By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Katy Hunsberger barters with fellow fifth-grader Nathan Volski (right) at the "Pop 'N' Candy" store she ran with partner Kelsey Hayes (left). (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

MASON - In a room filled with students selling candy, pretzels, breads and other baked goodies, Kelsey Hayes and Katy Hunsberger decided Thursday it was time to slash prices.

"We've got to get rid of all this," says 11-year-old Hayes, as she sorts through the boxes at "Pop 'N' Candy." "Some kids come over and say they're selling that for more or they're selling that for less. We just say we're a different candy store."

The duo, who wore white aprons and hairnets, were among more than 100 fifth-graders who set up a store for the Mason Mall. The project was the culmination of an economics unit for the students on Mason Intermediate's Keepers of the Earth team.

The mall's 51 stores, which lined a hallway and filled a large classroom, opened Tuesday and had a going out of business sale Thursday afternoon.

Among the top profit makers was Seak Sports, run by Kyle Searer and Evan Armentrout, who sold out of their $5 flip-flops decorated with brightly colored fabric.

"We know it's over $200," 11-year-old Kyle said. "We counted $217 yesterday and we did really well today. We're anxious to see what we made."

Each student had to choose a product to sell. Then pupils created a logo, business cards and letterhead and surveyed customers about their needs and what they would pay.

They also wrote invitation letters to parents and came up with a 30-second commercial.

As parents and other adult visitors shopped, they judged the students' work, including their stationary, professionalism and creativity in their uniforms and commercials.

Other Mason Intermediate classes also visited the stores, which sold everything from baseball cards and books to potted plants and homemade jewelry.

Stores that sold similar items had to keep their prices competitive to draw customers.

"We had to change our prices because they lowered them," said Jonathan Glandorf, pointing at another snow-cone store. "They've made it a rough ride."

Fifth-grade social studies and language arts teacher Patsy Fields, who headed up the mall, said she had done the project on a smaller scale four years ago.

The teachers want to have bankers come in for the next lesson: investing.

"Kids don't know finances - they need hands-on experience," she said.

"I'm hoping they'll save (the money) rather than just spend it on a PlayStation or another game. I'd like to see the interest grow."

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com