Have questions about a category? Here’s how we define each category on the ballot.
| ADULT CHOIR | an organized singing group consisting mostly of adults, typically one that takes part in church services or performs regularly in public |
| ANNUAL FESTIVAL/COMMUNITY EVENT | a regularly planned event or series of events that are open to the public, whether free or ticketed. does not include fundraisers |
| ART GALLERY | a space dedicated to the display or sale of works of art |
| COMMUNITY/AMATEUR PERFORMING ARTS GROUP | an organized group of non-professional performers (theatre, music, dance, etc.) |
| DANCE STUDIO | a business where people can go to take dance lessons |
| FARMERS MARKET | a food market at which local farmers sell fruit and vegetables and often meat, cheese, and bakery products directly to consumers |
| FUNDRAISING EVENT | an event designed to raise awareness and donations for an organization’s mission |
| HOLIDAY EVENT | a holiday-themed event that has occurred in the last 18 months |
| KARAOKE VENUE | a bar, restaurant, club or mobile venue that offers karaoke equipment so people can sing publicly |
| LOCAL BAND | 2 or more musicians that perform together regularly in Moore County |
| LOCAL MUSICIAN (SOLO) | a musician who performs by themselves/without a band, regularly, in Moore County. open to singers, instrumentalists, DJs, etc. |
| PERFORMING ARTS VENUE | a space that is intended for use by various types of the performing arts, including dance, music and theatre; does not include bars/restaurants |
| PLACE TO GET CREATIVE | a business that offers opportunities to create visual art |
| PLACE TO GIVE YOUR TIME OR MONEY – animals | a non-profit organization, foundation, service club, etc. that focuses on giving back to animals; must have a 501(c)3 status |
| PLACE TO GIVE YOUR TIME OR MONEY – arts | a non-profit organization, foundation, service club, etc. that focuses on giving back to the arts; must have a 501(c)3 status |
| PLACE TO GIVE YOUR TIME OR MONEY – children | a non-profit organization, foundation, service club, etc. that focuses on giving back to children; must have a 501(c)3 status |
| PLACE TO GIVE YOUR TIME OR MONEY – community service | a non-profit organization, foundation, service club, etc. that focuses on giving back to the general community; must have a 501(c)3 status |
| PLACE TO GIVE YOUR TIME OR MONEY – military | a non-profit organization, foundation, service club, etc. that focuses on giving back to military; must have a 501(c)3 status |
| PLACE TO GIVE YOUR TIME OR MONEY – seniors | a non-profit organization, foundation, service club, etc. that focuses on giving back to seniors |
| PLACE TO PRACTICE YOUR GOLF SWING | a business that offers opportunities to practice golf. Not necessarily an outdoor course; can include a simulator, mini golf, putting green, etc. |
| PLACE TO TAKE A SELFIE | a publicly accessible place within Moore County with a photogenic element |
| PLACE TO TAKE A VISITOR | a unique business or attraction that people might visit for pleasure and interest |
| PLACE TO WATCH A MOVIE | 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) |
| POTTERY SHOP | a business that sells pottery |
| PUBLIC/SEMI-PRIVATE GOLF COURSE | a golf course that is open to the general public |
| TRIVIA NIGHT | a business that hosts a regular trivia night event where patrons can compete against each other |
| WEDDING VENUE | a venue that is available to use for wedding ceremonies |
| YOUTH CHOIR | an organized singing group consisting of children/teenagers that performs regularly in public |
| AUTO MECHANICAL REPAIR | a business that specializes in the restoration or replacement of the working parts of cars, such as the engine and operational software |
| AUTOMOTIVE CUSTOMIZATION | a business that specializes in car modification(s) that involve altering a vehicle’s appearance, performance or both. |
| BARBERSHOP | a haircare business that specializes in shorter haircuts that require little styling between visits (usually men’s haircuts) |
| CAR DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT | an automotive service department within or attached to a car dealership |
| CAR WASH/DETAILING | a business that offers car wash and/or auto detailing services |
| CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY | a law firm that specializes in defense law |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE / HOSPITALITY | a business known for consistently delivering outstanding customer service and creating a welcoming, helpful and accommodating environment for customers |
| ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY | a law firm that specializes in estate planning |
| FINANCIAL PLANNER | a business or a person employed to manage the personal finances of clients. |
