By Gene Galin
Pittsboro, NC – In Chatham County, a quarter-mile stretch of asphalt on Main Street in the town of Goldston has long been the subject of local legend. For some, it’s a remnant of small-town America’s drag-racing past; for Mayor Johnathan Hensley, it’s one of many colorful threads in the fabric of Goldston’s history. Hensley — a lifelong resident, former SWAT team leader, and now restaurateur — has emerged as a passionate advocate for preserving Goldston’s charm while guiding it toward a sustainable future.
“I want people to come see us,” he says with a grin, “but I want them to go home.”
Behind the humor is a serious vision: a revitalized Goldston with a thriving downtown, local businesses, and enough economic stability to support generations to come — all without sacrificing the town’s close-knit feel. The mayor shared his thoughts with the folks at July’s Breakfast Club event at 79 Degrees West.
From Law Enforcement to Small Town Hall
Before stepping into public office, Hensley spent 15 years in the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, starting on patrol and moving into major crimes investigations. He rose to become a SWAT team leader, overseeing high-risk operations involving hostage situations, drug raids, and sensitive cases like child pornography investigations.
The work was intense, and the toll was personal. “PTSD is a real thing,” Hensley admits, recalling particularly difficult child death cases. “It just broke me.” Eventually, he decided it was time to step away from law enforcement.
He pivoted to running his family’s restaurant — Rufus’ — while also serving as a Goldston commissioner. When the mayor’s seat opened, Hensley stepped up. “Now,” he jokes, “I flip burgers for a living and run a town. I don’t know which is worse.”
Goldston: “48 Minutes from Everywhere”
Hensley often describes Goldston as “a diamond in the rough” — a quiet town of about 250 people, centrally located yet off the beaten path.
“We’re 48 minutes from Greensboro, 48 minutes to downtown Raleigh, 38 minutes to Southern Pines,” he explains. “We’re not the center of the county — we’re center-adjacent.”
Highway 421 passes right by town, and with U.S. 1 just four miles away, Goldston is accessible without being overrun by commuter traffic. “The worst traffic you’ll get here is getting stuck behind Billy on his tractor,” Hensley quips.
A Hallmark Movie Vision
Hensley’s development philosophy blends nostalgia with practicality. He envisions a Goldston that could pass for the set of a Hallmark Christmas movie — a quaint downtown lined with boutiques, coffee shops, bakeries, and family-run businesses.
But he’s also realistic: to support those storefronts, Goldston needs residents, and to keep taxes balanced, it needs light commercial and industrial growth. “Commercial and industrial bring more tax revenue than residential,” he says. “You have to have a little give and take.”
The goal is steady, thoughtful growth. “We don’t want big box stores or massive plants. But we could use a grocery store — right now we have to drive 18 minutes in any direction to get to one.”
The Budget Reality
If Hensley’s vision sounds idyllic, the numbers paint a more challenging picture. Goldston’s tax base is a fraction of nearby Siler City or Pittsboro, and major projects can strain resources quickly.
“Our new playground cost $178,000,” he says. “That’s two years of our budget, gone right out of the gate.”
Other priorities, like converting the local Scout building into a community center, are estimated at $90,000 — funds that must be raised through county assistance, state grants, and donations from local businesses.
Even with creative financing and help from state representative Robert Reeves, progress is slow. “Everything costs money,” Hensley says plainly, “and we don’t have the money.”
Events that Bring the Town Together
Despite its small size, Goldston has traditions that draw both residents and visitors.
- Goldston Old Fashion Day (First Saturday in October): A decades-old street festival organized by the Lions Club, featuring vendors, crafts, and local food.
- Christmas Parade (First Saturday in December): After one experiment with a nighttime event, the parade returned to its daytime roots following community feedback.
- Monthly Car Cruise-In (Second Saturday): A nod to Goldston’s car culture, attracting classic car owners and enthusiasts.
These events, along with community gatherings at Rufus’ or neighboring Lizzie’s restaurant, keep Goldston’s social life vibrant.
Selling the Goldston Experience
Hensley is clear about what Goldston needs most: small businesses. He lists breweries, bakeries, and coffee shops among his top wishes. “When you close your eyes and picture old-time America, that’s what I want Goldston to be,” he says.
Right now, the business district is modest — one gas station, one mechanic shop, a Dollar General, a fire safety equipment company, two restaurants, and a high-performance auto parts manufacturer, whose owner is a professional drag racer.
The rest is residential, with little available housing. That’s changing — ground was broken recently on a new subdivision — but Hensley wants to keep growth measured. “We’re family here,” he says. “We want our kids to have somewhere to go, and we want them to stay.”
The Main Street Quarter Mile
Ask Hensley about Goldston’s Main Street, and you’ll hear a mix of history and humor. In the 1960s and ’70s, it was the site of Friday night drag races, the perfect quarter-mile up to Pittsboro-Goldston Road.
“I buy a thousand-horsepower car and I’m vilified,” he laughs, “but my grandpa raced every weekend. That was ‘different,’ apparently.”
The racing days may be over — officially — but the pride in Goldston’s traditions remains. “We’ve always been a place where people come together,” he says.
Looking 20 Years Ahead
Hensley isn’t planning just for today. “If I’m thinking about now, I’m already behind,” he says. His vision extends 15–20 years, aiming for a Goldston that retains its personality while providing enough opportunity to keep families rooted.
That means:
- Building a more diverse economy.
- Expanding residential options without overdevelopment.
- Investing in community spaces.
- Attracting small, locally owned businesses that add character.
It also means marketing Goldston as a weekend destination — a place where people from Apex, Cary, or Raleigh can enjoy a Saturday morning before heading home.
Preserving the Past, Building the Future
Mayor Johnathan Hensley’s blend of humor, candor, and commitment makes him an unconventional but deeply invested leader. Goldston may be small, but in Hensley’s eyes, it has all the raw material to thrive: location, community spirit, and untapped potential.
The challenge now is to attract the right kind of growth — and the right kind of visitors — without losing what makes Goldston special. “We need people to come see us,” Hensley says, “but we want them to go home. Thank you for your business — come again, but don’t stay.”