Repair Cafe in Pound Ridge gives new life to old belongings, builds community

Repair coach William Dooley at work. MARILYN SHAPIRO PHOTO

By JANE SIMS

Conant Hall was buzzing with activity Saturday as a team of volunteer fixers was at the ready to help bring broken items back to life.

It was the 16th Pound Ridge Repair Café, part of a growing initiative to fix rather than toss home goods and clothing. The concept originated in Amsterdam in 2009 and has grown into a global movement with over 4,000 repair cafés worldwide. Statewide there are 75 such gatherings. 

“Repairing instead of discarding keeps items out of the landfill, conserves resources, and reduces waste, which is an easy and impactful step toward a more sustainable community,” said Marilyn Shapiro-Lowell, coordinator of the twice-yearly event sponsored by the Pound Ridge Conservation Board. “Plus, you can have treats and coffee with your neighbors, and it’s all for free.”

At the sewing table, volunteer Jody Sullivan was mending a jacket for Larry Boguchwal. 

“This jacket is older than my marriage,” said Boguchwal, a former geologist,  referring to a winter jacket he wore 50 years ago in geology field camp.

“This is my fourth time bringing the jacket to the repair café. Between seeing Jody at least annually, which probably has a lot to do with it, and my sentimental ties to my jacket, I’m more than a little motivated to come to the café every time it’s held.”

“You become a hero when you fix something people are about to throw out,” said volunteer Susan Roos. “Two years ago a woman brought in her wedding quilt that had a big hole in the middle of it.  She thought it was unfixable, but I found a really nice patch and fixed it. She was so appreciative that I repaired something that was so special to her. I feel like I added something to her life.”

Standing nearby with a bag full of clothing that needed mending, patron Amy Handler lamented the lost skill of sewing.

“If my mother were alive today, she would have been able to fix all of these things, but she never taught me how to sew and I never had the time to ask,” Handler said. 

“The sewists at the repair café are amazing,” she said. “I’m a very grateful and satisfied customer.”

At the bike repair table, volunteer Peter Avellino was inspecting a mountain bike with a wobbly wheel and busted brake. It belonged to Deann Grogan’s son. 

“I’ve been coming to the Repair Café for several years,” Grogan said. “I just love that it’s local and it helps us reuse things that we normally would throw away. It’s inspiring to see all of the volunteers and the skills they have.”

“The Repair Cafe takes me back to my father’s workshop at my childhood house where he fixed absolutely everything,” Grogan added. “It’s an old-fashioned way of using skills. Sadly, my kids aren’t learning from me or my husband what my father could have taught them, which is how to fix everyday things around the house.”

A few tables over, Diane Briggs brought a survey of her property to Pound Ridge Building Inspector Jim Perry to discuss where she might position a new fence. 

“Our repair café is an incredible gift to our community, made possible by many kind, selfless, devoted, and talented volunteers,” said Briggs, a Town Board member. “I love walking through the door and seeing the incredible energy of neighbors gathering here to help one another.”

“Repairing items reduces waste, saves money instead of buying new, and gives extended life to things instead of throwing them away,” said Melinda Avellino, chair of the Pound Ridge Conservation Board. “Our repair coaches love the challenge of fixing things and attendees can learn how to fix things themselves and become handier at home.”

The Pound Ridge Repair Café is a community-building space. At the crafts table, kids were creating clay monsters made with natural materials and painting rocks. Information was also on hand about town conservation efforts, including composting, the Pollinator Pathway, and Amphibian Migration Big Nights. 

“The repair café reminds me of how many dedicated people in Pound Ridge find ways to give back to the community,” said Peggy Kerner, another patron. “It’s just one more town event that brings people together and makes Pound Ridge such a wonderful and friendly place to live.”

“I hope people will continue to support our mission of keeping our local environment clean, healthy and thriving by bringing their broken items to future repair cafés,” Shapiro-Lowell said, noting the group has a 90% completion rate on repairs. “Mark your calendars for the next café on Saturday, March 13, 2027, at Conant Hall.”