| FLORIST | a business that sells and arranges cut flowers |
| HAIR REMOVAL | a business that specialize in providing treatments to remove unwanted hair from the body, such as laser hair removal, waxing, sugaring, threading, etc. |
| HAIR SALON | a haircare business that focuses on longer haircuts as well as the styling techniques and products needed to maintain them (usually women’s haircuts) |
| INSURANCE COMPANY | a business offering insurance |
| LIMO/CAR/SHUTTLE SERVICE | a business that offers automobile transportation for hire |
| MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS | 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) |
| MULTICULTURAL HAIR SALON | a haircare business that specializes in multicultural haircare/styling |
| NAIL SALON | a business that offers nail care services such as manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements |
| NEW BUSINESS (opened May 2024 – June 2025) | a new business that opened between May 2024-June 2025 |
| PAVING | a business that uses asphalt or concrete to build paths, parking lots, walkways and/or driveways |
| PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY | a law firm that specializes in personal injury law |
| TOWING SERVICE | a business that offers towing of motor vehicles |
| VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS | a business owned by a military veteran |
| WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | a photographer for hire who specializes in photographing weddings |
| WEDDING/EVENT PLANNER | a business that specializes in planning and organizing weddings and/or other events |
| WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS | a business that is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled on a daily basis by one or more women |
| CHILDCARE (infant – 3 years) | a business that offers childcare for children aged 0-3 years |
| CHILDREN’S DENTIST | a dental office that sees children |
| CHILDREN’S/BABY BOUTIQUE | a retail store that sells clothing or products for children/babies |
| CHURCH YOUTH GROUP | an organized group of young people that is linked to and supported by to a local religious organization |
| FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY | a law firm that specializes in family law |
| FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER | a photographer for hire who specializes in lifestyle/family photoshoots. |
| FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT | a restaurant that is family friendly |
| KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTY | a business or venue that is available to host children’s birthday parties |
| LOCAL WATER ACTIVITY SPOT | a local water activity spot used for recreation (swimming, kayaking, fishing, etc.) |
| OUTDOOR ACTIVITY | a business or location that offers outdoor recreational activity space |
| PEDIATRIC THERAPY SERVICE | a business that specializes in helping children develop, improve, or regain cognitive, physical and motor function (does not include dentists) |
| PLACE TO BUY TOYS | a business that sells toys |
| PLAYGROUND | any public playground |
| PRESCHOOL | a school for children who are between 3-5 years of age |
| PRIVATE OR CHARTER SCHOOL | any grade school that runs independently from the local school district |
| RAINY DAY ACTIVITY | a business or venue available to entertain children in rainy weather |
| SANTA SIGHTING | a business that organizes a Santa sighting event |
| SUMMER CAMP | a camp providing recreational and/or athletic facilities for children during the summer vacation period |
| TRICK-OR-TREATING | a community or area popular for trick-or-treating |
| YOUTH SPORTS CLUB | an athletics club or sports association for children or teens |
| AUTHENTIC PUB | a business, such as a tavern or bar, that is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages |
| BAKERY | a business where bread and cakes are made and sold |
| BAR OR RESTAURANT FOR LIVE ENTERTAINMENT | a bar or restaurant that features live music |
| BBQ | a restaurant with BBQ on the menu |
| BEER SELECTION | a bar or restaurant that serves beer |
| BREAKFAST/BRUNCH | a restaurant that serves breakfast or brunch |
| BURGER | a restaurant that serves hamburgers |
| CASUAL DINING | a sit-down restaurant with a relaxed ambiance and an affordable menu |
| CATERER | a business that provides on-site or off-site catering |
| CHEF | a chef working in a local restaurant |
| CHICKEN SANDWICH | a restaurant that has a chicken sandwich on their regular menu |
| CHINESE RESTAURANT | a restaurant that primarily serves Chinese food |
| COFFEE SHOP | a restaurant or free-standing shop serving brewed coffee |
| CRAFT/CREATIVE COCKTAILS | a business that mixes specialty cocktail drinks |
