(The following was filed for a Business Week story in October 1989.)

Enterprise Village, Pinellas County, Florida

By Bob Andelman

Step inside the ultimate playhouse for boys and girls who want to grow up to become junk bond brokers and corporate raiders instead of doctors and police officers. Four times a week, 100 fifth graders in Florida's Pinellas County schools are taking part in a unique program in which youngsters study consumerism and the practicalities of business - learning how to interview for jobs, manage a business and employees, juggle a checkbook and buy goods and services - followed by one day of practical application at Enterprise Village.

Sixteen local companies have invested a minimum of $50,000 each to build a mini-mall of stores and offices. Apple donated computers. McDonald's has a restaurant serving burgers, salads, sodas and popcorn; Home Shopping Network has a fully functional studio with air personalities ("Kitty frames, two-fifty, kitty frames, two-fifty!") and operators standing by to take calls; Florida Power sends out meter readers; GTE bills for telephone services; rent is paid to Century 21; Eckerd Drugs sells everything from jewelry to dog food; WRBQ radio and the Enterprise Village Times (sponsored by the St. Petersburg Times) sell advertising. The Village attorney conducts a shoplifting investigation. There is even a United Way campaign.

At day's end - for in Enterprise Village, the economy lasts only a day - the mayor gives a speech on the economy.

The project is the brainchild of area business leaders who were concerned about the level of business and consumer education available in public schools. Working with the Pinellas County Education Foundation, they conceived Enterprise Village as a hands-on learning tool.

Are students influenced by their short-lived careers?

"I want to work for the Air Force," says Juan Gonzalez, 12, Eckerd Drugs pharmacist-for-a-day. "Or I want to be a cartoon animator. If I don't get either of those, I'll work at Eckerd."

Terry Goswick, 10, is the manager of the Eckerd Drugs. He's having a hard time keeping interested in work, however, and mindlessly crosses one leg over the other, wrapping his arms around his body in that awkward way only 10-year-olds can do. In other words, he's fidgety.

"You need to act like a manager, manager," admonishes Elaine Montgomery, resource teacher at Enterprise Village.

Montgomery says the kids go home totally exhausted after their day at the village. But conversation on the yellow school buses is all business - who made a killing, who went broke, who can't add or subtract.

The kids' day is split into 2/3 production, 1/3 consumption.

"Bill time!" shouts the boy collecting payment for the phone company.

"This is the last one! Two dollars for this awesome Home Shopping Network t-shirt!" -- girl

Back at Eckerd, the girl behind the cash register passes downtime by checking out the earrings on display and trying on those that suit her.

Finally, customers. A boy buys a can of Alpo for his dog. Girls buy barrettes and glow-in-the-dark shoelaces.

HSN telephone operators Darlene Joyner, 11, and Cedrick Hayes, 10, are comparing loot. "I bought a ruler, earrings ... " says Joyner. "Before you do anything else," interrupts Hayes, "you should give money to the United Way."

There are signs everywhere: Stay in School. Don't Do Drugs. The unwritten messages from Enterprise Village to kids: Make Money. Count Your Change. Invest Wisely.

Jonathan Unangst, 10, is village attorney for a day. Here's how he describes his job: "I solve a crime and I sign lots of papers, promissory notes and stuff."

Step inside the ultimate playhouse for boys and girls who want to grow up to become junk bond brokers and corporate raiders instead of doctors and police officers. Four times a week, 100 fifth graders in Florida's Pinellas County schools are taking part in a unique program in which youngsters study consumerism and the practicalities of business - learning how to interview for jobs, manage a business and employees, juggle a checkbook and buy goods and services - followed by one day of practical application at Enterprise Village.

Sixteen local companies have invested a minimum of $50,000 each to build a mini-mall of stores and offices. Apple donated computers. McDonald's has a restaurant serving burgers, salads, sodas and popcorn; Home Shopping Network has a fully functional studio with air personalities ("Kitty frames, two-fifty, kitty frames, two-fifty!") and operators standing by to take calls; Florida Power sends out meter readers; GTE bills for telephone services; rent is paid to Century 21; Eckerd Drugs sells everything from jewelry to dog food; WRBQ radio and the Enterprise Village Times (sponsored by the St. Petersburg Times) sell advertising. The Village attorney conducts a shoplifting investigation. There is even a United Way campaign.

At day's end - for in Enterprise Village, the economy lasts only a day - the mayor gives a speech on the economy.

The project is the brainchild of area business leaders who were concerned about the level of business and consumer education available in public schools. Working with the Pinellas County Education Foundation, they conceived Enterprise Village as a hands-on learning tool.

Are students influenced by their short-lived careers?

"I want to work for the Air Force," says Juan Gonzalez, 12, Eckerd Drugs pharmacist-for-a-day. "Or I want to be a cartoon animator. If I don't get either of those, I'll work at Eckerd."