By Gene Galin
Pittsboro, NC – The sale of Chatham Mills places one of Pittsboro’s most recognizable properties at the center of a long-term redevelopment effort that could add restaurants, shops, recreation and other commercial activity while preserving the century-old mill building that anchors the site.
Chris Ehrenfeld, president and CEO of BOLD Companies and a longtime Chatham County resident, said in our conversation on September 10 that BOLD has no intention of demolishing the former textile mill. His immediate priorities are more modest: address deferred maintenance, improve the property and find tenants for roughly 27,000 square feet of vacant space inside the approximately 75,000-square-foot complex.
What might happen on the rest of the property is less settled. Chatham Mills includes roughly 32 acres near downtown Pittsboro, according to Ehrenfeld, and much of that land is not occupied by the mill or its existing parking. He said future construction could be commercial or mixed-use, potentially including housing if the company seeks and receives a zoning change. No detailed site plan has been completed, he said, and visible redevelopment beyond the existing mill is more likely five to 10 years away.
That combination – a promise of preservation, significant vacant space and acres of developable land – makes the transaction consequential well beyond a change of ownership. It raises questions about what kinds of businesses Pittsboro can support, how growth will affect traffic and parking, whether pedestrians can safely connect Chatham Mills to downtown, and how a private developer will balance economic opportunity with the identity of a landmark rooted in the town’s industrial past.
“We have zero intention of tearing down the building,” Ehrenfeld said. “It’s a beautiful historic building. It was built in 1925. So, it’s over 100 years old. You can’t replicate that kind of character and history that this building has.”
A nearly $12 million handoff
BOLD announced its acquisition in early September. Local reporting placed the Sept. 3 transaction at nearly $12 million, while the Triangle Business Journal reported a price of roughly $11.8 million. Chris described the overall holding in our discussion as approximately 32 acres.
The seller, Tom Roberts, had guided Chatham Mills for roughly 29 years. Ehrenfeld said the purchase followed a long-running conversation rather than a sudden approach.
“I’ve been in talks with Tom Roberts for years and have always just said, ‘If you ever want to sell, you let me know,'” Ehrenfeld said. “Earlier this year, he finally took me up and said, ‘Let’s have a serious conversation. I think now is the time for me to look at passing the baton on.'”
For Pittsboro, that handoff matters because Roberts’ tenure helped turn an industrial structure into a collection of local businesses and gathering spaces. Existing operations include Chatham Marketplace, The Sycamore at Chatham Mills, Forest Hall, 39 West Catering, a jiu-jitsu studio, a hair salon and movement or wellness uses. Chatham Marketplace recently marked its 20th anniversary.
Chris said most tenants have long-term leases and that BOLD will honor them. He framed additional leasing as a way to strengthen the businesses already drawing people to the site.
“Our goal is always to help the businesses here succeed so they can continue to be good tenants,” he said. “My hope is that by bringing new life, new energy, bringing some new tenants, you bring more people to the center, which then helps each of those businesses continue to grow.”
That assurance responds to one of the first public concerns after the sale: whether acquisition by a builder and developer would displace the current tenants or clear the site for new construction. Chris’ statements rule out demolition as his present intent, but the long-term outcome will also be shaped by future leases, market demand, financing, land-use applications and municipal review.
From woven labels to community landmark
Chatham Mills began as an industrial workplace, not a shopping and dining destination. Historical accounts from the Chatham County Historical Association and state cultural collections trace the mill to A.C. Kluge, who established the Pittsboro operation in the 1920s. The plant became known for woven labels and, according to historical material, operated 180 Jacquard narrow-fabric shuttle looms. State collections describe it as the world’s largest woven-label mill at its height, employing more than 215 workers.
That history gives the property a meaning that cannot be measured only in rentable square feet. The mill represents a period when manufacturing jobs and industrial production had a direct place in Pittsboro’s daily life. Its brick, timber and high-ceilinged spaces retain physical evidence of that era even as their function has changed.
Ehrenfeld said that authenticity was a primary attraction.
“We build lots of beautiful new things, but you can’t build old, cool, historic character that buildings like this have,” he said.
The observation is especially relevant inside two never-finished portions of the complex. Chris identified roughly 10,000 square feet near the front, where ceilings rise about 30 feet beneath a barrel-shaped roof, and another roughly 10,000-square-foot section toward the back. Those spaces present both an opportunity and a challenge. Their scale and architectural detail could become selling points for distinctive businesses, but adapting old industrial space can require costly work involving building systems, accessibility, fire safety and tenant-specific construction.
Chris said BOLD hopes to find users who value the unusual architecture rather than conceal it.
“From an architectural perspective, it’s a gorgeous space,” he said of the barrel-roofed room. “I’m hoping we get a user that appreciates that, and certainly we will encourage them and work with them to make that happen.”
