By LAURA BROOKHART/Community columnist

Becky Tate and her daughter, Laura, will be heading to market again soon, but spring is arriving daily already at their store Native Beach Tan in the form of colorful swimwear in fashion-forward fabrics, cover-ups, new denim shorts and spring leggings.

“Winter brought us crazy leggings and tunic tops. Our adorable palazzo pants are a best-seller—many don’t require hemming, you just cut them off to the needed length,” Becky Tate said.

Nearby are maxi skirts, tie-dye maxi-dresses and dressy dresses and tunic tops with crochet-style trims that come with a detachable tank top. Laura points out one of most popular denim short styles with a mixed-beaded geometric design on the front.

“Women asked us for larger sizes, so we now stock those, as well.” Becky added.

Native Beach Tan began with 23 tanning beds and a few swimwear items in its former location by CVS. Becky says almost 300 people a day will visit the tanning beds during pre-spring and summer, their busiest seasons.

The Tates keep their Sunliner turbo beds and bronzing beds clean and no appointment is necessary. The tanning rooms are wheelchair accessible, too.

“We have customers who use tanning beds for Vitamin D deficiency, Psoriasis and (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Just 10 minutes in a tanning bed is helpful—the secret is short sessions, not lying there for hours. People tell us this is their therapy time to relax and clear their minds.”

Swedish and Neuromuscular therapy is available with two massage therapists. Susan Kennedy, with almost 30 years of experience, takes Monday appointments and offers Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, a very deep tissue massage.

Native Beach Tan is a family collaboration, with Becky’s husband, Mike, now a part of the business. Mike and Becky will celebrate their 45th anniversary this year. The two have known each other since they were just teenagers and attended their high school prom together. The Tates, originally from Oklahoma, have been in Alabama for 30 years.

“We totally enjoy our business, a good thing since we are here twelve hours a day. We have a great time and love our customers. We still look forward to coming to work everyday.”

For more information, visit Nativebeach.com.