— — When life hands you lemons, make custard.

While life didn’t quite hand Ron and Barb LaBruna anything worthy of more than a brief pucker, when Ron was laid off from his manufacturing job in 2009, plans started for what as of Friday is downtown North Tonawanda’s only dedicated ice cream and custard parlor — Canalside Creamery.

“He mentioned it and I said, ‘let’s do it,’ let’s take advantage of the Riviera and Canal Fest and the concerts,” Barb LaBruna said of the couple’s new business venture at 92 Webster St., now offering “premium” custard and a starting menu including more than 15 flavors of Perry’s ice cream.

“There’s nothing around here and everybody loves ice cream. It’s a win-win for us and the public,” she said.

And that includes anyone roaming Webster Street during a concert or show at the Riviera, since the pair are open every day from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and later during any well attended event. Add to that the LaBruna’s stated plan to open between March 20 and at least Nov. 1st, and the area is ready to give almost any nearby ice cream shop a run.

The building was recently purchased by Jay Soemann of next-door Walker Bros., Monroe Jewelers, from longtime local attorney Roger Niemal, who recently retired. An apartment on the top floor will also be ready to rent sometime over the summer.

In the case of Canalside Creamery, the renovations were ultimately spurred by Soemann’s recent purchase of the building adjacent to his shop — the oldest on the street — and represents about $200,000 in investment including purchasing the building.

While Barb said she has to recommend the premium grade custard from Perry’s (yes there are distinct grades), 15-year-old Sarah Bailey, who started slinging scoops on Friday, said the “Superhero” flavor is a rare wonder.

“I’d never had it. It’s delicious — it tastes like Trix, the cereal,” she said.

In addition to the flavors already offered, an entire separate cooler is waiting to be filled with suggestions by customers on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning the first customers to stop by hold sway on exactly what will ultimately be available.

“Whatever the public wants,” said Ron LaBruna, whose mother owned the former Sweet Marie’s candy store on Payne Avenue in the 1970s, where custard was served.

With renovations by the family-run North Tonawanda contractor Fedeson & Son as well as family friend Chuck Page volunteering to build the store’s custom counters, the LaBruna’s have a list of people to thank for making their dream a reality.

High on that list is Dinene Zaleski of the Small Business Development Center at Niagara Community College and the Lumber City Development Corp.

Barb LaBruna credited low interest loans and free help building a detailed business plan for bringing the new store to fruition.

Low and fat-free offerings are on their way, as well as a signature soft ice cream and candy mixture similar to a “Flurry” that, creatively, will be dubbed a “Canal Fury” when it hits the menu in the coming weeks.

Specialty sundaes are also on their way, in addition to the ice cream, custard and frozen yogurt already forming a long list behind the counter.

Barb said Nestors diner, next door, is getting out of the ice cream/custard business and has begun referring customers their way.

In fact, the support from other business owners along the street is becoming something of a legend in that regard.

“The first day every one of them was here, they just love it,” she said.

Seven employees, all local teens learning the ropes, are already working rotating shifts to staff the parlor’s extensive business hours.

A grand opening is set for June 22.

Contact reporter Neale Gulley