Cougar Headquarters Celebrates 15 Years of Community and Spirit in Cranford

Cougar Headquarters marked 15 years of business in Cranford on August 27 with an anniversary celebration that brought the community together. The event featured photos with the Cougar mascot, refreshments, goodie bags, giveaways, and a raffle—a fitting tribute to a business that began during a hurricane and has become a fixture of local spirit wear and community support.

Donna and Scott Marino opened Cougar Headquarters on August 29, 2011, the same day Hurricane Irene rolled through Cranford. Rather than treat the storm as a setback, the Marinos turned the moment into purpose. They created "I Survived Irene" T-shirts and sold them online, raising $3,000 for Cranford Family Care in their first week—before most people even knew the store existed.

The business grew out of Panda Apparel, an online screen-printing operation the Marinos had already established. Donna Marino came from the wholesale menswear industry; Scott Marino worked in IT before joining retail. Together, they transformed that foundation into a full-service spirit wear operation that now serves schools, teams, businesses, and organizations across the region.

The production runs through a 12,000-square-foot facility in Springfield that handles screen printing, embroidery, and custom work. Over 15 years, the store has produced more than 1,000 Cranford varsity jackets—each one fitted with the same care Donna Marino brings to every customer experience.

"When you get a wedding dress or a tuxedo, you go in and you have a nice experience, a personal fitting. That's the kind of experience we want it to be for the parents and the student because they're so excited," Donna Marino said.

The business's longtime bestseller remains its classic Cougar T-shirt—a design that has endured while countless others have cycled through. But retail is only part of the story. "The screen printing is really our meat and potatoes. The store retail is a lot of fun, and it's become like a college bookstore," Donna Marino said.

Community support has been woven into the business from the beginning. Donna Marino donates to Project Home's annual Ladies Night Out fundraiser and contributes baskets to the Tricky Tray. The store serves as a drop-off location for donations. Lisa Orrico of Project Home noted Donna's consistent generosity: "Donna is always one of the first business owners to respond with a donation when we put out the call."

Julie Carroll of Cranford Family Care added, "She is always checking in to ask what we need and how she can help, whether it's organizing food drives, collecting items, or allowing Cougar HQ to serve as a convenient drop-off location for donations. Her generosity and commitment to giving back to our community mean so much."

Over 15 years, the Marinos have employed dozens of Cranford students starting their first jobs. Longtime managers Shaun DesRochers, RaeAnne Weavers, and Stefanie Winnick are part of the current team. Scott Marino is a fourth-generation Cranford resident; Donna Marino has lived in Cranford for more than 25 years.

During anniversary week, Cougar Headquarters offered 15% off purchases—a thank-you to the community that built the business.

"It's just a great way to thank the Cranford community for everything they've done. Because obviously it's because of them that we're here. I'm very proud to be here and to have this for the town," Donna Marino said.

Find more Cranford events, businesses, and local news on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: What is Cougar Headquarters in Cranford?
A: Cougar Headquarters is a family-owned spirit wear and screen-printing business founded by Donna and Scott Marino in 2011. The store sells Cranford spirit wear and creates custom apparel for local schools, teams, businesses, and organizations.

Q: When did Cougar Headquarters celebrate its 15th anniversary?
A: Cougar Headquarters held its 15th anniversary celebration on August 27, 2026. The event featured photos with the Cougar mascot, refreshments, goodie bags, giveaways, and a raffle.

Q: What happened on the day Cougar Headquarters opened?
A: Cougar Headquarters opened on August 29, 2011—the same day Hurricane Irene rolled through Cranford. Rather than treat the storm as a setback, the Marinos created and sold "I Survived Irene" T-shirts online, raising $3,000 for Cranford Family Care.

Q: How many varsity jackets has Cougar Headquarters produced?
A: Over 15 years, Cougar Headquarters has produced more than 1,000 Cranford varsity jackets.

Q: How does Cougar Headquarters give back to Cranford?
A: Cougar Headquarters donates to Project Home's Ladies Night Out fundraiser, contributes to the Tricky Tray, serves as a donation drop-off location, and has employed dozens of Cranford students over the years.

Q: What is the business's most popular item?
A: The classic Cougar T-shirt is the store's longtime bestseller. Donna Marino says it's a design that has endured while many others have cycled through.