Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts is closing its McCully store Oct. 20 after 30 years because its lease at the Varsity Center has ended, according to owner Keith Robbins.

The closing was announced in an advertisement in Friday’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Robbins, in the ad, said the Hawaii Kai outlet will remain open.

“It is with a heavy heart that we have come to this decision but our company has transitioned from a retail establishment to being a world leader in the manufacture of mochi ice cream,” Robbins wrote.

On its website the company said Robbins opened the ice cream parlor on Coyne Street on March 25, 1985.

Robbins said his ice cream was made, one flavor at a time, in the rear of the store.

Choosing the name was no problem. Robbins gave his product the family nickname of the woman who first introduced him to ice cream, his grandmother.

“Esther was a very special person to me, and the love and respect I have for her is what drives us to produce a product suitable to honor her name. If I had been born in Hawaii, I would probably have called it Tutu’s Ice Cream.”

In 1989 Robbins opened a modern ice cream manufacturing plant in Aiea, at 99-930 Iwaena St.

Robbins said his company will continue to sell its ice cream products at retail outlets.