2026 Category Definitions

an organized singing group consisting mostly of adults, typically one that takes part in church services or performs regularly in public

a regularly planned event or series of events that are open to the public, whether free or ticketed. does not include fundraisers

a space dedicated to the display or sale of works of art

an organized group of non-professional performers (theatre, music, dance, etc.); does not include choral groups since “Youth Choir” and “Adult Choir” have their own categories

a business where people can go to take dance lessons

a food market at which local farmers sell fruit and vegetables and often meat, cheese, and bakery products directly to consumers

an event designed to raise awareness and donations for an organization’s mission

a holiday-themed event that has occurred in the last 18 months

2 or more musicians that perform together regularly in Moore County

a musician who performs by themselves/without a band, regularly, in Moore County. open to singers, instrumentalists, DJs, etc.

a space that is intended for use by various types of the performing arts, including dance, music and theatre; does not include bars/restaurants

a business that offers opportunities to create visual art

a non-profit organization, foundation, service club, etc. that focuses on giving back to animals; must have a 501(c)3 status

a non-profit organization, foundation, service club, etc. that focuses on giving back to the arts; must have a 501(c)3 status

a non-profit organization, foundation, service club, etc. that focuses on giving back to children; must have a 501(c)3 status

a non-profit organization, foundation, service club, etc. that focuses on giving back to the general community; must have a 501(c)3 status

a non-profit organization, foundation, service club, etc. that focuses on giving back to military; must have a 501(c)3 status

a non-profit organization, foundation, service club, etc. that focuses on giving back to seniors

an organized singing group consisting of children/teenagers that performs regularly in public

a business that specializes in the restoration or replacement of the working parts of cars, such as the engine and operational software

a business that specializes in car modification(s) that involve altering a vehicle’s appearance, performance or both.

an automotive service department within or attached to a car dealership

a business that offers car wash and/or auto detailing services

a business that provides on-site or off-site catering

a law firm that specializes in defense law

a business known for consistently delivering outstanding customer service and creating a welcoming, helpful and accommodating environment for customers

a law firm that specializes in estate planning

a business that organizes and manages estate sales

a business or a person employed to manage the personal finances of clients.

a business that sells and arranges cut flowers

a business that repairs or replaces damaged glass for vehicles, homes or commercial properties

a business offering insurance

a locally established business that has served Moore County for 20 years or more

a business that offers automobile transportation for hire

a business where at least 51% of the ownership, operation, and control is held by one or more minorities (such as Black, Hispanic, Asian-Pacific, Asian-Indian or Native American)

a new business that opened between May 2025-June 2026

a business that uses asphalt or concrete to build paths, parking lots, walkways and/or driveways

a law firm that specializes in personal injury law

a business that offers towing of motor vehicles

a business that helps individuals and groups plan and book travel

a business owned by a military veteran

a photographer for hire who specializes in photographing weddings

a venue that is available to use for wedding ceremonies

a business that specializes in planning and organizing weddings and/or other events

a business that is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled on a daily basis by one or more women

a restaurant that serves breakfast or brunch

a sit-down restaurant with a relaxed ambiance and an affordable menu

a restaurant that primarily serves Chinese food

a restaurant that is more sophisticated, unique and typically more expensive than casual dining

a portable restaurant where food is cooked on-site

a restaurant that primarily serves Indian food

a restaurant that primarily serves Italian food

a restaurant that primarily serves Japanese food or hibachi

a restaurant that serves lunch

a restaurant that primarily serves Mexican food

a restaurant that has opened between May 2025-June 2026

a bar or restaurant with a specific area for outdoor dining or drinking

a restaurant that serves seafood

a restaurant that serves sushi

a restaurant that serves Thai food

a restaurant with a focus on wine selection by the bottle or glass

a business that offers childcare for children aged 0-3 years

a dental office that sees children

a retail store that sells clothing or products for children/babies

an organized group of young people that is linked to and supported by to a local religious organization

a law firm that specializes in family law

a photographer for hire who specializes in lifestyle/family photoshoots.

