Starting a new business brings excitement, anticipation and a small dose of risk. Just ask the Mazziotta family, who opened an ice cream shop next to its successful Pott’s Doggie Shop in the Cherry Square Shopping Center, Northampton.

Pott’s owners Mark, Ann and Bob Mazziotta expressed gratitude for the opportunity to provide the community with the ice cream parlor, appropriately named Konkrete Creamery. Bob’s daughter Gina Mazziotta serves as the manager of the shop, the only of its kind in the borough.

“Gina came up with the idea,” Mark said.

He noted the Subway sandwich shop, which was located next to Pott’s, had been closed for months.

The name is a nod to the Northampton Area School District’s Konkrete Kids mascot and the town’s cement heritage. According to Gina Mazziotta, the family had difficulty coming up with a name until her brother mentioned Konkrete Creamery. The rest, as they say, is history.

Since its official opening in early July, the shop has been a welcomed stop for residents of the borough and beyond.

“We’ve been open just under two months, and the response from the community has been wonderful,” Gina Mazziotta said. “We have been truly blessed.”

The large exterior sign features the shop’s name in the school district’s signature orange color. On entering, guests are greeted by bright colors on the walls with black trim and several framed photos. The tables around the perimeter are accompanied by light-brown terra-cotta flooring.

A large board on the wall identifies the flavors of hand-dipped and soft-serve ice cream offered as well as varieties of water ice, milkshakes and sundaes. The ice cream shop features the popular Leiby’s Ice Cream, based in Tamaqua.

As an additional treat, there are baked goods - cookies, brownies and Rice Krispie treats - for sale.

Gina Mazziotta said she has always enjoyed baking as a hobby and has been encouraged to take her efforts to a higher level.

“Through the encouragement of my family and friends, I was able to take advantage of this opportunity,” she said.

In addition to indoor seating, there are outdoor benches as well. Frozen to-go treats are also available.

Konkrete Creamery is open noon-10 p.m. seven days a week at 2430 Cherryville Road, Northampton.