Jim-Jim’s Water-Ice will close in September after serving Austin for over 30 years. 

The establishment announced the closure in July through social media. Jim Moy, owner of Jim-Jim’s Water-Ice, said the decision to close came after the establishment celebrated its 30th anniversary and when he turned 60 years old last year. He wanted to spend more time with family and friends after dedicating most of his life to the store, Moy said. 

“I’m an optimistic person, but I had to face the fact that there’s more miles behind me than there are in front of me,” Moy said. “I want to make good use of the time that I have left.” 

Lily Jang, a former Jim-Jim’s employee and friend of the Moy family, started working there when she moved to Austin to attend UT. She felt excited that Moy brought water ice to Austin and that the closure was bittersweet, Jang said. 

“Jim-Jim is beloved by all,” Jang said. “His creations are truly one of a kind. It’s become such a tradition for so many families.” 

To Heather Moran, Jim-Jim’s is a staple. She visited the business when she was a teenager and later started working there. Although Moran no longer lives in Austin, she said her family visits Jim-Jim’s every time she is in town.

Moy said he tries to create good memories for the generations of people Jim-Jim’s serves, a quality that stands out from the business. 

“That’s why they’re so sad with the announcement of the closing of Jim-Jim’s,” Moy said. “The memories that it invokes, either from their childhood or with family or friends eating Jim-Jim’s. There’s something we’ve touched, something in there, in the fabric of their life.”