Roxbury Repair Café Returns This Spring

Repair, Reuse, Repeat: Roxbury Repair Café Returns This Spring

ROXBURY, NJ (March 20, 2026) - Before you throw away that broken lamp, dull kitchen knife, or wobbly chair, bring it to the Roxbury Repair Café and see if it can be fixed instead. The free event will take place Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at Roxbury Fire Co. #2, 110 Shippenport Road in Landing, and is a collaborative effort between the Roxbury Public Library, the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, and Roxbury Township Recycling.

Now in its second year, the Repair Café program invites residents to bring broken household items and work alongside volunteer fixers to give them a second life while reducing waste and sharing practical skills.

Visitors can bring items such as small electronics, lamps, bicycles, jewelry, sewing projects, household items, and small woodworking repairs. Knife sharpening and sewing machine repair will also be available. To keep the event running smoothly, attendees are asked to bring only items that can be carried without assistance. Each household may bring up to two items, and the limit for knife sharpening is three knives per person.

“We’ve been thrilled by the response from the community,” said Sam Fellman, Repair Café team lead at the Roxbury Public Library. “People are excited to learn how things work, keep useful items out of the trash, and connect with neighbors who have the skills to help.”

Repair Cafés are part of a worldwide movement that promotes repairing instead of discarding everyday belongings. By extending the life of household items, the program helps conserve resources while building community connections through shared knowledge and problem-solving.

“Our volunteer fixers make this event possible,” said Kellie Ann Keyes of Roxbury Township Recycling. “Their generosity not only helps residents save money but also keeps usable items out of the waste stream.”

Patrick Krudop, Education and Outreach Director at the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, noted that the Repair Café reflects a broader commitment to sustainability. “Repairing and reusing items is a simple but powerful way people can reduce waste and care for the environment. It’s inspiring to see so many people come together to make that happen.”

Appointments are strongly encouraged and will be given priority, though walk-ins are welcome as space allows. Appointments can be scheduled online at roxburylibrary.org/repair-cafe-16255. For questions about the event, contact Sam Fellman at sam.fellman@roxburylibrary.org or call (973) 584-2400.

Community members who enjoy fixing things and would like to volunteer as a Repair Café “fixer” are also encouraged to get involved. Volunteers help diagnose problems, make repairs when possible, and share their knowledge with neighbors. Anyone interested in volunteering can reach out to Sam Fellman at sam.fellman@roxburylibrary.org for more information.

The Roxbury Public Library is a community crossroads for learning and discovery.  Each year, Roxbury Public Library serves more than 23,000 residents and neighbors with more than 200,000 check-outs and engagements through offerings of educational and enriching programs, concerts, lending books and audiovisual materials, and offering a wide array of digital content that allows our community members to access a vast array of books, audiobooks, music, and film on their personal devices via their library card. Roxbury Public Library offers expanded digital services, in person and online classes, passport services by appointment, an inventive Library of Things, and an abundance of helpful resources. To learn more, visit roxburylibrary.org. 

The Lake Hopatcong Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to protecting the lake environment and enhancing the lake experience by bringing together public and private resources to encourage a culture of sustainability and stewardship on and around New Jersey’s largest lake, for this and future generations. To learn more, visit lakehopatcongfoundation.org.

Roxbury Township Recycling is dedicated to helping our community reduce waste, protect the environment, and meet our county’s recycling goals in compliance with state laws. We educate residents on what can and cannot be recycled, how to properly sort materials, and why recycling is important. By working together, we can maximize the benefits of recycling, reduce contamination, and ensure that our town contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable future. Roxbury residents are invited to download the free app Recycle Coach and sign up for Smart 911 to receive important notifications.  The Township of Roxbury also participates in the statewide Clean Communities program to reduce litter in public places, encourage volunteer cleanup of public lands, and maintain litter reduction through education and enforcement.  For more information: roxburynj.us/34/Recycling-Sanitation-information