This is a TENATIVE list of categories for Simply the Best 2026. Categories may be added or removed prior to the start of the competition, January 1, 2026.
Automotive
Auto Customization
Auto Dealer (New Domestic)
Auto Dealer (New Import)
Auto Dealer (Preowned/Used)
Auto Detailer
Auto Express Services
Auto Repair Shop
Auto Salesperson
Auto Service by a Dealer
Car Wash
Business & Financial
Accounting Firm
Bank
Credit Union
Financial Consultant
Financial Planning Company (1 Location)
Financial Planning Company (2+ Locations)
Hospice Care
Insurance Agency
Investment/Estate Planning Company
Mortgage Company
Promotional Services
Specialty Service (w/o a Category)
Staffing Agency/Services
Travel Agency
Business Excellence
Customer Values – Large Business
Customer Values – Medium Business
Customer Values – Small Business
Family Owned Business
Local Online or Home Business
Minority Owned Business
New Business
One Man Operation
Place to Work (1 to 10 Employees)
Place to Work (101+ Employees)
Place to Work (11-20 Employees)
Place to Work (21-50 Employees)
Place to Work (51 to 100 Employees)
Veteran Owned Business
Woman Owned Business
Dental
Cosmetic Dental Clinic
Dental Assistant
Dental Clinic – East Shore
Dental Clinic – West Shore
Dental Hygienist
General Dentist – East Shore
General Dentist – West Shore
Oral & Maxillofacial Clinic
Orthodontist Clinic
Pediatric Dental Clinic
Specialty Dentist
Dining – East/West
American Restaurant – East
American Restaurant – West
Camp Hill Dining
Downtown Harrisburg Dining
Harrisburg (Not Downtown)
Hershey/Hummelstown Dining
Lemoyne/New Cumberland Dining
Mechanicsburg Dining
Overall Dining – East
Overall Dining – West
West Shore Dining (Other locations)
Wings – East
Wings – West
Food & Drink
Bakery
Barbecue
Cake & Cupcakes
Coffee
Desserts
Happy Hour
Ice Cream
Local Brewery
Local Distillery
Local Pub
Place for a Craft Beer
Place for a Night Out
Sports Bar
Sweets & Treats (Candy, Chocolates, etc.)
Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly
Harrisburg Area Life
Animal Rescue or Charity
Child/Day Care Center
Community/Charity Event
Library
Museum or Historical Site
Nonprofit Organization
Place to Have Fun
Place to Spend a Day Off
Place to Take Kids
Place to Volunteer
Post-Secondary School (College, Trade, etc.)
Radio Personality
Radio Station
Senior Living (Retirement, Assisted Living, Long Term, Etc.)
TV Personality
TV Station
Health & Medical
Aesthetic Physician Office
Alternative Medical Specialist Clinic
Dance Studio
Eye Specialists (Lasik, Retina, Cataracts, etc.)
Fitness Center/Gym
General or Family Physician Clinic
Hearing Specialist
In-Home Health Care
Laser / Skin Care
Martial Arts
Medical Specialist Clinic (W/O A Category)
Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinic
Physical Therapist
Podiatry
Walk-In Urgent Care Facility
Yoga/Pilates/Barre Studio
Home & Legal Services
Bankruptcy Attorney
Business/Corporate Attorney
Criminal Defense Attorney
Divorce/Family Law Attorney
Estate Planning Attorney
Law Firm
Personal Injury Attorney
Real Estate Agency
Real Estate Agent (Broker/Team Leader)
Real Estate Agent (Individual)
Real Estate Inspections & Appraisals
Real Estate Services
Real Estate Team
Tax Attorney
Home Building
Architect Firm
Countertops & Cabinetry
Door & Window Company
Flooring Sales & Installation
Gutter Company
Home Builder / Developer
Interior Decor & Design
Kitchen &/or Bath Remodeling Company
Outdoor Home Construction Company
Remodeling Specialist
Renovations & Restoration Services
Roofing Company
Siding Company
Home Maintenance
Cleaning Service
Electrician
Heating & Air Conditioning Company
Home Improvement Specialist (w/o a category)
Home Repair / Handyman
Landscaping &/or Lawn Care
Painters
Pest Control
Plumber
Pool/Spa Service
Tree Service & Stump Removal
Personal Services
Barber Shop
Beauty/Hair Salon
Chiropractic Clinic
Counseling or Therapy Office
Day Spa
Facials
Hair Removal Services
Hair Stylist/Barber
Massage
Microneedling
Place That Helps You Lose Weight
Place to get Your Nails Done
Tattoo Parlor
Restaurants
Asian Food
Breakfast
Chef
Date Night Restaurant
Deli
Diner
European Restaurant
Food Truck
Latin American Restaurant
Lunch Spot
Pizza Place
Restaurant Service
Sandwich Place
Steakhouse
Takeout
Shopping
Antiques/Home Decor
Clothing Boutique
Farmers Market
Framer
Jewelry Store
Pet Boarding and/or Sitter
Pet Groomer
Pet Supply Store
Specialty Pet Store (w/o a category)
Specialty Store
Store for Kids
Supermarket/Grocery Store
Unique Gift Store
Veterinary Clinic
Wedding & Events
Birthday Party Services
Caterer
DJ Service
Event Coordinator
Event Venue
Local Band
Local Musician or Soloist
Photographer
Place to Shop for Your Wedding
Wedding Cakes
Wedding Florist/Decor
Wedding Planner