FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Winona Area Makers
June 4, 2025
Fix-It Clinics Return to Winona, Offering Volunteer Help To Repair Your Favorite Possessions
Winona, MN, June 4, 2025 –
When your favorite pair of jeans develops a hole, or your lamp starts making a buzzing noise, it might be better to fix than to buy new. That’s the idea behind Fix-It Clinics: a chance to learn alongside a volunteer while they help you repair and mend those items otherwise destined for the trash. These clinics take place around the world, made up of locals wanting to share their expertise with their neighbors. People bring clothes, small electronics, bikes, computers, and wooden items that would otherwise end up in the dumpster.
Winona had regular Fix-It Clinics for the past year, until organizer Theresa DeGross graduated from St. Mary’s University and relocated to Minneapolis. The Winona Creators Collective, a new nonprofit developing a community makerspace, is restarting her efforts by hosting the clinics.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the work of Theresa DeGross and her volunteers to kick off repair clinics in Winona. The ethos of repairing your items while learning basic fixing skills fits with our makerspace mission, so taking on the initiative was a no-brainer for us,” said President Mark Zocher.
The next Fix-It Clinic will take place on Saturday, June 28th from 9AM to 1PM at Bluff Country Co-Op’s Community Room. The event is free and is not affiliated with the Co-Op. There will be a total of four Fix-It Clinics in town for the rest of 2025:
- June 28th, 9AM to 1PM @ Bluff Country Co-Op
- August 9th, 1PM to 4PM @ East End Rec Center
- October 11th, Time and Place TBD
- December 13, Time and Place TBD
For more information about the free clinics, or to volunteer to repair items, please visit winonacreators.org/fix
Winona Creators Collective has multiple events planned for Summer 2025 to support the creation of a nonprofit community makerspace, including Farmers Market information booths and a pottery paint fundraiser event in July. Their goal is to build a shared workshop with table saws, 3d printers, embroidery machines and more for working with wood, metal, fabric, glass, ceramics, and electronics. More information about the makerspace and their efforts can be found at winonacreators.org
About Winona Creators Collective
The Winona Creators Collective is an upcoming collaborative multidisciplinary space for artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in creating, regardless of background. We serve the needs of the greater Winona community by providing access to specialized tools, arts & STEM education, and mentorship opportunities, to uplift the local economy and foster the joy of making.