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.

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