MAY 2025 SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: THE OUTPOST

From pub roots to regional catering force: The Outpost named GLC's Small Business of the Month

In the early 2000s, Doug Cooper saw a gap—and an opportunity—in Greater Lafayette’s event scene. At the time, Cooper was running Sgt. Preston’s of the North, a popular downtown bar and grill. But it wasn’t the dine-in crowd that caught his eye—it was the increasing number of requests for food beyond the four walls of the restaurant.

So he started saying yes. First to small events. Then to larger ones. By April 2001, the side business had become something much bigger, and Doug made a move that would define the next chapter: he acquired a dedicated banquet facility and launched what would become The Outpost Catering.

Nearly a quarter-century later, The Outpost is no longer the quiet extension of a local pub. The award-winning, full-service catering company is capable of serving events with as few as 50 guests—or as many as 4,000. And it’s done so with a reputation built not only on quality food, but also on consistency, adaptability and professionalism.

Doug’s decision to pivot from an on-site kitchen to a robust off-site catering model proved prescient. The business now handles weddings, corporate functions, private parties and large-scale events with logistical precision and culinary range.

At the heart of the operation is a diverse and flexible menu—one that caters to both the traditional and the adventurous, with dietary accommodations built in. Equally important is the team behind the scenes, trained to handle everything from menu customization to full event logistics. Planning an event with The Outpost often feels less like hiring a vendor and more like onboarding a partner.

That partnership approach has made The Outpost an iconic name in the region’s hospitality space. For businesses looking to impress clients, for couples planning milestone moments and for organizers seeking efficiency at scale, The Outpost has become the go-to name. Its client list is long, and its reputation well-earned.

This month, we’re proud to recognize The Outpost Catering as our Small Business of the Month—a nod to more than 20 years of steady growth and community impact. It’s a business that scaled without losing its roots, evolved without losing its soul and continues to serve up memories.