On a Saturday morning in mid-July, the Township of Lyons office buzzed with quiet purpose. A vacuum cleaner sputtered back to life, an old lamp once again lit up a room and a torn pajama top was stitched back together, one seam at a time.
The Township of Lyons hosted its monthly Repair Café on July 19. The event is part of a growing series of free sessions where volunteers help residents fix broken household items. Upcoming dates include Aug. 16, Sept. 20 and Oct. 18, which will mark the café’s two-year anniversary.
The events are held at the Township of Lyons headquarters, 6404 Joliet Road, Suite 1, in Countryside.
“Many of the items we buy today seem to have a short lifespan,” said Molly Price, the township’s community outreach manager. “This is a place to try and keep things out of the landfill and save everyone money.”
Each Repair Café draws between 25 and 35 people, Price said. Township residents bring in everything from torn clothing to malfunctioning appliances, hoping for a second chance at function.
The events are powered by handy volunteers, people who know how to sew, fix costume jewelry and troubleshoot small electronics. Some live nearby. Others drive in from places like Naperville, all eager to lend their skills.
“They are passionate about helping people,” Price said. “They love sharing what they know.”
Among the attendees at the July session was Consuelo Lopez, a resident of the Countryside Senior Apartments. She brought in a jacket with a broken zipper, along with knives and scissors to be sharpened.
“I absolutely love the service here,” Lopez said.
La Grange resident Jan Ziroli said she heard about the Repair Café through a friend.
“This is my first time here, but I think events like this are really nice for the community,” Ziroli said.
Free knife sharpening has become one of the more popular offerings, with a limit of three blades per person and a maximum of 30 blades sharpened per session. Coffee and donuts are also provided for those waiting their turn, along with information about ICash, a state program that helps residents track down unclaimed funds.
Toby Rohowsky, of La Grange Highlands, serves as the Repair Shop’s volunteer coordinator.
“I love being able to offer these services free of charge to everyone who attends,” Rohowsky said. “It’s great to see people come out and talk to one another, often developing friendships that may not have happened otherwise.”
The Repair Café is coordinated through the Office of the Clerk, led by Elyse Hoffenberg. The concept took root after Hoffenberg attended a meeting with Go Green La Grange, an environmental group that promotes sustainable living and helped connect the township with the international Repair Café movement.
Joining the Repair Cafe this month were aldermen from Palos Hills.
“I was proud to partner with Palos Hills Aldermen Art and Donna to bring the Repair Café to our community as a collaborative pilot, with the hope that the program could one day take root in the Palos Hills area,” Hoffenberg said. “The Repair Café is more than a monthly event—it’s a celebration of community, where neighbors offer free repairs and in doing so, remind one another of the power of kindness, connection, and mutual support.
“At a time when so many people feel isolated and overwhelmed, I’m working to expand access to resources that not only meet practical needs but also restore a sense of belonging. The Repair Café is a beautiful example of what good government can look like—hands-on, people-centered, and rooted in care. It reflects the best of who we are when we show up for one another.”
The events have become a community fixture, practical and welcoming, and rooted in the idea that things worth fixing still have value.
Hi! I have a couple of watches which need batteries. Would anyone be able to install them? I having to buy new ones, tossing the old ones, when all they need are batteries.
Thanks Jo Anne