| DONUTS | a business where donuts are made and sold |
| FINE DINING | a restaurant that is more sophisticated, unique and typically more expensive than casual dining |
| FOOD TRUCK (based out of Moore County) | a portable restaurant where food is cooked on-site |
| FRENCH FRIES | a restaurant that has french fries on their regular menu |
| FROZEN TREATS | a restaurant that serves frozen treats; may include ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, frozen yogurt, frozen alcoholic drinks. etc. |
| HEALTH-FOCUSED MENU | a business that serves menu items that cater to dietary restrictions; may include vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, low calorie, high-protein, plant-based, etc. |
| HOT DOG | a restaurant that serves hot dogs |
| INDIAN RESTAURANT | a restaurant that primarily serves Indian food |
| ITALIAN RESTAURANT | a restaurant that primarily serves Italian food |
| JAPANESE/HIBACHI RESTAURANT | a restaurant that primarily serves Japanese food or hibachi |
| LOCAL BEER/CIDER | a locally made beer or cider |
| LUNCH | a restaurant that serves lunch |
| MEXICAN RESTAURANT | a restaurant that primarily serves Mexican food |
| MICRO-BAKERY | a small-scale bakery business that may be operated out of someone’s home, commissary or ghost kitchen |
| MOBILE BAR | a portable bar service that can be set up at various events like weddings, corporate gatherings, or festivals. |
| NEW RESTAURANT (opened May 2024 – June 2025) | a restaurant that has opened between May 2024-June 2025 |
| OUTDOOR SEATING | a bar or restaurant with a specific area for outdoor dining or drinking |
| PIZZA | a restaurant that serves pizza |
| SEAFOOD RESTAURANT | a restaurant that serves seafood |
| SOUP | a restaurant that serves soup |
| SOUTHERN FOOD | a restaurant that serves southern food |
| SPORTS BAR | a bar where televised sporting events are shown |
| STEAK | a restaurant that serves steak |
| SUB/SANDWICH SHOP | a restaurant that serves subs or sandwiches |
| SUSHI RESTAURANT | a restaurant that serves sushi |
| THAI RESTAURANT | a restaurant that serves Thai food |
| WINE MENU IN A RESTAURANT | a restaurant with a focus on wine selection by the bottle or glass |
| WINGS | a restaurant that serves wings |
| ALTERNATIVE THERAPY | a business that offers an alternative/holistic approach to health, such as acupuncture, reiki, cryotherapy, etc. (Does not include chiropractic care or physical therapy since these have their own categories) |
| CBD SHOP | a standalone store that sells products that are CBD infused. |
| CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE | 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 |
| CONCEPT FITNESS STUDIO | a small gym that focuses on group exercise and specializes in one or two fitness areas |
| DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE | an individual or group that practices medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders |
| FACIAL & SKINCARE SERVICES | a business that specializes in skincare treatments such as steam, exfoliation, extraction, facials, peels, etc. |
| GENERAL DENTISTRY PRACTICE | 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 |
| GYM | a gym or fitness center that is open for general use and not limited by a group exercise schedule |
| HEARING CARE FACILITY | a practice focused on the sense of hearing |
| HOME CARE SERVICE | 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 |
| MASSAGE | a massage establishment |
| MEDSPA | a spa that offers specialized treatments and cosmetic services and is under the supervision of a licensed physician |
| OPHTHALMOLOGY/OPTOMETRY PRACTICE | a medical practice that focuses on eye care and/or corrective lenses |
| PHARMACY | a store where medicinal drugs are dispensed and sold |
| PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE | a practice offering medical treatment used to restore functional movements, such as standing, walking, and moving different body parts |
| RETIREMENT/ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY | a living center that may or may not provide nursing care, housekeeping and prepared meals as needed |
| SPA | an establishment offering health and beauty treatment through such means as steam baths, massage, or other |
| YOGA STUDIO | a standalone business that focuses on yoga |
| APPLIANCE STORE | a store that sells new kitchen appliances |
| CARPET & RUG CLEANING | a business that offers domestic and commercial carpet and floor cleaning services |
| CUSTOM WOODWORKING | a business that offers custom woodworking |
| ELECTRICIAN | a business that installs and maintains electrical equipment |
| FLOORING COMPANY | a business that offers solutions for floor surfaces, can include sales or installation, can be stand-alone or part of a larger store |
