Simi water business copes with death of patriarch

Legacy of the "Water Man"

Simi family hopes to rebuild father's water/solar ...

While traveling in Israel in the 1970s, George Wight learned about a technique for distilling water that was powered by the heat of the sun.

Wight brought the solar technique back to Simi Valley, the city where his family lived and operated a health food store, which became the first retail water store in Southern California.

Wight knew so much about distilling water that he became affectionately known as the “water man” in Simi Valley, and he continued to run The Environmental Store, at 6671 Santa Susana Pass Road, until his death last fall at the age of 83.

His 80-year-old wife, Luella, and two of their sons, Darrel and Roger, are contemplating the future of the store that George Wight made into a landmark in one of the oldest parts of the city.

“We’ve done a lot here. We’ve got a lot to do. We can’t give up now,” Luella Wight said.

The original health food store, which was called Ye Olde Mill, sold such items as dried food and nuts, honey, sandwiches and herbs. Luella Wight said demand for the store’s steam-distilled water was so great that it became the focus of their sales after a fire destroyed most of the store in 1991.

“The business grew like crazy because of health-conscious people looking for quality water that they could drink without chemicals and also store for emergencies,” she said.

The store also showcases large commercial to home-size distillers, and sells and services air purifiers. It also sells other environmentally friendly products such as shower filters.

The family said business was doing well until about five years ago, when age caught up to George Wight, who started to slow down and stopped advertising the business. The family is concerned about the store’s future without George, the lifeblood of the business.

His friendly and engaging personality was often noted by customers as being the biggest draw to the store. They would come and talk to him for hours. He once taught water seminars at the store, using his science background to teach customers about the hydrologic cycle and the benefits of pure water.

His death in October has been especially hard for son Darrel, who continues to run the store despite his own 15-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Roger Wight, who used to work in construction, said it’s a challenge to take over for his father, who knew the water pump system that has to be tested and licensed by the state. He also said keeping in touch with his father’s regular customers has been somewhat challenging.

“We’ve got big shoes to fill. He was a one-man show. He really understood water,” Roger Wight said.

Darrel Wight said the poor economy also has hurt the business, though the store’s cheaper prices should be an asset to customers. Filtered water goes for 50 cents a gallon, or $2.50 for five gallons. Steam-distilled goes for 70 cents a gallon, or $3.50 for five gallons.

Les Soper, a Simi Valley resident, said he has been a customer for many years because of the value.

“It’s very hard to get this kind of pure water in regular stores, and if they sell it, it’s at a very high price. It just tastes better,” Soper said.

He also enjoys going to a store that has survived on the Santa Susana Pass.

“It’s a pleasant place to come to,” Soper said. “I’ll miss this place if they ever close up.”