Chico, Sustainable

In 1993 I bought a used "Toastmaster" waffle iron at a thrift store in Walla Walla , Washington. Though I still have it (and it still works), it got retired from active duty in 2006 when we got a brand-spank'n new "Villaware" waffle iron for our wedding.

About two days after the warranty ran out, it stopped working. Despite my best efforts to disassemble it, jiggle wires, and put it back together, it seemed to be happier existing as an over-sized paperweight.

After calling small appliance dealers all over Chico, I learned that no one seems to fix things like waffle irons. I couldn't even send it back to the company to get it repaired.

It seems that no one fixes things anymore. The attitude for many is to "throw away" broken or worn-out items, such as clothing, backpack gear, small appliances, garden equipment, etc. The flawed items often end up in the landfill, and replacements are purchased at often ridiculous prices.

But it is possible to buck the trend, at least in Chico. Here are three contacts to get you started:

Sewing Chic-O
I can sew a small tear better than most, but repairing items such as backpack straps that require a heavy-duty sewing machine (such as backpack straps) or more technically challenging articles (such as zippers) are, as Obama would say, "beyond my pay scale." Sewing Chic-O will do these jobs at a fair price, and helped to rescue one of my wife's favorite jackets. 449 W. 9th Street, 893-8394.

Fanno's Saw Works
Off the Esplanade at 224 W. 8th Avenue, I have heard second-hand that they are the best, sharpening pretty much anything that has an edge (and selling high-quality equipment as well). 895-1762.

Ken Gooken
This is the man who repaired my busted waffle iron! He fixes small appliances at reasonable rates, and works over in a shop off the Skyway at 2555 Zanella Way. 345-0715.