From accountants to startups, here are Columbus' Best of Business winners for 2021
Katy Smith
For the 14th year, Columbus CEO is recognizing the region’s best-in-class businesses.
The Best of Business poll shines a light on the insurance companies, restaurants, law firms, dentists, florists, educational institutions, orthopedists and so many more who have earned the admiration of the Columbus community.
It’s the magazine's longest-running and most far-reaching recognition program, as well as the only one in which readers get the final say. This year, readers weighed in on more than 80 categories. Here, we salute the top three vote-getters in each.
Want to add your company to the Columbus CEO Best of Business ballot next year? Add your company as a write-in when voting opens in February.
More questions? Email Katy Smith at ksmith@dispatch.com.
Without further ado, here are the 2021 Best of Business winners!
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CATEGORY: BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES
Ad Agency
Winner: Fahlgren Mortine
Runners-up:
2. Hart
3. Futurety
Architectural Firm
Winner: M+A Architects
Runners-up:
2. WSA
3. Moody Nolan
Automotive Services
Winner: Roush
Runners-up:
2. Safelite Autoglass
3. Byers
Commercial Data Center
Winner: Expedient
Runners-up:
2. Cologix
3. WeConnect
Energy Company
Winner: AEP
Runners-up:
2. Westerville Electric
3. Columbia Gas of Ohio
Energy industry:Charging station network grows to 14 utilities that go from Maine to Texas
Engineering Firm
Winner: Moody Engineering
Runners-up:
2. SMBH
3. Burgess & Niple
Graphic Design/Branding Agency
Winner: M+A Architects
Runners-up:
2. ZoCo Design
3. Fahlgren Mortine
HR Services
Winner: GO-HR
Runners-up:
2. HR Butler
3. VIVO Growth Partners
Information Technology
Winner: Revolution Group
Runners-up:
2. Leading EDJE
3. Fusion Alliance
Technology:Path Robotics CEO wants Columbus to be 'next big mecca' for robots
Insurance Brokerage
Winner: Bazemore-Abner Insurance Group
Runners-up:
2. Overmyer Hall
3. Insurance Agencies of Ohio
Insurance Company
Winner: Nationwide Insurance
Runners-up:
2. State Farm
3. Erie Insurance
Columbus insurance:Nationwide rolls out new package insuring those working from home
Internet Service Provider
Winner: Spectrum
Runners-up:
2. WOW
3. AT&T
Internet service:WOW! cable to leave Columbus, to be replaced by Atlantic Broadband
Logistics Provider
Winner: UPS
Runners-up:
2. FedEx
3. USPS
Manufacturing Company
Winner: Worthington Industries
Runners-up:
2. Honda of America Manufacturing
3. Rogue Fitness and T. Marzetti Co. (tie)
Mobile Phone Service Provider
Winner: Verizon
Runners-up:
2. AT&T
3. Sprint/Boost Mobile
Office Furniture
Winner: King Business Interiors
Runners-up:
2. Continental Office
3. RJE Business Interiors
Black Business Spotlight:Home office design tips from a Columbus expert
Printing Company
Winner: Baesman
Runners-up:
2. Hopkins Printing
3. West Camp Press
Public Relations Firm
Winner: Belle Communication
Runners-up:
2. FrazierHeiby
3. Fahlgren Mortine
Signage Company
Winner: Atchley Graphics
Runners-up:
2. Columbus Sign Co.
3. Coffman Media
Continuing Education Offerings
Winner: Ohio State University
Runners-up:
2. Columbus State Community College
3. Franklin University
Continuing education:Ohio Wesleyan's Lifelong Learning Institute gets older adults back in the classroom
MBA Program
Winner: OSU Fisher College of Business
Runners-up:
2. Franklin University
3. Ohio University
Private Schools (K-12)
Winner: Bishop Watterson High School
Runners-up:
2. Wellington School
3. Columbus Academy
CATEGORY: FINANCIAL
Accounting Firm (Up to 20 CPAs)
Winner: HW & Co.
Runners-up:
