Iowa City Repair Cafe, a 100% volunteer-operated group, is partnering with the City of Iowa City and Iowa City ReStore to hold a repair event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, at the Eastside Recycling Center's Environmental Education Center.
The event provides an opportunity for anyone to bring in a broken item for repair. Volunteer repair experts assess items and teach guests how to make their own repairs, provided the needed materials are on hand.
Available repair stations at this event will include: sewing and mending, furniture, computer and smartphone troubleshooting, electrical items such as lamps, and small engines like lawnmowers.
Due to the high demand for repair services, attendees with multiple items to repair are asked to return to the end of the line after repairing one item to ensure that everyone has a turn.
Recycling for electronic cords, cell phones, and batteries will be available at this event at no cost for residents of Johnson County, and within the city limits of Kalona and Riverside.
Parking options
Parking at East Side Recycling Center may be limited. Additional event parking is available at Systems Unlimited (2533 Scott Blvd. SE).
Bus: East Side Recycling Center is located along Iowa City Transit's South Iowa City bus routes.
Bike: East Side Recycling Center is located along a bike route on Scott Blvd., and bike parking is available in front of the Education Center.
Upcoming repair events
The next Repair Cafe will be held on Nov. 14, 2026. Updates will be posted on the Iowa City Repair Cafe’s Facebook or Instagram pages.
Iowa City Repair Cafe is co-sponsored by the City of Iowa City and Iowa City ReStore.
