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The 'Zipper Queen' volunteers at repair cafes to restore busted zippers

NPR | By Jeanette Woods,

Jason Fuller, Sarah Handel

Published February 16, 2026 at 3:19 PM CST

Michelle Elise is known in repair cafe circles as the "Zipper Queen." She finds that most broken zippers just need some TLC, not replacing.

Copyright 2026 NPR

Jeanette Woods

[Copyright 2024 NPR]

Jason Fuller

[Copyright 2024 NPR]

See stories by Jason Fuller

Sarah Handel

[Copyright 2024 NPR]

See stories by Sarah Handel

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