The well has run dry for a prominent sparkling water brand—Crystal Geyser Water Company will close its operations permanently Jan. 31, the company informed employees last month. The Calistoga-based brand has been in business for nearly 48 years.
The company had weathered recent years of drought, but company spokespeople said in a Nov. 30 letter that competition from lower-priced sparkling water products and doubts around Crystal Geyser’s growth potential rendered the business financially unfeasible. The location’s 28 employees will be laid off along with the closure of its 501 Washington St. headquarters.
In 1990 Crystal Geyser was acquired by Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s parent company Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd., the parent company of Otsuka Pharmaceutical. In addition to sparkling water, the company also produces Tejava, ready-made teas out of Bakersfield. The Tejava bottling plant will remain open.