a restaurant that is family friendly

a business or venue that is available to host children’s birthday parties

a business that specializes in helping children develop, improve, or regain cognitive, physical and motor function (does not include dentists)

a business that sells toys

any public playground

a school for children who are between 3-5 years of age

any grade school that runs independently from the local school district

a business or venue available to entertain children in rainy weather

a business that organizes a Santa sighting event

a camp providing recreational and/or athletic facilities for children during the summer vacation period

a community or area popular for trick-or-treating

an athletics club or sports association for children or teens

a store that sells new kitchen appliances

a business that offers domestic and commercial carpet and floor cleaning services

a business that offers custom woodworking

a business that installs and maintains electrical equipment

a business that offers solutions for floor surfaces, can include sales or installation, can be stand-alone or part of a larger store

a business that provides HVAC services that include new equipment, services and repairs

a property management company for single or multiple unit dwellings

a new homebuilding company

a business that sells a variety of home decor

a business that inspects homes before they’re sold

a business or person who is employed to decorate the inside of people’s houses

a business that offers interior and/or exterior residential painting services

a business that specializes in cabinetry for commercial and home application, including but not limited to bathroom and kitchens

a business that specializes in creating, designing, installing, and maintaining outdoor spaces

a business offering yard maintenance services such as mowing, aeration, seeding, weed control or tree and shrub care

a brokerage offering mortgage services

a business that deals with the regulation or management of a species defined as a pest that adversely impacts human activities

a business that installs and repairs the pipes and fittings of water supply, sanitation or heating systems

a business that uses pressurized water to clean the exterior surfaces of houses and/or pavement

a licensed residential Real Estate Agent or Realtor(R) that has bought or sold a home in Moore County in the last 12 months

a real estate company with an employing broker

a business that provides occasional or scheduled domestic cleaning services

a business that constructs or repairs roofs

a business that specializes in countertops for commercian and/or home application, including but not limited to kitchens and bathrooms

a business where bread and cakes are made and sold

a restaurant with BBQ on the menu

a restaurant that serves hamburgers

a restaurant that has a chicken sandwich on their regular menu

a restaurant or free-standing shop serving brewed coffee

a business where donuts are made and sold

a restaurant that has french fries on their regular menu

a restaurant that serves frozen treats; may include ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, frozen yogurt, frozen alcoholic drinks. etc.

a business that serves menu items that cater to dietary restrictions; may include vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, low calorie, high-protein, plant-based, etc.

a restaurant that serves hot dogs

a small-scale bakery business that may be operated out of someone’s home, commissary or ghost kitchen

a restaurant that serves pizza

a restaurant that serves soup

a restaurant that serves southern food

a restaurant that serves steak

a restaurant that serves subs or sandwiches

a restaurant that serves wings

a bar or restaurant that features live music

a bar or restaurant that serves beer

a business that mixes specialty cocktail drinks

a bar, restaurant, club or mobile venue that offers karaoke equipment so people can sing publicly

a local water activity spot used for recreation (swimming, kayaking, fishing, etc.)

a portable bar service that can be set up at various events like weddings, corporate gatherings, or festivals.

a bar, restaurant, club or mobile venue that offers a Non-Alcholic or Mocktail Menu

a business or location that offers outdoor recreational activity space

a bar, restaurant, club or mobile venue that offers a drink menu

a business that offers opportunities to practice golf. Not necessarily an outdoor course; can include a simulator, mini golf, putting green, etc.

