DRG Real Estate Blog

Why We Show Up for the North Loop — Every Earth Day
By Joe Grunnet, Founder of DRG

For the past 15+ years, I've called the North Loop not just the home of my business, but a place that's given me so much more — community, connection, and a sense of purpose.

Every Earth Day, we pause. We step outside the hustle of real estate, put down the phones, and give back to this neighborhood that’s helped shape who we are, both as individuals and as a company. It’s become a tradition at DRG to roll our sleeves and participate in the North Loop Clean-Up Day. It’s not just about picking up trash — it’s about showing up, year after year, for something bigger than ourselves.

And I never show up alone. Many of our staff and Realtos, my wife and kids, have joined me almost every year, and it’s one of my favorite things we do together. They get to see what it means to care for a community — to invest in the place you live and work, not just with money or business, but with time, sweat, and presence.

At DRG, we believe that real estate is about more than transactions. It's about being rooted, about people, and about place. This neighborhood has supported our growth, welcomed our clients, and made it possible for us to do what we love every single day. So, giving back—even in small ways like picking up a few bags of trash—feels not only right but necessary.

And once we’ve done the work, we continuously wrap it up at Cuzzy’s. There’s nothing better than a burger and a beer (root beer for the kids) with your team and your neighbors after a good day of doing good things.

If you’ve never come out with us, consider this your invitation. It’s messy, meaningful, and important.

Please join us next year, and for the next 15 years. Let’s keep showing up for this incredible neighborhood we all call home.

— Joe