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In 1999, at the turn of the millennium, “Believe” by Cher dominated the radio, “The Matrix” was playing in theaters and a mother-daughter duo was planning to open a business together in Helena, Alabama. Photos by Dawn Harrison.

In 1999, at the turn of the millennium, “Believe” by Cher dominated the radio, “The Matrix” was playing in theaters and a mother-daughter duo was planning to open a business together in Helena, Alabama.

Started by Laura and Becky Tate, Native Beach Tan is a family-owned tanning salon and clothing boutique celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

“When we first opened up, there were not very many businesses in Helena,” Laura said. “We’ve watched Helena grow and thrive. I’m glad that we decided to open our business up here in Helena where we live.”

According to Becky, the pair desired to build something from the ground up together and founded Native Beach Tan with just seven tanning beds.

“Laura and I wanted to open a business together to start something new,” Becky said.

The mother-daughter duo wanted to serve the community with a customer-driven business model.

“We’ve always just worked very well together and we knew we could offer this community top-quality customer service,” Laura said. “That’s what we strive to do.”

Current store manager Kathy shared that part of the reason the two work so well together is that they both genuinely love both Native Beach Tan, as well as every single person that walks through the doors.

“They are two of the biggest extroverts that you’ll ever meet in your life,” Kathy said. “Those two can talk until the cows come home and know how to do it well.”

Within the first year of opening, the business exploded, and soon they needed more help. Becky’s husband soon joined the effort, leaving his job as a sales manager at a Honda dealership.

With the growing team came growing services, and soon Native Beach Tan began to sell swimwear. Their swimsuit collection started small, but began to grow over time. According to Becky, it was a nice boost to sales, but only sold seasonally. Eventually, they had the idea to start selling clothing.

“I’m the buyer, so when we pick out the clothing, pricing is very important to me,” Becky said. “I don’t ever want something to be too expensive for anybody that may walk in. We want unique, price-friendly clothing for everybody.”

Native Beach Tan prides itself on carrying a collection of bohemian styles in a variety of sizes. From palazzo pants to summer dresses, the store has amassed a large collection of items.

In addition to an in store shopping experience, clothing from Native Beach Tan is also available online.

In the back hallway leading toward the tanning bed rooms, a map of North America is posted on the wall with multicolored pushpins marking all of the cities where Native Beach Tan has shipped orders.

And although the store is most known for tanning, online shopping for clothing immensely helped Native Beach Tan stay in business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think that we adapted very well through that climate of social change,” Kathy said. “We picked up some brand new friends online when they couldn’t do anything else but shop because they were sitting at home.”

COVID-19 was not the first time that Native Beach Tan has worked through difficult times. During the economic recession in 2008, the staff had to make a lot of changes to keep the store opening, including reducing their staff.

“It got to the point where hardly anybody was coming in, shopping or tanning,” Becky said. “Because the four of us were on payroll, I said one of us has to come off the payroll. Whoever finds another job first, that one salary for the year could get us through that hard time.”

The team all starting looking for other jobs, but it was Becky’s husband, Mike, who found one first. With his return to the work force, as well as a commitment to pull back on spending, Native Beach Tan survived the 2008 financial crisis.

For Laura, this experience solidified that a good team makes a lot of difference.

“(Longevity) has to do with who you work with,” Laura said. “I’m very lucky to be able to work side by side with my parents for all these years. They’re my best friends, and with Kathy, I’ve got my three best friends here. This is longevity. It’s who you work with.”

For the Tates, staff members like Kathy have become like members of the family.

“I call Kathy my second daughter,” Becky said. “She’s my daughter too.”

Because of all the time the group has spent together, Laura shared that her and Kathy almost share one mind.

“I’m so lucky to have a manager run our store like (Kathy) does,” Laura said. “She gives it her heart and soul, every bit of it. I couldn’t run this place without her.”

In addition to having a staff around you that you can rely on, Laura also believes that quality costumer service and relationship building is the key to Native Beach Tan’s longevity.

“Longevity is everything,” Laura said. “It’s treating your costumers like they’re the most important people in the world because they are. They’re the reason why we have food and a roof over our heads.”

This philosophy has resulted in Native Beach Tan having a dedicated clientele that have returned to the store time and time again over the last 25 years.

Clients like Laura Stevenson appreciate that the Native Beach Tan staff is always willing to do whatever it takes to improve your day.

“I can’t say enough good things about them,” Stevenson said. “I get tears like even talking about these people. They are family. The day I came in here after my daddy passed away, they grouped around me and hugged me. They are the best people.”

With such a glowing clientele, a strong online presence and customer service dedicated to making you smile, Native Beach Tan hopes to enjoy another wonderful 25 years in Helena.

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