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The former East Boston Company that manufactures foul-weather gear and sports apparel, including warm-up outfits worn by New England Patriots Cheerleaders, has moved to Lynn.

CranBarry Inc. has leased 35,000 square feet of space in annex behind the Clock Tower Business Center on the Lynnway.

The growing business relocated its headquarters and approximately 75 employees from its previous venue, which was not as spacious."

The other building was badly laid out. This is a much better facility for our needs," said CranBarry owner John Vinton, who purchased the 50-year old company just over five years ago.

Vinton said the company was eager to move into the newly renovated Clock Tower site, adding that the deal offers an acceptable lease rate from a good landlord. The company signed a thirteen-year lease on the property at approximately $5 per square foot.

The brokerage firm Grubb & Ellis represented the sportswear company while Burgess Properties handled the deal for the landlord, Dean Foods of Dallas.
"We're actually sub-leasing a portion of the building from Dean Foods, which leases from a real estate trust that was formed for the old West Lynn Dairy property," said Vinton.

CranBarry was founded more than 50 years ago in Marblehead. It has forged a reputation by specializing in the design and manufacture of uniforms for college and high school sports teams and cheerleader squads, as well as warm-up outfits for retail sale.

Lacrosse, tennis and field hockey uniforms have been among its most popular items.The company also markets and distributes wooden-handle lacrosse sticks and lacrosse accessories under the CranBarry label.

Vinton, an Argentine native, has run several businesses, including the Colombo Yogurt Co. for eight years. " The company moved from Marblehead to East Boston in 1989 and now it's in Lynn, " he said of CranBarry, noting that nearly all of the employees have stayed on. "It's amazing, but we have 17 different nationalities represented among our employees.

According to Vinton, the company is the largest distributor of field hockey equipment in the country. CranBarry also makes varsity team jackets, and custom foul-weather clothing, the latter under the Atlantis Weather Gear label.
The marine environment apparel includes bib pants, off shore jackets and sou'wester hats.

The company catalog showcases its relationship with the Patriots cheerleaders.
"Part of our sponsorship deal is to have them come in and model for us," Vinton said. "They appear in our catalog.

For more information about the company visit the website www.CranBarry.com