| HEATING & AIR COMPANY | a business that provides HVAC services that include new equipment, services and repairs |
| HOME & VACATION RENTAL COMPANY | a property management company for single or multiple unit dwellings |
| HOME BUILDER | a new homebuilding company |
| HOME DECOR & INTERIOR DESIGN STORE | a business that sells a variety of home decor |
| HOME INSPECTOR | a business that inspects homes before they’re sold |
| INTERIOR DECORATOR | a business or person who is employed to decorate the inside of people’s houses |
| INTERIOR/EXTERIOR PAINTING | a business that offers interior and/or exterior residential painting services |
| KITCHEN & BATH CABINETRY COMPANY | a business that specializes in cabinetry for commercial and home application, including but not limited to bathroom and kitchens |
| LANDSCAPING COMPANY | a business that specializes in creating, designing, installing, and maintaining outdoor spaces |
| LAWN CARE SERVICE | a business offering yard maintenance services such as mowing, aeration, seeding, weed control or tree and shrub care |
| MORTGAGE COMPANY | a brokerage offering mortgage services |
| PEST CONTROL COMPANY | a business that deals with the regulation or management of a species defined as a pest that adversely impacts human activities |
| PLUMBER | a business that installs and repairs the pipes and fittings of water supply, sanitation or heating systems |
| PRESSURE WASHING | a business that uses pressurized water to clean the exterior surfaces of houses and/or pavement |
| REAL ESTATE AGENT | a licensed residential Real Estate Agent or Realtor(R) that has bought or sold a home in Moore County in the last 12 months |
| REAL ESTATE FIRM | a real estate company with an employing broker |
| RESIDENTIAL CLEANING COMPANY | a business that provides occasional or scheduled domestic cleaning services |
| ROOFING COMPANY | a business that constructs or repairs roofs |
| TILE & COUNTERTOPS STORE | a business that specializes in countertops for commercian and/or home application, including but not limited to kitchens and bathrooms |
| DOG TRAINING | a business that specializes in training dogs |
| DOG-FRIENDLY BUSINESS | a business that allows dogs (not limited to service animals) |
| EQUINE SUPPLY & TACK | a business that products for riding horses |
| PET BOARDING | a business that provides overnight boarding for domestic animals, in-home or on-site; can be part of a larger store |
| PET EVENT | an event that is focused on animals, such as a fundraiser, fair, show, or sanctioned adoption event |
| PET GROOMING | a business that provides grooming for domestic animals, in-home or on-site; can be part of a larger store |
| PET SUPPLY STORE | a business that sells supplies for domestic pets |
| VETERINARIAN PRACTICE | a veterinarian office or clinic |
| ANTIQUE STORE | a store that specializes in antiques and/or collectibles; can be a vendor booth that sublets space at a larger store |
| BOUTIQUE FOR ACCESSORIES | a store that sells accessories such as belts, hats, scarves, purses and/or fashion jewelry |
| BOUTIQUE FOR LINGERIE | a store that sells lingerie |
| BOUTIQUE FOR WOMEN’S CLOTHING | a store that sells clothing for women |
| BOUTIQUE FOR WOMEN’S SHOES | a store that sells a wide variety of shoes for women |
| CAR DEALERSHIP | any licensed auto dealership that sells new vehicles |
| CONSIGNMENT SHOP | 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. ) |
| FINE JEWELRY STORE | a store that sells jewelry made of gold, silver, platinum, or other precious metals with or without gemstones or other semi-precious stones |
| FURNITURE STORE | a store that that sells new furniture and related accessories |
| GARDENING STORE | a store that sells plants and related products |
| GIFT SHOP | 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) |
| GOLF SHOP | a store that primarily sells golfing equipment |
| GUN SHOP | a business that specializes in the sale and service of firearms and realted products |
| HARDWARE STORE | a store that sells items for the house and garden such as tools, nails and building supplies |
| LOCALLY MADE PRODUCT | a product made within Moore County by a local business; may include individually packaged food or drinks |
| MEN’S CLOTHIER | a store that sells clothing for men |
| PLACE TO BUY CONSIGNED/USED FURNITURE | a store that sells pre-owned furniture |
| SPECIALTY SHOP | a store whose retail items are largely based around a specific focus |
| STOREFRONT WINDOW DISPLAY | a store with a window display |
| THRIFT SHOP | 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) |
| WINE SHOP | a store that focuses on selling wine by the bottle or glass, rather than liquor or beer |