Bike-riding duo trying to earn summer cash delivering packages downtownwith urban flair.
 

By Ray Charles
The Times Leader, June 15, 1998
 

WILKES-BARRE -- Pedaling with packages through Public Square -- anddodging people, pigeons and Pontiacs -- two 14-year-old boys have broughta big-city fixture to downtown Wilkes-Barre.

Jonathan Smith of Luzerne and Tom Barnes of Kingston have started theirown bike messenger service.

While most of their friends are at home still sleeping or watching television,Jon and Tom are collecting letters and lunches, and dropping off deliveriesfor the Luzerne County Courthouse and downtown businesses.

But does Wilkes-Barre's relatively small downtown have the clienteleto support a bike messenger service?

"I'm sure they pattern themselves after big city couriers," said PhilRudy, owner of Circles on the Square. "I don't think Wilkes-Barre has thesize for such a service."

The boys do not expect to make the type of money that bike messengersmake in places such as Boston, Philadelphia and New York. But they do expectto earn enough to make them the Bill Gates and Donald Trump of their classnext year at Bishop O'Reilly High School, Kingston.

"We love money and riding our bikes," Jon said. "If it works out thissummer we'll do it again next summer."

"We need this money for our bikes and ourselves," Tom said.

The boys said their parents are proud and supportive, and helped thekids make advertising fliers.

"Jon has been an entrepreneur since birth," said his mother, Terri Smith."Jon has had other businesses in the past, like Grass Cutters Are Us andSnow Blowers Are Us."

The boys hope companies will be attracted to their low rates -- $2 forone-way delivery, $5 for round trip.

However, the duo should be aware that the IRS says everyone -- even14-year-olds -- is obligated to pay taxes on money earned, no matter howsmall the business.