The long-time island favorite cream shop Bubbies will be closing its University store Oct. 20 after 30 years because its lease at the Varsity Center has ended, according owner Keith Robbins.

The closing was announced in a newspaper advertisement in today’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 manufactured, one flavor at a time, in the rear of the store.

Choosing the name was no problem. Keith 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.