Iowa City Repair Café, a 100% volunteer-operated group, is partnering with the City of Iowa City and other agencies to hold a repair event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at the East Side Recycling Center, 2401 Scott Blvd SE.

The event provides an opportunity for anyone to bring in a broken or worn item for repair. Volunteer repair experts assess items and teach guests how to make their own repairs, provided they have the needed materials on hand. Due to the high demand for repair services, attendees are allowed one item for repair per turn.

Available repair stations at this event will include:

• Sewing and mending
• Furniture
• Computers, smartphones, and other small electronics
• Electrical, such as lamps

Recycling for electronic cords, cell phones, and batteries will be available at this event at no cost for residents of Johnson County, Kalona, and Riverside.

2026 repair event dates will be announced soon.

Repairing and maintaining belongings is a vital skill, and Iowa City Repair Café is grateful for the numerous experts volunteering their talent, time, and ability to transfer knowledge. Fixing items saves money while also diverting waste from the landfill and shrinking our carbon footprint.

Please contact [email protected] with questions or if you are interested in volunteering your repair skills at a future event. Updates regarding specific repair experts and demonstrations will be posted on the Iowa City Repair Café Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/icrepaircafe.

Iowa City Repair Café is co-sponsored by the City of Iowa City and Iowa City ReStore.