<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1nI7n7_1EyL99Uf00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1nI7n7_1EyL99Uf00" width="1200" height="900" ></figure>The Chatham Mills property in Pittsboro is under new ownership.Local entrepreneur Chris Ehrenfeld — the owner and CEO of BOLD Companies — purchased the 28-acre property off Hillsboro Street on September 3, which have operated as a retail center since 1997. He also bought a 3.64 acre property directly to the north of the mill site from Tom Roberts, the former Chatham Mills owner, for a total sale of nearly $12 million.A release from BOLD on Friday said the acquisition aims to be another step forward for Ehrenfeld’s investment into the Chatham County community while positioning the site “for its next chapter.”“This property has been a passion for Tom for nearly three decades,” Ehrenfeld said. “Tom had a tremendous amount of interest when he decided he wanted to sell the property. I am honored that he selected me to carry on his legacy of continuing to improve this beautiful property,”Friday’s announcement said BOLD Commercial Real Estate will now lead the leasing efforts for Chatham Mills, which will consist of working to retain and support the current tenants. The main building is known for Chatham Marketplace, the grocery co-op, but is also home to The Sycamore restaurant, the drug development research company Xyzagen, and five other businesses. It also hosts the weekly Chatham Mills Farmers Market from April through October and the event space Forest Hall.Ehrenfeld’s vision, he said, is to bring in new commercial partners that “complement the character of Chatham Mills and the continued growth of Pittsboro and Chatham County.”“Our first goal is to preserve and improve what is already here,” he said. “We have a nice mix of tenants currently and about 25,000 square feet to fill. We intend to get that space occupied, which will bring more life and energy to the property. We have been very encouraged by the level of interest we have in the space already, just from word of mouth.”With the purchase of the 560 Thomas Mill Drive parcel and undeveloped land on the Chatham Mills parcel, Ehrenfeld also foreshadowed looking to bring even more commercial opportunity to the site — which sits less than a mile north of historic downtown Pittsboro and The Circle. As the town government continues to prepare for population growth and development to its east from Chatham Park, it is also seeking to generate more economic development opportunities within the downtown footprint.“In the years ahead, we will certainly look to develop more of the property,” Ehrenfeld said of positioning Chatham Mills as part of those efforts. “It has so much potential. It is rare to have this much undeveloped land in the town center of a booming town like Pittsboro. We’re excited to see the whole area transform in the years ahead.“Chatham Mills is already an important part of Pittsboro, and that is what made this opportunity so exciting,” he added. “We want to build on what is already here, support the businesses that call Chatham Mills home and create opportunities for businesses that will contribute to the property and the surrounding community.”In addition to being a Chatham County resident, Ehrenfeld operates several businesses headquartered in the community. He is the entrepreneur behind BOLD Construction — the builder team behind the Governors Club neighborhood — as well as BOLD’s real estate, commercial real estate, and nonprofit arms. Some of those are headquartered in the BOLD Building in the Governors Village shopping center, which is also part of his investment portfolio. Ehrenfeld also owns the 501 Landing shopping center off U.S. 15-501, which BOLD reported reaching full occupancy in August 2025, as well as several residential developments in northeastern Chatham County.Chatham Mills first began operations in 1925, founded by A.C. Kluge of New York. Its product was woven labels for clothing, at one point becoming the world’s largest woven label mill with a staff of more than 200 mill workers and features more than 180 looms. The mill closed in 1997 and was subsequently bought by Roberts, who then converted the mill buildings into commercial space.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=44GbeZ_1EyL99Uf00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=44GbeZ_1EyL99Uf00" width="1200" height="900" ><figcaption>(Photo via BOLD Companies.)</figcaption></figure>Editor’s Note: Chris Ehrenfeld is a majority owner of the Chapel Hill Media Group. This article was reported without bias and is not sponsored content, as it is separate from the media group’s advertising agreements with BOLD Companies.Featured photo via BOLD Commercial Real Estate.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.</div></body>

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The Chatham Mills property in Pittsboro is under new ownership. Local entrepreneur Chris Ehrenfeld — the owner and CEO of BOLD Companies — purchased the 28-acre property off Hillsboro Street on September 3, which have operated as a retail center since 1997. He also bought a 3.64 acre property directly to the north of the mill site from Tom Roberts, the former Chatham Mills owner, for a total sale of nearly $12 million.

‘So Much Potential’: Local Entrepreneur Chris Ehrenfeld Purchases Chatham Mills Property

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The Chatham Mills property in Pittsboro is under new ownership. Local entrepreneur Chris Ehrenfeld — the owner and CEO of BOLD Companies — purchased the 28

‘So Much Potential’: Local Entrepreneur Chris Ehrenfeld Purchases Chatham Mills Property

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