But stop someone on Weaver Street and ask where Clay Centre Gallery or Miel Bon Bons is, and you might get a puzzled look.

To boost the economy and community pride, the Carrboro Merchants Association has created a new website, walkcarrboro.com, and a fold-out walking map of local businesses.

"I see Carrboro as an ideal tourist destination," said photographer Jesse Kalisher, the president of the association. "We have a bunch of individually owned businesses run by people who are passionate about what they do. enIt's pretty remarkable."

With the map and website, the association wants to spread the word about everything available in town -- from handmade chocolate to locally made pottery to world-class comedy.

In all, 22 downtown businesses have joined to fund the venture, which includes plans for advertising and public relations efforts throughout the year.

Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton applauded the effort.

"The individual shops and the passion we have in Carrboro are unique to the Triangle and possibly to all of North Carolina," Chilton said in a news release. "And the new merchants association's efforts are going to make it much easier to share all this with folks, to draw them into downtown and into our shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.

"And that," the mayor said, "will be good for all of us, businesses and taxpayers alike."

The colorful map which is the centerpiece of the new effort was commissioned by the Association and hand drawn by Carrboro artist Richard Cloudt.

"What an honor," Cloudt said in the release. "I've spent 20 years in this town and can think of no greater assignment than to bring Carrboro to life on paper."

Kalisher declined to say how much the association paid Cloudt but said it cost $4,000 to print 10,000 copies of the map. He is working closely with the town and Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau to market the town to locals as well as to outsiders.

"We all want the same thing," Kalisher said. "We want people to know what's here, to spend a perfect day with us, and then tell their friends about it."