Our Story — From Brownsville Living to The Brownsville Guy

Back in February 2010, social media was still pretty new and there really wasn’t a central place online to find out what was happening around town. Most of what you could find about Brownsville on the internet leaned negative or just plain outdated. So we started a simple Facebook group called Brownsville Living. The idea was easy: highlight small businesses, share community events, talk about local culture, and shine a light on the good things happening here and across the Rio Grande Valley. Over time the posts, photos, and conversations grew into a real community. People shared restaurant tips, upcoming events, local history, and neighborhood news. What started as a small group slowly expanded into multiple pages and platforms, eventually reaching nearly 80,000 people combined.

By 2025, something interesting had happened — there were now lots of great local pages and creators doing similar positive community coverage. After 15 years, it felt like the right moment to evolve. In July 2025 we rebranded everything into The Brownsville Guy, focusing more on boots-on-the-ground community coverage and short-form videos that match how people watch and learn today. Since the rebrand, we’ve produced hundreds of videos, reached millions of views, and seen engagement grow across every platform. More importantly, we’ve seen more people discovering local businesses, attending events, and taking pride in the culture and history around them.

The mission hasn’t changed — only the format. The goal is still simple: celebrate our city, support the people who make it special, and help more folks see what many of us already know… Brownsville is a pretty great place to call home. And we’re just getting started.

Who I Am - The Brownsville Guy

The Brownsville Guy is led by Craig Grove — originally from Fort Worth, Texas — who made the move to Brownsville in 2006 and quickly saw something special in this community. With a background in media and broadcasting, Craig earned his degree in Radio, Television & Film from Sam Houston State University and spent time working in the TV and film industry, including movie production and a stint as a Production Assistant on Walker, Texas Ranger. Storytelling and community connection have always been part of his DNA. After moving to Brownsville, he entered the real estate world and eventually became the broker and owner of GRT Realty, now consistently one of the top locally owned brokerages in the region. Today, he still actively serves clients while supervising nearly 50 agents across the Rio Grande Valley.

Beyond business, Craig stays deeply involved in the community he covers. He serves on the United Way of Southern Cameron County Board, is Chairman of the Rancho Viejo Planning and Zoning Committee, and sits on the Gladys Porter Zoo Board. He is also an active member of the Brownsville/South Padre Island Board of REALTORS®, the Greater McAllen Area Board of REALTORS®, and the South Padre Island Board of REALTORS®. The Brownsville Guy isn’t just a camera and a page — it’s a neighbor who lives here, works here, volunteers here, and truly believes in the future of Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley.