Cunningham Restaurant Group to open farm-to-table restaurant in Purdue's Discovery Park

Staff Reports
·2 min read

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University announced a new partnership with the Cunningham Restaurant Group on Wednesday in the form of a new, farm-to-table restaurant that will be housed in a historic barn in the Discovery Park District slated to be revitalized as a future community hub.

According to a news release, the restaurant promises unforgettable guest dining experiences housed in 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 the restaurant’s commitment to “local is best,” according to the news release.

A rendering of the future multiuse Beck Barn slated for construction in the Discovery Park District at Purdue. The salvaged barn space will offer a farm-to-table restaurant established by the Cunningham Restaurant Group. (Image provided by DELV Design)
A rendering of the future multiuse Beck Barn slated for construction in the Discovery Park District at Purdue. The salvaged barn space will offer a farm-to-table restaurant established by the Cunningham Restaurant Group. (Image provided by DELV Design)

Cunningham Restaurant Group opened its first Tippecanoe County restaurant in 2019 after opening Bru Burger Bar in downtown Lafayette.

“We are excited to be a part of this project in bringing farm-to-table to both a restaurant and private dining venue," said Mike Cunningham, founder and CEO of Cunningham Restaurant Group. "The partnership (with) 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."

The new facility to be constructed using a century-old barn donated by Sonny Beck, CEO of Beck’s Superior Hybrids and member of the Purdue Board of Trustees since 2013, and the Beck family, will include restaurant, retail and event space, the release said. 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.”

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, the release said. 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.”

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Historic barn to be repurposed as farm-to-table restaurant at Purdue