Luna Nunez-Israel
Owner of Cuzco
Heart. Love. Passion. Those are the forces that brought Cuzco to life. For husband-and-wife duo Leo and Luna, blending the rich cultures of Brazil and Peru is an honor. As they approach Cuzco’s first anniversary, the Peruvian-Brazilian fine dining restaurant stands as a reflection of that shared vision. Together, they set out to create a place where guests could walk in and forget they were in Aberdeen - a space where you can enjoy an elevated, big-city dining experience without ever leaving town. From their Sunday brunches to thoughtfully curated monthly events, including special dinners for Valentine’s Weekend, Cuzco offers experiences that go beyond the plate. With catering already available and DoorDash coming soon, Cuzco continues to grow. But for Luna and Leo, it’s never been just about the restaurant; it’s about sharing a piece of who they are. Seeing that dream come to life, Luna says, has been nothing short of unbelievable.
Luna grew up in an entrepreneurial family, with both her mom and grandparents running their own businesses back home in Peru. As a young girl, she saw that and knew that she wanted it and was capable of building it for herself. When Luna immigrated to the United States, it felt like entering a completely different world. Thankfully, she found a new community at Northern State University. The Northern Innovation and Startup Center especially helped her build connections. She shares how the Idea to Market program helped her see business from a different perspective. She says, “I knew I had to learn, or I would be left in a corner, so I did.” She was willing to learn everything she could to thrive in this new community.
Luna worked in the restaurant industry for 10 years in Aberdeen. This experience helped her understand the gaps in the arena, and she set out to address them. She says the breakthrough lies in attention to detail. At Cuzco, every tiny detail matters. She explains that customers crave that kind of attention to detail, and that is what makes all the difference. Cuzco is meant to be a place where you go once and feel a pull to return, looking forward to the next event hosted there.
Community has always been central to Cuzco’s mission. Luna explains that she is grateful to be a part of this wonderful community, saying, “As we give to the community, we receive even more.” Cuzco has even entered the Aberdeen Burger Battle, and participation helped change the outlook of Cuzco. There is more to Cuzco than fine dining. It allowed people who had never tried Cuzco to get a taste of it. Based on the response to the Burger Battle, they are adding a lunch menu separate from their dinner menu. She says they want to give the community options they are familiar with. “Because when you like it, we LOVE it!”
What sets Luna apart is that she doesn’t do things halfway; she is insistent on giving her 110%. She shares that Peruvian cuisine is ranked #2 best cuisine in the world, so who doesn’t want a taste of it? There is no Peruvian cuisine anywhere near South Dakota; Cuzco is the first. You shouldn’t have to travel to experience Peruvian cuisine. Many people have never had it before, and they are loving it. They are also actively working on getting exposure. Recently, they held an event at the Aberdeen Public Library, reaching 90 people. That’s 90 more people who got a taste of Peru, says Luna.
Going from her first venture, Bella Housemaids, her former business, to Cuzco was a transition, but Luna says that every entrepreneurial experience she has had has always prepared her for the next project. You are constantly looking to learn more about your market and your business at large. She says defining your mission. “When you decide something, work towards it backwards.” Ask yourself, “What do I need to do to get there?”
She shares that building your dream means looking for the yes when there are plenty of no’s around. It’s persistence, the deliberate choice to keep going even when it is challenging. When things don’t go according to plan, ask yourself how you are going to pivot. She leaves us with something powerful: “Never give up on your dreams, trust your soul, your inner voice, be persistent, and always look for the yes!” She shares that what is meant for you will be yours, as long as you work for it. But if your dreams are fueled by inaction, then you are just daydreaming.
