Deep Ellum has always been more than a neighborhood—it’s a heartbeat of Dallas. Founded 152 years ago, the area has grown into a cultural hotspot with more than 100 bars and restaurants and over 25 live music venues. On any given night, locals and visitors alike can be found crowding its patios, stages, and sidewalks.
But lately, Deep Ellum’s vibrancy has been clouded by rising crime, disruptive construction, and a wave of closures. Many business owners say they’re feeling squeezed between the need for safety and the financial realities of running late-night establishments.
A Summer of Violence
This summer has been particularly difficult. Late-night violence between midnight and 3 a.m. has escalated to the point of tragedy. On July 5, a fight in a parking lot ended with five people shot and 22-year-old Caylen Fritz losing his life. Two other shootings in June also rocked the neighborhood, leaving another person dead.
In response, the City of Dallas imposed a weekend curfew three weeks ago. Streets now close at 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays—meant to control crowds but, for businesses, a devastating blow.
“Street closures will continue to be implemented on Friday and Saturday nights at 10 p.m. for the foreseeable future,” confirmed Jonathan Maner of Dallas Police Department Media Relations…