Repair Cafe
Our next Repair Cafe will take place on Wednesday, September 23rd 2026, from 5-7:30pm in the atrium of the Sun Prairie Public Library (1350 Linnerud Dr.)!
At the Repair Café, community members will gather to repair broken items, reduce waste, and share skills. Bring your small appliances, electronics, clothing, bicycles, or other household items that need a repair. Volunteer repairers will work with you to try to troubleshoot and repair them for free! Whether you bring something to fix or attend to learn & connect, the Repair Café is a celebration of community, creativity, and sustainability.
Thank you to our generous event sponsor, Sun Prairie Utilities!
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Please note:
- There is a limit of 2 broken items per attendee.
- Repairs will be assigned on a first come first serve basis as attendees check-in and repairers become available.
- Repairs that cannot be completed during the event will not continue after the event.
- Repairs are not guaranteed, and all participants must sign a waiver.
- This is not a drop off event. Attendees should plan to stay with their item(s) for the duration of the repair(s).
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL EVENT INFORMATION
What is the purpose of a Repair Cafe? Repair Cafes offer an alternative to throw-away culture and promote sustainability, waste reduction, and community building through sharing repair skills.
Is the event free? Yes! There is no cost to participate.
Can I attempt to repair my item on my own? Yes, attendees are welcome to do their own repairs on their own items while enjoying the atmosphere of the event and using tools/supplies that are available.
Can I attend if I don't have an item to be repaired? Yes! This event is open to all community members to learn & connect.
Can you guarantee my item will be fixed? Unfortunately, no. While our volunteer repairers will do their best, not every item can be repaired. Sometimes the damage is too severe, or parts are unavailable.
What if a repairer determines my item cannot be repaired during the event? Some items may be beyond the scope of this event in terms of timeframe, complexity, available supplies/tools, skill sets, etc. Items that cannot be repaired will be sent home with attendees. Repairs will not continue after the event.
Who is responsible if something goes wrong? All repairs are at your own risk. Volunteer repairers offer guidance and help, but they nor the city cannot accept liability for items that are damaged during the process.
Can I drop my item off for repair and pick it up later? No. This event is participatory, and attendees must remain at the event with their items - volunteer repairers will repair items with you, not for you.
Will there be food and drinks available? Yes! Light beverages and snacks will be available.
WHAT TO BRING
What types of items can I bring? Items such as small appliances (toasters, lamps, coffee makers, electronics (radios, laptops), clothing, small furniture, bicycles, toys, etc. that are in need of repair and that you are able to transport to the event are welcome. Please keep in mind the scope of the event and the intention to help as many as attendees repair items as possible. Consider bringing items that need small repairs rather than items that are severely damaged (ie. resurfacing a table, assembling a bicycle from parts, or reupholstering a couch are repairs beyond the scope of this event).
Is there anything I shouldn't bring? For safety and liability reasons, please do not bring microwaves, gas-powered equipment, or large appliances. Due to time constraints, we are also not accepting zipper repairs.
How many items can I bring? Attendees can bring up to two items to be repaired.
Do I need to bring parts for the repair? If you know what's broken and can bring the replacement part (e.g. a button, cable, fuse, battery, etc.), please do! It increases the chances of a successful repair.
PARTICIPATION
I want to volunteer. How can I get involved? This is a volunteer-run event, so any help is appreciated. Please reach out to hbest@cityofsunprairie.com to join our volunteer list.
I have a question not listed in the FAQs. Whom should I contact? For all other questions and inquiries, please reach out to Hannah Best, Sustainability Program Coordinator, at hbest@cityofsunprairie.com or (608) 886-2399.