With Expanded Leadership, Repair Cafe Returns to Hendersonville

Those who have followed WNC Repair Cafe for a long time will know that we started in 2018 in the workshop of a working farm on the north edge of Henderson County.  Since the pandemic, and subsequent closing of that farm, we've found a wonderful home at the Asheville Tool Library and Buncombe County libraries.  Still, many of our visitors and volunteers alike travel from Henderson County.  Others have mentioned the drive is simply too far, especially for those who have difficulty driving at night. 

Given these circumstances, we are especially grateful for the Blue Ridge Community College Library and the efforts of local organizer Ann Swift for bringing WNC Repair Cafe back to Henderson County.  We'll start with sewing and mending for our first event, with a plan to expand into full service Repair Cafes for 2024.  This first event is only week away, but there has already been great enthusiasm and support from a suite of talented local volunteers.  This is all very exciting for us!

Our friends at Repair Cafe NC are making similar moves to expand access to Repair Cafes across the North Carolina piedmont.  To accomplish this, lead organizer Don Fick, is using a similar tactic: relying on local leadership to organize volunteers, coordinate with local venues and promote events.  

Are you interested in becoming a local Repair Cafe organizer under the North Carolina based Repair Cafe network?  Send us an email and we'll start a conversation!

Building a Community of Repair

Drawing from increasingly wider network, WNC Repair Cafe events at the Asheville Tool Library have been steadily building momentum in 2023.  Having completed four expanded repair cafe events so far in 2023, our committed volunteers have come to expect the unexpected. We see our fair share of lamps, tools, appliances and small engines, but we're also taking on the odd jobs: a 3rd generation heirloom umbrella, a stained glass lampshade, even components of pinball machines! 

Volunteer Chris helps diagnose and repair the plunger switch from a fishing-themed pinball machine. 

A simple fix on a priceless family heirloom

Our special sewing and mending events are doing well too, and with the support of Buncombe County libraries we're continuing to make free sewing and mending repairs available to all.  Every job represents a special new challenge, and here too, we're fixing more than clothes.  WNC Repair Cafe volunteers are stitching stuffed animals, mending outdoor gear and even a patching a beekeeper's suit!  Stay tuned to as we'll be expanding on our schedule of sewing and mending events later this fall. 

Discussing visible mending techniques at Pack Memorial Library

Deborah was thankful to have help with mending her beekeeping gear

2023 repair events have been eclectic and fun, but upon parsing the data, a common theme has been revealed: WNC Repair Cafe is building a community with the confidence to take on repairs of their own.  

Guests are visiting our repair events for a variety of reasons: 

• 28% want to learn the skills necessary to repair
• 26% want to support sustainability initiatives
• 17% want to save money
• 14% don't know where else to go for repair
• 7% really don't want to throw their items in the landfill
• 5% show up for the community of like-minded individuals
• 3% just really love fixing things. 

Of course there's overlap here in our visitor's motivations.  Two things stick out to me: most people want to learn repair, and many people don't know where else to go.  Repair cafes are providing a space for these people to meet each other and share their mutual skills and one thing has been resoundingly clear: guests are gaining the skills necessary for repair.  Our data for 2023 events shows that 65% of those who filled out our exit surveys responded they are more confident to take on repairs on their own. 

 

Announcing Repair Events for 2023

Fall of 2022 was a nice return to well-attended, scheduled repair events. Momentum has been steadily building since the Covid-19 pandemic thanks in large part to our new hosts and collaborating partners: Buncombe County libraries and the Asheville Tool Library.  Regularly scheduled events have been requested by many of our visitors and it stands to reason that momentum will continue to build throughout 2023.  That said, I'm pleased to share that we have TEN repair events now scheduled for 2023.

The Asheville Tool library will be hosting a total of SIX general repair events on a bimonthly schedule.  

The Leicester Public Library and West Asheville Public Library, respectively, will alternate hosting FOUR Sewing and Mending repair events on a quarterly basis.   

All dates are listed on our Events page.

We recognize it's important for repair coaching to be available to new communities.  10 Events in a single year is more than we've ever done - but we're still open for more.   Please feel free to reach out if you're an event planner, non-profit, community organizer or government official and you have ideas about how WNC Repair Cafe can participate at your event. 

Thanks WNC for all your support, We're looking forward to a big year!