4 Tips for Starting a Repair Shop Near You
Born in 2009 in the Netherlands, these places dedicated to the repair of objects by volunteers, called Repair cafés, nourish social ties. Instructions for setting one up near you.
Step 1. Look for inspiration
A Repair Café (from English repair, repair) is a regular meeting place, where amateur DIY enthusiasts voluntarily repair all sorts of objects: electrical appliances, small furniture, toys, clothes, bicycles, etc. With one or two people interested in the adventure, go and visit one of the 660 Repair cafés in France. What do you like? What could you do differently? How will you divide up the tasks to carry out this project?
Step 2. Find a location
Contact your local council and, if they want to support the initiative, ask them if they can provide a room in an easily accessible place. A community center, a socio-cultural center or… a real café! The room must be able to accommodate three to six fairly large tables, where the different “repair experts” will work. And chairs so that people who bring their object can learn their techniques. Finally, a table is always dedicated to welcoming the public. It contains the Repair café charter, a notebook to register, coffee, tea… and a piggy bank for those who wish to thank for the repair.
Step 3. Recruit volunteer handymen
No Repair Café without little hands. Spread the word in your networks, your families, but also professional training centers. Go to the association’s website (bit.ly/demarrer-repaircafe) to download the starter kit. A contribution of €49 is requested to support the movement. The kit gives access to many practical tips and dedicated insurance. It contains posters with the logo to publicize the project and recruit volunteer handymen. Note: the latter bring their own tools, in exchange for compensation based on the income from the “piggy bank”.
Step 4. Welcome the audience
On the day, dedicate yourself to welcoming people to explain the concept and direct them to the different repair tables. Sometimes, you also have to manage the wait. Finally, don’t forget to take photos of this first session, and communicate on your social networks to promote your own Repair café.
