By Isabell Macrina
Hometown Weekly Staff
Everyone has those objects in their house that are broken but you can’t bear to throw them away. Whether it’s a lamp, a broken appliance, maybe some jewelry passed down that doesn’t fit quite right. These pieces sit there collecting dust, and you hope that one day you can get it fixed.
Thanks to repair cafes, you can! These events are hosted throughout the various towns, and co-sponsored by Westwood Environmental Action Committee, Sustainable Medfield, Dover Recycling Committee, and more. They pop up in various community centers and churches and aim to give those forgotten pieces a second chance, thanks to help from local experts and hobbyists volunteering their time and skills.
This past Saturday, the repair café was held at Church of the Advent in Medfield and hosted a variety of experts ready to help, from locksmiths and mechanics to carpenters and jewelers, there was an expert for nearly everything. People came in with their variously broken appliances and items to try and get them fixed. Someone brought in a coffee maker, another had a broadcast spreader for a yard, even old jackets and clothes can be given a repair job. One man brought in a box that didn’t shut properly, and it turned out to be an old chocolate sampler box from the Baker company. It felt like an antique show.
Seeing the experts go in on fixing old necklaces and tools, even a large vine of fake plants with lights intwined was inspiring. There was even a parts shop so people could get the parts they need to fix their stuff, and the fixers were happy to talk about repairs and upkeep with the patrons. It became a discussion and appreciation of the items we all have, and giving those a new chance to be used and displayed can make all the difference. Keep an eye out for a repair café near you and check those storage boxes for something that needs fixing, maybe you can find your new favorite décor.
