Clothing, household appliances, tech and more can all be salvaged from a trip to the dump and given a new lease on life through an event in Qualicum Beach this weekend. (Repair Cafe Oceanside)

By Alex Rawnsley

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Returning local ‘repair cafe’ has focus on fixing rather than rubbish

Jan 24, 2025 | 12:08 PM

QUALICUM BEACH — Got a favourite toaster, side table or article of clothing which has seen better days? Fix it, don’t toss it.

It’s the driving message coming from the Repair Cafe Oceanside as they prepare to host their second event on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Stephen’s United Church Hall (150 Village Way, Qualicum Beach).

Lally Grauer, one of the founders and organizers, said skilled volunteers will offer their expertise to fix a wide array of items.

“Small appliances, that’s a big area, your broken toaster, hair dryer, vacuum. Computers, iPad’s, phones, small electronics, tech items. Mending clothes, garment repair, patching jeans, jacket. If you have items needing a zipper replaced, please bring a zipper with you.”

Item owners can even help out or observe their repairs, so they can get a better understanding of how to fix it themselves in the future. (Repair Cafe Oceanside)

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Knives for sharpening or small furniture items can also be brought for repair.

She said people wanting multiple items attended to may have to wait back in line, to ensure everyone gets a chance to be seen at least once.

The first repair cafe in Oceanside, held last April, was an overwhelming success.

Grauer said around 50 people were expected but 125 showed up and helped divert many items away from the landfill.

“It’s community building, people meet each other and they get to know each other as the people who can do stuff to help. Learning how to repair your own stuff, because you can follow the repair and watch the whole thing being done and learn from it.”

In addition to giving beloved items a new lease on life, it’s hoped the event will also divert considerable volumes of would-be trash from area landfills.

Grauer hopes the event will help “build awareness about waste, about the amount of waste we create”.

Volunteers with different skill sets are always welcomed.

Grauer said they can always use more small appliance repair people, as well as help mending clothing. Bicycle, toy and jewellery repair are areas they’re hoping to add in the near future.

Those interested in helping out can email repaircafeoceanside@gmail.com.

While repairs are offered free of charge, donations are always accepted to help offset some of the costs incurred by the cafe, including rental of the space, running their website and other expenses.

A wide array of skilled experts in various disciplines will offer their talents as volunteers, to help divert would-be trash from the land fill. (Repair Cafe Oceanside)

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