We Fixed Stuff (and It Was Awesome): The Staunton Repair Café Debut
We recently held the soft launch of our very first Repair Café and it was a huge success!
For those who are new to the concept, a Repair Café is a community gathering where people bring broken or worn items and work alongside volunteer fixers to repair them, for free. The idea started in the Netherlands around 2009 and has since spread globally as part of a broader movement to reduce waste, share skills, and rebuild a culture of repair rather than disposal. It’s about extending the life of our belongings, yes, but also about strengthening community ties and empowering people to learn practical skills.
And that spirit was very much alive at our event.
We had five volunteer fixers RSVP… and more than twice that number showed up ready to help. Together, we created a vibrant, hands-on space with:
- A general repair table
- Clothing mending and textile repair
- A full computer corner (including Linux onboarding!)
- Electronics troubleshooting
- Jewelry repair
- Even a stained glass fixer
We also had the videographer Holly Snell on-site capturing footage of our local Repair Café:
People came with all kinds of items and questions, and what stood out most wasn’t just what got fixed, it was the energy in the room. Conversations, curiosity, collaboration, and those small but satisfying wins like this 50 year old standing mixer which has a new lease on life!
As part of the event, all of our volunteer fixers earned the first hOUR Economy tokens distributed since the relaunch of our local time banking program. This is a big milestone for us. The Staunton hOUR Economy is officially back and now comes the important part: we need to use it to make it work.
Looking ahead, we’re planning to host Repair Cafés about once a quarter, with our next one tentatively set for August 2026. For this soft launch, we kept marketing minimal, but with your help, the next one can really shine. If you believe in what we’re building, please share it with your friends, neighbors, and communities who might benefit.
In the meantime, we’ve got some exciting events coming up:
📅 Time Banking Social + Community Gathering
Our next meeting on Wednesday, May 27th will double as a time-banking social. Come ready to think about:
- What you can offer the community (labor you can provide)
- What you need help with (projects you're undertaking)
- How we can collaborate and support each other
We’ll also hear from our member Caleb, who will give a talk on available grants like EQIP; great opportunities for small farmers looking to build infrastructure like high tunnels. Come learn how to access funding and connect with folks who can help bring your projects to life!
🌐 What-the-Node Wednesdays: Let’s Mesh Around!
Starting in May, we’re launching weekly peer-to-peer mesh networking workshops. These sessions are:
- Beginner-friendly
- Low-pressure
- Open to everyone
No experience needed, seriously. Whether you’re brand new or already experimenting, you’re welcome.
Bring your device, your questions, or just your curiosity. We’ll troubleshoot together, share what we’re learning, and celebrate the little wins.
This is just the beginning. The Repair Café showed us what’s possible when people come together to share skills, time, and care for one another. Let’s keep building on that momentum.
More updates (and dates/locations) coming soon. Stay connected and let’s keep repairing, learning, and growing together!