power strips, extension cords, work/desk lamps, printer paper, screwdrivers, wrenches, Allen wrenches, Dremel, drill, impact driver, sharpies, glue, tape, scissors, hot glue, soldering kit and wire, tacks and nails, string)

Follow on Social Media

Follow Repair Café RVA on Facebook and Instagram.

Have a space or suggestion for a future Repair Café RVA? Email repaircaferva@gmail.com.

Category: News