a publicly accessible place within Moore County with a photogenic element

a unique business or attraction that people might visit for pleasure and interest

a theater or outdoor space where movies are shown for public entertainment; must be owned by a business or an organization (no home living rooms or back yards)

a golf course that is open to the general public

a bar where televised sporting events are shown

a business that hosts a regular trivia night event where patrons can compete against each other

a business that specializes in training dogs

a business that allows patrons to bring their dogs in to relax (not limited to service animals; does not include retailers)

a business that products for riding horses

a business that provides overnight boarding for domestic animals, in-home or on-site; can be part of a larger store

an event that is focused on animals, such as a fundraiser, fair, show, or sanctioned adoption event

a business that provides grooming for domestic animals, in-home or on-site; can be part of a larger store

a business that sells supplies for domestic pets

a veterinarian office or clinic

a store that specializes in antiques and/or collectibles; can be a vendor booth that sublets space at a larger store

a store that sells accessories such as belts, hats, scarves, purses and/or fashion jewelry

a store that sells lingerie

a store that sells clothing for women

a store that sells a wide variety of shoes for women

any licensed auto dealership that sells new vehicles

any shop that sells apparel on behalf of the original owner, who receives a portion or percentage of the selling price (furniture has a separate category on the ballot. )

a store that sells jewelry made of gold, silver, platinum, or other precious metals with or without gemstones or other semi-precious stones

a store that that sells new furniture and related accessories

a store that sells plants and related products

a retail store that specializes in curated, giftable items like home décor, candles, souvenirs and unique or local goods. (the shop must focus primarily on gifts — clothing-only stores or general retailers, such as department or grocery stores, are not eligible)

a store that primarily sells golfing equipment

a business that specializes in the sale and service of firearms and realted products

a store that sells items for the house and garden such as tools, nails and building supplies

a product made within Moore County by a local business; may include individually packaged food or drinks

a store that sells clothing for men

a store that sells pre-owned furniture

a business that sells pottery

a store whose retail items are largely based around a specific focus

a store with a window display

any resale shop that sells secondhand articles, especially clothes or furniture; the original owner does not receive compensation for sales. (Does not include boutique for women’s clothing, boutique for women’s shoes, boutique for accessories, furniture store, children’s/baby boutique etc. since these have their own categories)

a store that focuses on selling wine by the bottle or glass, rather than liquor or beer

a haircare business that specializes in shorter haircuts that require little styling between visits (usually men’s haircuts)

a standalone store that sells products that are CBD infused.

a practicioner or group focused on the system of integrative medicine based on the diagnosis and treatment of misalignments of the joints, especially those of the spinal column

a small gym that focuses on group exercise and specializes in one or two fitness areas

an individual or group that practices medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders

a business that specializes in skincare treatments such as steam, exfoliation, extraction, facials, peels, etc.

a medical practice that takes a root-cause, whole-body approach to health, focusing on areas like nutrition, hormones, gut health, and lifestyle. Typically operates outside of traditional insurance. Does not include conventional primary care, chiropractic care or physical therapy.

a dental practice responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patients’ oral health needs; children’s dentist are highlighted in an additional category under the “FAMILY” group

a gym or fitness center that is open for general use and not limited by a group exercise schedule

a business that specialize in providing treatments to remove unwanted hair from the body, such as laser hair removal, waxing, sugaring, threading, etc.

a haircare business that focuses on longer haircuts as well as the styling techniques and products needed to maintain them (usually women’s haircuts)

a practice focused on the sense of hearing

a business that provides in-home health care. Care that focuses on the palliation of a chronically ill, terminally ill or seriously ill patient’s pain and symptoms, and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs

a massage establishment

a spa that offers specialized treatments and cosmetic services and is under the supervision of a licensed physician

a haircare business that specializes in multicultural haircare/styling

a business that offers nail care services such as manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements

a medical practice that focuses on eye care and/or corrective lenses

a store where medicinal drugs are dispensed and sold

a practice offering medical treatment used to restore functional movements, such as standing, walking, and moving different body parts

a living center that may or may not provide nursing care, housekeeping and prepared meals as needed

an establishment offering health and beauty treatment through such means as steam baths, massage, or other

a business that creates permanent body art through tattooing

a standalone business that focuses on yoga