Cunningham Restaurant Group brings farm-to-table restaurant to Discovery Park District at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A unique culinary destination will be coming to the Discovery Park District at Purdue with the Cunningham Restaurant Group (CRG) announcement of a new, farm-to-table restaurant that will be housed in a historic barn slated to be revitalized as a future community hub. 

The restaurant will occupy part of the planned 10,600-square-foot, multi-use building located between Airport Road and McCutcheon Drive just off Mitch Daniels Boulevard. While the menu is still being developed, it will highlight CRG’s commitment to “local is best” and unforgettable guest dining experiences. CRG also brought Bru Burger Bar to downtown Lafayette in 2019.

“We are excited to be a part of this project in bringing farm-to-table to both a restaurant and private dining venue. The partnership the Purdue Agriculture program will be a perfect fit connecting us to local sourcing. We look forward to introducing a new concept to serve the Greater Lafayette community,” said Mike Cunningham, founder and CEO of Cunningham Restaurant Group.

The new facility — including restaurant, retail and event space — will be constructed using a century-old barn donated by Sonny Beck, CEO of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, and the Beck family. Construction will keep the character and feel of the historic barn while providing the modern structure and amenities needed for a high-capacity hospitality space.

“We as a family wanted to give something back to Purdue and we thought the Beck Barn would be particularly useful as a bridge between Indiana history, Purdue University and their future development together,” Beck said. “We’re excited to work with the Cunningham Restaurant Group to develop this icon within the Discovery Park District.”

A rendering of the future multiuse Beck Barn slated for construction in the Discovery Park District at Purdue. (Image provided by DELV Design) Download image

The development is part of a larger effort to fully realize the district’s master plan and will anchor an upgrade of surrounding Squirrel Park. With high sustainability aspirations and expansive green space surroundings, the project aims to set a new precedent for what hospitality spaces can offer alongside a university setting.

“From the very beginning, we’ve had the vision of creating a welcoming place to live, work, learn and play,” said Jeremy Slater, vice president of capital projects and facilities at Purdue Research Foundation. “We’re looking forward to our vision coming to life for the Greater Lafayette community with the new restaurant in the iconic Beck Barn.”

To learn more about the Beck Barn gathering space and follow along with future updates, visit the Discovery Park District website.

About Beck’s Hybrids

Beck’s — Farmers At Heart® — revolutionized the customer seed-buying experience by remaining true to a foundation built on faith, family and farming. Founded in 1937, Beck’s appreciates the farmers who have helped them become the largest family-owned retail seed company and the third-largest seed brand in the United States. The Beck family is now in its fifth generation working in the business to honor God and help farmers succeed. The Beck family and team of employees help farmers achieve success from generation to generation through authentic customer experiences, product diversity, seed quality and performance. With a home office located in Atlanta, Ind., Beck’s serves farmers throughout the Midwest and Mid-South with 19 regional locations. For more information about Beck’s, visit http://www.beckshybrids.com/. Follow Beck’s on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

About Cunningham Restaurant Group

Since 1997 Cunningham Restaurant Group (CRG) has been committed to creating unforgettable dining experiences. CRG owns and operates locations in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. Visit www.crgdining.com to see all its locations, make reservations or explore private dining opportunities.

About Purdue Research Foundation

Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Established in 1930, the foundation accepts gifts; administers trusts; funds scholarships and grants; acquires and sells property; protects and licenses Purdue's intellectual property; and supports creating Purdue-connected startups on behalf of Purdue. The foundation operates Purdue Innovates, which includes the Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization, Incubator, Startup Foundry and Purdue Ventures. The foundation manages the Purdue Research Park, Discovery Park District, Purdue Technology Centers and Purdue for Life Foundation.

For more information on licensing a Purdue innovation, contact the Office of Technology Commercialization at otcip@prf.org. For more information about involvement and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact Purdue Innovates at purdueinnovates@prf.org.

Writer/Media contact: Polly Barks, phbarks@prf.org