BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – In June of 2024, Leah Foster announced that her business, Pumped Bellingham, would close at the end of the month.
She explained that owning a business is a business alone is tough mentally and physically, but even more difficult with two young kids. Foster had used her Pumped Bellingham platform to advertise a community Fix-it Fair for some time, and although her business was set to close, she was determined to keep the fair alive.
“When I decided to sell Pumped, I wanted to continue offering the Fix-it Fair because there was a group of volunteers willing [to help] and the community seems to love it,” Foster said.
When Foster lived in Portland, Oregon, she volunteered at “repair cafes,” essentially groups of volunteers who gather together somewhere to fix things for the community. Foster’s eco-friendly outlook on life and business tied in perfectly to establishing a Fix-it Fair in Whatcom County.
“Initially I wanted to keep stuff out of the landfill, but the more I do it I realize it’s so much more than that,” Foster said. “It’s your wedding ring that cracked or your kids stuffed animal—it’s an opportunity for people to hold onto their favorite things and fix them up.”
The Fix-it Fair offers a wide range of tools and skills for community members to utilize. Small appliances, clothing, jewelry and bike repair are just a few of the many items locals can take to get repaired.
Foster gathered fixers by simply asking people to volunteer at the fair, but as it went on, she found people stepped forward asking to be involved. All of the volunteers who participate in the fair dedicate their time to bringing the community repairs for free. They not only fix items for attendees but show people how to fix their own items as well.
In the end, the Fix-it Fair is living on—and so is Foster’s business. She sold it to a longtime customer, Sydni Seidel, and the Fix-it Fair coming up on Oct. 19 will honor the return of Pumped Bellingham.
Those interested in attending the fair are encouraged to bring any number of items that need minor repairs. The event will take place at 112 Ohio St. from 12 to 3 p.m.
