In 1901, Lawrence Beck bought 80 acres of land in Atlanta, Indiana. Little did he know, he had planted the foundation of a family legacy that would shape Indiana agriculture for over a century. Today, thanks to his grandson, Lawrence “Sonny” Beck, the Beck name remains synonymous with agricultural innovation and Boilermaker spirit.
Purdue Research Foundation (PRF) and Cunningham Restaurant Group (CRG) have named the restaurant coming to the Discovery Park District at Purdue The Lawrence, a tribute to the family’s enduring impact on Indiana agriculture. Restaurant-goers in the district will enjoy a blend of Indiana history and modern dining while at The Lawrence, the second CRG restaurant in Greater Lafayette. (Bru Burger is the first.)
The farm-to-table restaurant will occupy part of the planned 10,600-square-foot, multi-use Beck Barn located between Airport Road and McCutcheon Drive just off Mitch Daniels Boulevard. The building is a century-old barn donated by Sonny Beck, CEO of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, and the Beck family, of which more than a dozen members have attended Purdue on the West Lafayette campus since 1929. Construction will keep the character and feel of the historic barn while providing a modern structure and amenities.
“We always start with the historic nature of the building we’re in. We need that connection,” said Mike Cunningham, founder and CEO of Cunningham Restaurant Group. “The PRF team sent us a list of 10 names and told us they had a favorite, but wouldn’t tell us which one. It turned out The Lawrence was everyone’s top. It was an easy call for us to jump on board and celebrate the Beck family.”
Further opportunity to honor the agricultural roots of the Beck family and Purdue University comes with proposed garden space surrounding Beck Barn. Cunningham said he hopes to be able to work with Purdue students to use the fresh, hyper-local food on The Lawrence’s chef-inspired menu.
Sonny Beck, who earned both a bachelor’s and master’s from Purdue University, wanted to give something back to Purdue and the Greater Lafayette community. “Our Beck family had always thought of this historic, beautiful barn as being a great place for a restaurant as development came our way in northern Hamilton County,” said Beck. “So when PRF asked if we knew of a large old barn to put in the park, we jumped at the chance to relocate it onto the Purdue campus.”
Jeremy Slater, vice president of capital projects and facilities at Purdue Research Foundation, said he anticipates The Lawrence to open by fall of 2025.
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 https://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 Office of Technology Commercialization and Incubator. The foundation manages Purdue Strategic Ventures, 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.
Media contact: Polly Barks, phbarks@prf.org
