(FOX40.COM) — In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, FOX40 is highlighting several leaders and businesses in the community, including Mi Tiendita Munaycha, one of the only Peruvian shops in the Sacramento area.

“I wanted to keep my roots with my country, to keep my culture alive and, mostly, I wanted to extend the value of art,” Owner Jessy Flores said.

The shop imports its goods from Peru, including textile clothing, food, jewelry and art.

Flores was born in a small Andean town of Peru called Huachos. After coming to the United States in 2001, Flores dreamed of opening her own business. Today, she runs her shop alongside her daughters and takes great honor in sharing her Peruvian roots every day. For three years she has brought that love to the historic streets of Old Sacramento.

“In my opinion, they need to appreciate more about what people have to do for a living, because in Peru they do this for a living. For me, this is supposed to be for a living,” Flores said as she wiped tears from her eyes. “Yeah, sometimes I get so emotional.”

However, Flores said passion isn’t always enough to cover the bills with costs on the rise and less foot traffic. She recently made the difficult decision to close the shops’ Old Sacramento location.

“Even though it takes a lot of my time, a lot of my energy and things like that, I don’t feel totally disappointed,” Flores said.

While waves of gratitude and grief continue to come and go, both remind Flores how hard she worked to bring Peruvian culture to the capital city.

“It’s my baby. It’s my little baby that I put all my effort into, my love,” she said.

Just a few weeks ago, that passion was felt by a surprising customer, comedian Marcello Hernandez.

“He came to me and grabbed my hands, and he started singing,” Flores said.

In early September, Marcello stopped by to shop ahead of a scheduled show. Flores said they shared stories, and he purchased several goods from her shop. While reflecting on a bright moment in what’s been a stressful few weeks, Flores said she did not know who Marcello was prior to meeting him and that she was just happy to share stories and have someone support her small business.

“Mi Tiendita Munaycha is more than a business,” she said. “They can feel the love of Peru, the love of the people and how good our community is. We are reaching so many things; we are reaching so many things so even inviting them to have that little desire to go and visit Peru.”

While the video went viral and generated several customers, Flores said she still cannot afford to keep the current location open. However, the interaction was of value as it reminded her of the beautiful connection between culture and community. It’s a message she plans to carry with her at Mi Tiendita Munaycha’s next storefront, which will be located right next to a friend’s popular Peruvian restaurant.

“That door, when sometimes we feel like everything is closed and dark, I think Carmichael, that door, or that window is at least open and giving me some light and some hope,” Flores said.

Flores is trying to pack up goods at the Old Sacramento location but has been holding off with the hope that more people will stop by to shop before the doors close permanently. Mi Tiendita Munaycha is open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is located at 1119 2nd Street. She is offering several sales as she prepares to move.

In the coming weeks, people can still find Flores’ Peruvian goods at the Midtown Farmer’s Market or at her permanent shop in Carmichael located at 5825 Manzanita Ave. Unit 1. The shop is currently open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Tuesday’s 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The community can keep up with Mi Tiendita Munaycha on the shop’s official website or on Instagram.