Author Archives: Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Ricardo D. Cavazos is a Rio Grande Valley native and journalist who has worked as a reporter, editor and publisher at Texas newspapers. Cavazos formerly worked as a reporter and editorial writer at The Brownsville Herald, Dallas Times Herald, Corpus Christi Caller-Times and San Antonio Light. He served as editor of The Monitor in McAllen from 1991-1998 and from there served for 15 years as publisher at The Herald in Brownsville. Cavazos has been providing content for the Valley Business Report since 2018.

Local App Delivers Local Eats

Burgers are among the food items Ranvu delivers.

The grocery and restaurant meals delivery business has certainly grown to be hectic and ultra-competitive. In 2016, Ranvu was the first in the Rio Grande Valley to offer the delivery of groceries. Chief operating officer Dorance Cuba worked for months to develop a well-designed app high on functionality. He also made sure the app was easy for customers to use and maneuver. As a result of Ranvu’s early successes in 2016,…

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Mission EDC Thriving With Silva

Daniel Silva

Straight out of college and Daniel Silva was job hunting after earning a degree in computer information systems from then-University of Texas-Pan American. His job search then led to the Mission Economic Development Corporation at their former home at the Texas Sweet Building. He started as a project manager, a job that had little to nothing to do with computers. Then in late November 2018, after a 14-year climb, Sliva…

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Serrano Adds Boost to Weslaco EDC

Juan Jose Serrano, new EDC board member

The Weslaco Economic Development Corporation recently filled a vacancy on its board during a time when the city is experiencing robust growth and planning for additional development. Juan Jose Serrano was recently appointed by the City Commission. He fills the vacancy left as a result of the passing of businessman Rudy Cisneros. In his facility leader position as the H-E-B Retail Support Center in Weslaco, Serrano oversees 250 employees. The…

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All-American City Right Here in the RGV

Mission is one of only 20 finalists for the 2019 All-America City Award.

The City of Mission is at an elite level of American cities in becoming a finalist for the 2019 All-America City Award. Mission is one of 20 finalists which include cities from all parts of the United States. In addition, it is one of only five Texas cities in the running for the 10 winners to be chosen in June. Neighboring Edinburg, along with Houston, San Antonio and El Paso…

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Growth of a Spirited Business

To stay competitive, Holiday Wine and Liquor owner David Hernandez’s Rio Grande Valley business evolved from selling cold beer to a chain of full-service liquor stores. (VBR)

Fresh out of college at 23 years of age, David Hernandez saw an opportunity and then seized it. With $30,000 in hand from his relatives, Hernandez used it as seed money to open the first of what would become 12 Pop-A-Top stores in the Rio Grande Valley. The yellow stores with blue trim became ubiquitous across the region. “Coldest Beer In Town” was the Pop-A-Top signature line and Hernandez meant…

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Discovering Guilt-free Donuts

Sophiah Rodriguez turned her personal quest for better health into a business with Keto Mini Donuts. (VBR)

In the spring of 2018, Sophiah Rodriguez was worried about her health. She was in search of something that could change the way she felt. “My health was not where I wanted it to be,” said the Harlingen native, born-and-raised. She then settled on trying a ketogenic diet, which seeks to dramatically lower carbohydrates by eliminating grains, rice, beans, potatoes, sweets, milk and fruit. The keto diet lowers insulin levels…

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Local Humane Society Support Growing

(Courtesy Humane Society of Harlingen)

The Humane Society of Harlingen is looking forward to its annual Wine & Whiskers event – and this year’s event will hold special meaning. The March 30 fundraiser will honor the Humane Society’s founders – Marilyn White, Susan McCarthy, Laverne Hill and Dr. Marguerite DeWitt. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the TSTC Cultural Arts Center. It’s a sellout, a credit, in part, to the flurry of activity…

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Battle Born, Texas Made and On the Move

5x5 Brewing Co.'s Brunette Bombshell Limited 2018 Release is the brewery's first ever barrel-aged product. (Courtesy)

The “Battle Born, Texas Made” beers of the 5X5 Brewery Co. of Mission are now across South Texas with a variety of tastes from the Irish red to honey brown ale. In less than a year of operation, 5X5 has moved quickly in reaching 85 South Texas restaurants and bars. Their reach stretches from Rio Grande City to South Padre Island and north to Kingsville. The key, said Sean Downey,…

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Delegation Gears up for McAllen Day in Mexico

McAllen Convention Center (photo McAllen.net/City of McAllen)

The McAllen Convention and Visitors Bureau is gearing up for its annual McAllen Day in Mexico City on March 28. Organizing and making the event possible is a huge undertaking that involves city government, the Chamber of Commerce and La Plaza Mall. Delegates are also instrumental, including travel agents, tour operators and hotel representatives in promoting the city’s amenities and shopping opportunities. In all, it will be a delegation of…

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Warriors on the Move

Training For Warriors promotes group solidarity and camaraderie in its workouts.

The black-and-yellow of Training For Warriors of Harlingen has taken its fitness and nutrition program to a larger and new location. Bobby Muniz, a pharmacist and Harlingen school board member, owns and runs the program. Muniz has a passion for matching resistance training with the right kind of cardio exercises to improve the health and well-being of his clients. While training, he is also teaching them about nutrition. Muniz has moved…

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