FAIRHOPE, Ala. — The downtown shopping and tourism brochures might get a new look for the New Year.

“We’re looking at other cities that are putting out a much higher quality product,” said Pete Blohme, president of the Downtown Fairhope Business Association. “We’re thinking of something that can combine several together and put them all in one brochure, so we can do a better job of promoting what’s here.”

Blohme, owner of Panini Pete’s Cafe and Bakeshoppe, addressed the City Council last week on behalf of the downtown merchants during a work session prior to the regular Monday meeting. He said the various tourism brochures produced by groups such as the city, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Shore Art Center and DFBA might not be as effective as a single one produced by the groups together.

“We’re trying to develop some alliances this year to really do a lot more in the downtown area,” he said. “A lot of people know about Fairhope, but we need a lot more to know about it.”

Blohme pointed to cities like Savannah, Ga., Charleston, S.C. and Sarasota, Fla., which he said have high-quality brochures that bring together the arts, history, shopping districts and other tourism aspects of those cities, promoting them overall as unique destination points.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said Council President Debbie Quinn, adding that some brochures might get thrown away or lost as tourists search for the one best publication to work from during a visit.

Sherry Sullivan, director of the James P. Nix Center, who manages special projects and publications for the city, said last year’s brochure had a budget of between $3,000 and $4,000, with a budget this year of $7,000.

Blohme said the plan for a new brochure to promote the downtown area is also an effort counter the current economic downturn. Both Blohme and Quinn expressed concerns about the city losing stores in the downtown area and the need for taking proactive steps.

One plan for the new brochure would involve 50,000 copies at a cost of about $20,000, he said.

“That is what we would like to get out before the Arts and Craft Festival,” said Blohme, referring to one of the city’s major tourism events held annually in March. “It would double the size (of the current brochures) and include a map.”

Sullivan said the city is collaborating with the downtown merchants assocation on the project and currently developing a budget for the new brochure.

For more information about the Fairhope Downtown Business Association, visit its Web site at www.fairhopemerchants.com.