About Enterprise City - Reaching for the Stars - History - Shops

Enterprise City is located at Canyon Creek Elementary School in Richardson, Texas. The City covers 6,000 square feet of space where 16 businesses have been constructed, along with a town hall area and community center.

Participants include sixth and seventh graders in RISD. Enterprise City also welcomes schools from 16 other districts in the Metroplex for a nominal fee.

On the day the students come to run Enterprise City, they apply economic knowledge and citizenship skills learned previously in the classroom.

Students assume roles as shop owners, managers, accountants, sales assistants, designers, and disc jockeys. Officials in City Hall include a mayor, judge, and law enforcement officers.

Businesses located in Enterprise City include the T-shirt Shop, Photo Shop, Jewelry Shop, Gift Shop, Print Shop, Souvenir Shop, Sports Shop, Snack Shop, Distribution and Mail Center, Television Studio, and Professional Services. Businesses advertise in the newspaper, on the radio, and on a web page. Of course, no city would be complete without a bank, the financial hub of Enterprise City.

Reaching for the Stars
Currently, Enterprise City serves approximately 10,000+ students per year. In addition to serving RISD students, Enterprise City welcomes students from 50 schools in the Metroplex.

Future goals for Enterprise City include developing a facility that could accommodate twice the number of students during the school year.

Enterprise City is an award-winning, nationally recognized program. Continued support from the business and civic community will ensure the future success of the program and the development of new dimensions.

History
A task force of educators and community business people provided the impetus for this program. Enterprise City opened in 1985 after the donation of $250,000 by foundations, businesses, and individuals to construct the facility in Canyon Creek Elementary School.

Throughout the years, foundations and businesses have donated funds to maintain the stock of merchandise in Enterprise City shops.

The staff has grown to address increased student participation from the initial group of four teachers and a coordinator to the current staff of six part-time teachers and a coordinator.

Enterprise City Professional Services
		Enterprise City Professional Services serve the city’s need for legal and insurance assistance.  Attorneys assist Enterprise City citizens in making court appearances.  (In 7th grade Insurance agents provide insurance policies to businesses in the city.)
Bank
		The bank is the center of activity in Enterprise City. All money transactions are processed through the bank. Employees must work together to provide smooth running services all day.
City Hall
		City Hall is the center of Enterprise City government. The mayor, judge, and police officer demonstrate the role of government in the free enterprise system.
Distribution and Mail Center
		The DISTRIBUTION AND MAIL CENTER is a wholesale warehouse that sells all needed materials to each shop.  It also sells postage and distributes mail to all Enterprise City citizens.
Gift Shop
		The Gift Shop sells many unique gifts.   Employees of the gift shop use their sales expertise in helping customers select just the right gift for their discerning customers.
Jewelry Shop
		Enterprise City boasts a Jewelry Shop that sells many beautiful, creative items to Enterprise City’s fashion conscious consumers.
Radio Station
		The purpose of the radio station is to advertise for the various businesses, to entertain and to inform citizens of Enterprise City of important times during the day. The Radio Station also sells dedications during the day.
Newspaper
		The primary goal of the newspaper staff is to have a newspaper ready to print by 1:00 p.m. This requires a joint effort of the EDITOR, REPORTERS, AD AGENTS, AND LAYOUT PRINTER.
Photo Shop
		The Photo Shop provides a unique service to the citizens of Enterprise City. A digital camera is used for taking pictures and a Kodak Sticker machine is also available.  Customers also can have their pictures put on T-shirt via photo transfers.
Print Shop
		The Print Shop provides customers the option of purchasing unique items.
Snack Shop
		The Snack Shop sells food and drinks for Enterprise City citizens. Many customers eat their lunches on the awning-covered terrace. The Snack Shop is a popular, busy place.
Souvenir Shop
		The Souvenir Shop in Enterprise City sells souvenir items with the Enterprise City name or logo imprinted on the items.
Sports Shop
		The Sports Shop sells goods related to some type of sport. Many of the items are seasonal, and will be very popular.
T-Shirt Shop
		The T-shirt Shop produces t-shirts with transfers, and other related items. An Enterprise City decal (from the T-Shirt Shop) or an original decal that was purchased and printed at the photo shop can be imprinted on T-shirts.
Television Studio
		The Television Studio provides a service to the citizens of Enterprise City. The studio produces a video of the citizens and activities that go on during the day at Enterprise City. The purpose of the video is to provide the citizens and others a chance to reflect on the day’s events.
Web Design Shop
		The primary goal of the web page staff is to have a web page for each shop (16 total if all shops are open) completed by 1:15 p.m. This requires a joint effort of the Owner, Layout Designer and Ad Agent.