Photo Credit: Breonny Lee
BY Taylor Adams Cogan
There’s a reason you’ll often hear someone say they’ve poured their blood, sweat, and tears into the streets of Deep Ellum: it’s a place that rewards dedication, welcoming the investment and returning it in ways that flourish.
Chances are, you’ve experienced the results of Dan Murry and his friend and business partner, Peter Novotny. The duo owns Armoury D.E. and Ruins, both of which reflect their deep connection to the neighborhood. Maybe it’s the savory, fried Hungarian flatbread you can’t stop craving on Elm Street, or the late-night burrito that always hits the spot on Commerce Street. Both spots share a few key traits: excellent food, skilled bartenders pouring balanced and intriguing cocktails, and distinct environments that feel like they belong in Deep Ellum, where all are welcome.
“It doesn’t matter what you look like, who you love, or what you do to pay your bills. The neighborhood and people that work down there will accept you and love you as long as you’re a genuine person,” Murry says. “We can make these physical insides of places look kind of neat, quirky, and homey, but that feeling of walking into a place and really feeling at home – that comes from the people that are in there working, and the patrons.”
Before opening Armoury D.E. in 2015, Murry and Novotny spent eight years bartending, hearing from regulars who urged – and sometimes outright threatened – them to open their own place.
“We called up pretty much everyone we knew and pleaded for money to make it happen,” Murry says.
Armoury D.E. took its name from an old stenciled sign on the brick wall inside. The intimate space became known for its craveable Hungarian dishes, offering something unique you couldn’t find anywhere else nearby. Several years later, the pair spent time in Oaxaca, which inspired them to open Ruins on Commerce Street. The menu, created by the same chef behind Armoury, celebrates the rich flavors of Mexico in an approachable way.
Each bar and restaurant owner has a distinct experience, even if they’re all in one neighborhood. Murry has his own perspective, having worked across different areas of Deep Ellum, where Commerce can feel like a different neighborhood than Elm. Not only is it worth celebrating Armoury approaching its 10-year mark, but it’s also inspiring to see a business owner continue to contribute across the district.
Murry acknowledges that the neighborhood has its challenges, from fluctuating waves of popularity to safety concerns. Still, he firmly believes in its resilience. “Deep Ellum gets a bad rap sometimes – people like to latch on to any violence that happens down here – but it’s no more dangerous than other neighborhoods. And if someone walks in and says, ‘Hey, there’s a creepy guy following me,’ I can guarantee that creepy guy won’t be following them anymore. It’s a neighborhood with a lot of safe places and a lot of history,” he says.
“Deep Ellum is where I spend the majority of my time. The neighborhood means a lot,” he says. “Deep Ellum goes in waves of up and down, and that’s to be expected with any entertainment district. It has its difficult times, but we have the responsibility to the neighborhood to keep chugging along, so that’s what we’re going to do.
“We’re always confident that Deep Ellum’s going to bounce back, and that’s what it’s going to do – she’s a quirky beast, that’s for sure. That’s what makes us special.”
