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Traverse City Repair Café
Saturday, June 14, 10 AM – 2 PM
McGuire Community Room & Front Lawn
Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686
Got a broken toaster? A wobbly bike wheel? A moth-eaten sweater? Don’t toss it—bring it to Repair Café Traverse City and give it a second life.
This free, donation-based community event pairs attendees with skilled volunteers who help repair household items—from electronics and clothing to bicycles and furniture. You bring the item. We provide the tools. Our volunteers bring the know-how.
How it works:
Bring items for repair: Come with anything from a pair of ripped jeans to a broken plate or an old bike.
Get paired with a fixer: Check in and get matched with a skilled fixer who will help repair your item.
Repair your item: Learn how to repair your item with the guidance of a volunteer and all the tools needed for basic repairs.
FAQs
What kind of items can I bring for repair?
Small to medium sized items that could be repaired using basic hand tools like: bikes, clothing, wooden objects, wicker, ceramics, furniture, small household appliances (blenders, alarm clocks, vacuums etc.), toys, lamps, and knitwear.
Please no electronics like phones, computers, tablets or TVs or oversized items that cannot be easily carried by a team of two.
How many items can I bring for repair?
Limit of two items per person.
Do I need to reserve a spot?
Nope! Repairs are first come first served. Please consider RSVPing for the event at the bottom of the page so we know about how many people plan on joining.
Do I need to bring my own tools?
If you have a specialized tool that will help with your repair or want to be sure you have access to a particular tool, please bring it! Otherwise, we will have tools needed for most basic repairs.
How much does it cost to have an item fixed?
The event is free with the option to donate to help us continue hosting more Repair Cafés.
How can I help out?
If you’re handy and have a passion for helping others consider signing up to be a Repair Volunteer! Or donate old tools to our used Tool Drive.
Where do I park?
In the event the parking lot is full at the library, additional parking is available at Hull Park – 660 Hannah Ave, Traverse City, MI.
Important Note:
This event is staffed by skilled volunteers who are knowledgable handy-people, but not experts. Not all repairs will be able to be completed due to time and complexity. Volunteers reserve the right to turn away time intensive or overly complicated repairs and will provide books, online resources, or expert repair recommendations.
This event places learning at the forefront. Repairs made at the café are not meant to be a mere transaction. The intent is for patrons to learn and participate in the fixing of their item so they (hopefully) know how to repair it again in the future.