Karma Co-op revives its popular repair café

By Brian Burchell

The Small Appliances & Electronics Repair Café, co-hosted by Karma Co-op & Repair Café TO is returning on Saturday, March 28, from 12:00 p.m.– 3:00 p.m. 

Bring your favourite but not-quite-functional small appliances and electronics. Stay to watch and learn precious repair skills from the fixers. 

One can bring multiple items for repair but only one item per person will be fixed at a time. After an item is fixed, you can add your second item to the waitlist.

People bring all kinds of items. Here are some of the items that have been fixed in the last few years: electric razors, clippers, Bluetooth speakers, radios, clocks, shredders, mixers, blenders, food processors, a fabric steamer, a hand-held vacuum, and an electric scooter. Of course, not everything can be fixed, but most problems can be  diagnosed; for example, a replacement part or a battery may be needed. And of course, older items were typically designed to be repaired, whereas many modern appliances are not. So, the repair cafe at times is also an education in how to shop for appliances that can be fixed.

All the Repair Café fixers and coordinators generously donate their expertise and time to bring these events to our community. They receive no compensation. Donations are welcome and can help cover the expenses for both the fixers and Karma.   

Any surplus monetary donations are shared with Karma Co-op and Repair Café  Toronto for co-produced events. Please note that Karma Co-op cannot accept donated appliances as it lacks the space to store them.

Karma Co-op is located 739 Palmerston Ave. The repair café is free to attend and everyone is welcome!

READ MORE:

• CHATTER: Free repair workshops return to Karma Co-op (Jan. 2026)
• NEWS: Karma’s free bike repair cafe (Apr. 2024)
• LIFE: Save Karma Co-op (Dec. 2022)
• NEWS: Celebrating 50 years of  sustainable food and community (July 2022)
• NEWS: Mural reveals eco-anxiety (June 2021)
• NEWS: Karma marks 45 years (JUNE 2017)
• NEWS: Karma Co-op celebrates its 40th anniversary (July 2012)