The approach reflects a broader principle of adaptive reuse: historic character can function as an economic asset when old buildings are made useful without stripping away the features that distinguish them. At Chatham Mills, the exposed structure, tall ceilings and industrial scale are part of the property’s identity. Preserving them could help the site stand apart from newer shopping centers, but success will depend on whether tenants can afford the improvements and sustain operations after opening.
Leasing first, building later
Chris described a phased strategy. The first phase centers on the mill itself – repairs, upgrades and leasing. Only after occupancy improves does BOLD expect to decide how to develop surrounding land.
“Our goal is to first not make major changes to the mill itself, other than minor improvements and things like that, and get it leased up,” he said. “Then, once we have it leased up, then we’ll look at, ‘OK, what else can we do with the rest of the land here?'”
Early interest has been strong, he said. Within about a week of the announcement, BOLD had fielded approximately 10 inquiries, primarily from consumer-facing businesses. Possibilities included restaurants, retail and entertainment. Chris also said the company had a letter of intent with a gym for a former church space.
The types of tenants will be as important as the number. A restaurant may generate evening traffic and support nearby entertainment. A gym may bring repeat visits throughout the week. Specialty retail could complement Chatham Marketplace or compete with other local shops, depending on what is recruited. Office space might fill square footage without creating the same pedestrian activity as dining and recreation.
The strongest tenant mix would likely encourage people to combine several activities in one trip. Chris said his goal is to make Chatham Mills a place where visitors remain for an afternoon or evening rather than completing one errand and leaving.
“As we add more businesses, it just makes it more of a destination that you want to go to and stay at and spend your money right here,” he said.
That vision depends on careful curation. A collection of unrelated businesses can fill a building without creating a coherent destination. Complementary hours, events, signs, outdoor spaces and safe walking routes can turn separate tenants into a recognizable district. The property’s established businesses provide a foundation, but future leasing decisions will determine whether the whole becomes more than the sum of its parts.
The undeveloped acreage – and the unanswered questions
The larger question concerns the land around the mill. Chris estimated that the building and parking occupy approximately eight acres, potentially leaving more than 20 acres for future development. He emphasized that BOLD has not drawn plans or committed to a particular concept.
Current commercial zoning allows a range of uses, he said. Apartments would require a zoning modification, which would bring a public process and town review. Chris said he has heard residents suggest mixed-use development with housing, but he also hears substantial demand for restaurants, gyms, wellness businesses and shops.
“I haven’t put anything on paper or come up with any concepts yet,” he said. “My mindset is more focused on preserving, improving what’s here first.”
Key questions for future development will include building height and placement, housing density, stormwater management, utility capacity, tree cover, lighting, noise, loading areas, road access, emergency service needs and the effect on nearby neighborhoods. If residential development is proposed, affordability and the relationship between housing and commercial activity are likely to become part of the discussion.
Design will matter as much as use. New buildings could either reinforce the mill as the visual centerpiece or overwhelm it. Materials, setbacks, open space and view corridors will determine whether the property reads as a unified place built around a landmark or as a conventional development with an old building embedded inside it.
Chris offered a long horizon. Assuming market conditions remain favorable, he expects serious redevelopment work to begin in two to three years, with construction and buildout taking five years or longer. He said the public is more likely to see the larger vision materialize in a five- to 10-year window.
A test of Pittsboro’s growth economy
The Chatham Mills transaction comes as Pittsboro absorbs rapid residential and commercial growth, including continued construction within Chatham Park. The town says the Chatham Park planned development district encompasses approximately 7,100 acres and allows as many as 22,000 residential units and 22 million square feet of nonresidential space over its full buildout.
Those numbers do not represent what exists today, nor do they guarantee that every authorized unit or square foot will be constructed. They do, however, illustrate the scale of change anticipated around Pittsboro. New households create demand for groceries, dining, fitness, services and entertainment. They also add vehicle trips and pressure infrastructure.
Chris views that growth as part of the business case for Chatham Mills. He pointed to apartments already under construction and argued that additional residents will be looking for places to spend money close to home.
His assessment also reflects his previous service as chairman of the Chatham Economic Development Corporation. Chris said county leaders have long discussed the economic effect of residents commuting elsewhere for work and making purchases outside Chatham County.
“If you have most of your people driving out of the county every day, they’re spending their money out of the county, and all they’re doing is coming back home to go to sleep,” he said. “It’s nice to have more opportunities for people to work close to home, but also to spend money close to home.”
More local spending can help merchants and broaden a municipality’s tax base, but capturing it is not automatic. New businesses must offer goods, experiences or convenience that residents choose over alternatives in Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex or online. They also must survive staffing shortages, food and supply costs, rent, debt and seasonal swings.
For existing Pittsboro businesses, Chatham Mills could produce both benefits and competition. A busier destination may draw customers who also visit downtown. Conversely, a concentration of new restaurants and shops with on-site parking could pull some activity away from the town’s traditional commercial blocks. The outcome will depend partly on whether the two areas are connected physically and marketed as complementary destinations.
Parking, traffic and the half-mile question
Chris described Chatham Mills as an extension of downtown, a destination in its own right and a potential bridge between downtown and Chatham Park. In the near term, he expects it to function primarily as its own destination because most visitors will drive and the site has room for parking.
Parking availability is an advantage, but it does not eliminate the need for analysis. Filling 27,000 square feet and later adding buildings would generate more trips. Different uses peak at different times: offices in the daytime, restaurants in the evening, gyms in early morning and after work, and event venues on nights or weekends. Shared parking could reduce the total pavement required if peak times do not overlap, but that conclusion should be supported by a parking study rather than assumed.
Access and internal circulation will also matter. A successful site must accommodate customers, employees, deliveries, people with disabilities, cyclists and emergency vehicles. If entertainment or dining expands, safe nighttime movement and lighting will be important. If housing is eventually included, the development will need to manage daily resident traffic as well as destination traffic.
Pedestrian connectivity is the larger community opportunity. Chris said a planned sidewalk along the Chatham Mills side of Hillsboro Street would help connect the property to the courthouse, roughly a half-mile away. He also anticipates longer-term neighborhood connections from the Thompson Street area.
The difference between a nominal half-mile walk and a comfortable half-mile walk is significant. Continuous sidewalks, safe street crossings, shade, lighting, traffic speed and accessibility determine whether people actually make the trip. Without those elements, downtown and Chatham Mills may remain close on a map but function as separate islands.
The roadway itself is also in transition. State transportation planning for U.S. 15-501/Hillsboro Street has examined widening approximately 1.4 miles beginning just north of downtown. Any major road project could influence access, pedestrian safety and the character of the corridor. Coordination among BOLD, the town and state transportation officials will be essential as private development and public infrastructure plans advance on overlapping timelines.
Chris’ clearest commitment is to the existing mill. He said the company will retain the Chatham Mills name as well as the building.
“What better brand equity do you have than a name that’s been around for 100 years?” he said. “I think it’d be foolish to mess with the name.”
For BOLD, transparency can reduce uncertainty for tenants and neighbors. Regular updates about signed leases, repair work, conceptual planning and anticipated applications would help residents distinguish near-term facts from long-range possibilities. For town officials, Chatham Mills presents a chance to connect transportation, parking, economic development and preservation decisions that are often considered separately.
What residents should watch next
The next chapter at Chatham Mills will not be written by a single announcement. Several milestones will show whether the early vision is taking form:
- Completion of leases for currently vacant mill space, including whether the proposed gym agreement becomes final.
- The nature and cost of maintenance and building improvements.
- Retention and performance of existing tenants during the ownership transition.
- Any conceptual plan for the undeveloped acreage.
- Requests to change zoning or add residential uses.
- Traffic, parking and stormwater studies accompanying future applications.
- Progress on sidewalks, crossings and neighborhood connections to downtown.
- Public details about architectural preservation and the design of new buildings.
The sale does not settle Chatham Mills’ future. It begins a phased test of whether Pittsboro can preserve an industrial landmark, create a stronger commercial destination and connect new investment to the town around it. In our conversation, Chris has made it clear that he puts preservation and tenant recruitment first, while leaving the larger acreage open to a later decision.
For now, the clearest takeaway is that the mill is expected to remain. The consequential questions concern what will grow around it, how quickly that growth will occur and whether public infrastructure and town planning can keep pace. The answers will determine whether Chatham Mills becomes an isolated development with ample parking or a genuine bridge among the old downtown, nearby neighborhoods and Pittsboro’s expanding eastern edge.
Associated links
Chatham Journal interview with Chris Ehrenfeld, “Chatham Mills Deal: What It Means for Our Community,” recorded Sept. 10, 2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5yKYZtB5a0
Chapelboro/WCHL, “So Much Potential: Local Entrepreneur Chris Ehrenfeld Purchases Chatham Mills Property,” September 2026: https://chapelboro.com/
Triangle Business Journal, report on the Chatham Mills acquisition and purchase price, September 2026: https://www.bizjournals.com/
Chatham Economic Development Corporation, “Bold move: Chris Ehrenfeld acquires Chatham Mills,” September 2026: https://chathamnc.com/
Chatham County Historical Association, historical material on Chatham Mills and its woven-label operation: https://chathamhistory.org/
North Carolina Digital Collections, Chatham County Historical Museum materials on Chatham Mills: https://digital.ncdcr.gov/
Town of Pittsboro, Chatham Park overview and development parameters: https://www.pittsboronc.gov/
N.C. Department of Transportation/PublicInput, U.S. 15-501 Pittsboro project R-5724: https://www.publicinput.com/
Chatham County GIS/Open Data, Pittsboro zoning data: https://opendata-chathamncgis.opendata.arcgis.com/