2. Lillie & Co.
3. Whalen & Co.
Accounting Firm (20-plus CPAs)
Winner: GBQ
Runners-up:
2. Clark Schaefer Hackett
3. Rea & Associates
Business Lender
Winner: Pathways Financial Credit Union
Runners-up:
2. Kemba Financial Credit Union
3. Heartland Bank
Business help:Opinion: Small businesses are underwater. Ohio needs to spend money on them instead of terrible vaccine incentive stunts
Commercial Mortgage Lender
Winner: Pathways Financial Credit Union
Runners-up:
2. Kemba Financial Credit Union
3. Heartland Bank
Credit Union
Winner: Pathways Financial Credit Union
Runners-up:
2. Kemba Financial Credit Union
3. BMI Federal Credit Union
Private Wealth Management
Winner: Pathways Financial Credit Union
Runners-up:
2. Kemba Financial Credit Union
3. Budros Ruhlin & Roe
Happy Hour
Winner: Condado Tacos
Runners-up:
2. Lindey’s
3. Marcella’s
Outdoor Dining
Winner: Lindey’s
Runners-up:
2. Milestone 229
3. Barcelona
Outdoor drinking and dining:Columbus aims for September opening of Arena District outdoor beverage area after council gives OK
Place to Entertain a Client
Winner: Lindey’s
Runners-up:
2. Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse
3. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
Power Breakfast
Winner: First Watch
Runners-up:
2. Northstar Café
3. Fox in the Snow
Power Lunch
Winner: Cap City Fine Diner and Bar
Runners-up:
2. Northstar Café
3. Lindey’s
Columbus restaurants:Looking for Columbus area restaurants near you? Here are places to try
Restaurant
Winner: Cap City Fine Diner and Bar
Runners-up:
2. The Top Steak House
3. City Barbeque
CATEGORY: HEALTH CARE
Cardiac Practice
Winner: OhioHealth Heart & Vascular Physicians
Runners-up:
2. Ohio State Heart and Vascular Center
3. Heart Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Dentistry Practice
Winner: Hutta & Price Orthodontics
Runners-up:
2. Dental Reflections Dublin
3. Dublin Dental Care
Columbus dentists:Columbus Monthly's 2020 Top Dentists
Dermatology and Skin Care
Winner: OSU Dermatology
Runners-up:
2. Central Ohio Skin & Cancer
3. Westerville Dermatology
Family Medical Practice
Winner: Central Ohio Primary Care
Runners-up:
2. OhioHealth Primary Care Physicians
3. OSU (all locations)
Columbus doctors:Columbus Monthly's Top Doctors in Columbus and Central Ohio for 2020
Hospital/Medical Center
Winner: OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital
Runners-up:
2. OSU Wexner Medical Center
3. Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Oncology Medical Practice
Winner: OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center, James Cancer Hospital
Runners-up:
2. Zangmeister Center
3. OhioHealth Bing Cancer Center
Orthopedic Practice & Sports Medicine
Winner: OrthoNeuro
Runners-up:
2. Orthopedic One
3. OSU Wexner Medical Center Orthopaedic Care
Physical Therapy Practice
Winner: OrthoNeuro
Runners-up:
2. Orthopedic One
3. OSU Sports Medicine
Business Law Firm
Winner: Vorys Sater Seymour & Pease
Runners-up:
2. Bricker & Eckler
3. Porter Wright
Family Law Firm
Winner: Einstein Law
Runners-up:
2. Grossman Law Offices
3. Carlile Patchen & Murphy
Labor & Employment Law Firm
Winner: Einstein Law
Runners-up:
2. Vorys Sater Seymour & Pease
3. Bricker & Eckler
Law Firm (Up to 50 attorneys)
Winner: Grossman Law Offices
Runners-up:
2. Carlile Patchen & Murphy
3. Barnes & Thornburg
Law Firm (50-plus attorneys)
Winner: Vorys Sater Seymour & Pease
Runners-up:
2. Bricker & Eckler
3. Ice Miller
Litigation Firm
Vorys Sater Seymour & Pease
Runners-up:
2. Grossman Law Offices
3. Bricker & Eckler
CATEGORY: MEETINGS & VISITORS
Attraction for Visitors
Winner: Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
Runners-up:
2. Franklin Park Conservatory
3. Ohio State athletic events
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Audiovisual Production
Winner: Mills James Productions
Runners-up:
2. Brainstorm Media
3. Live Technologies
Caterer
Winner: City BBQ Catering
Runners-up:
2. Freedom a la Cart Events
3. Cameron Mitchell Premier Events
Country Club
Winner: Scioto Country Club
Runners-up:
2. Muirfield Village Golf Club
3. New Albany Country Club
Meeting Space (Conference Center)
Winner: Greater Columbus Convention Center
Runners-up:
2. Hilton Columbus at Easton
3. The Exchange at Bridge Park
Private Golf Course
Winner: Muirfield Village Golf Club
Runners-up:
2. Scioto Country Club
3 New Albany Country Club
Public Golf Course
Winner: Golf Club of Dublin
Runners-up:
2. Safari Golf Club
3. Raymond Memorial Golf Course
Promotional Products Company
Winner: Artina Promotional Products
Runners-up:
2. Outreach Promotional Solutions
3. Leaderpromos
CATEGORY: PERSONAL PERKS
Auto Dealer
Winner: Roush Auto Group
Runners-up:
2. Byers Auto
3. Germain Motor Co. and Ricart Automotive Group (tie)
Executive Transportation
Winner: NetJets
Runners-up:
2. Lane Aviation
3. Classic Limousine
Fitness Facility
Winner: Planet Fitness
Runners-up:
2. Orange Theory
3. YMCA
Florist
Winner: Connells Maple Lee
Runners-up:
2. Oberers
3. North Market Blooms
Jeweler
Winner: Diamonds Direct
Runners-up:
2. Diamond Cellar
3. Worthington Jewelers
Private Flight Service
Winner: NetJets
Runners-up:
2. Lane Aviation
3. Wheels Up
Spa & Salon
Winner: Penzone Salons + Spas
Runners-up:
2. Kenneth’s Hair Salons and Day Spas
3. Woodhouse Day Spa
CATEGORY: REAL ESTATE
Commercial Developer
Winner: Kaufman Development
Runners-up:
2. Brexton Construction
3. Continental Realty
Commercial Interior Design Firm
Winner: M+A Architects
Runners-up:
2. WSA
3. Moody Nolan
Commercial Roofing Company
Winner: Feazel
Runners-up:
2. Able Roofing
3. Lifetime Quality Roofing and Storm Restoration
Custom Home Builder
Winner: 3 Pillar Homes
Runners-up:
2. Bob Webb Group
3. P&D Builders
General Contractor
Winner: Continental Building Co.
Runners-up:
2. Corna Kokosing
3. Brexton Construction
HVAC Company
Winner: Custom Air
Runners-up:
2. Columbus Worthington Air
3. Buckeye Heating and Cooling
Landscaper/Nursery
Winner: Oakland Nurseries
Runners-up:
2. Strader’s Nursery
3. Darwin Designs Landscaping
Real Estate Agency (Commercial)
Winner: HER Realtors
Runners-up:
2. Best Corporate Real Estate
3. Continental Realty
Real Estate Agency (Residential)
Winner: HER Realtors
Runners-up:
2. Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty
3. Capital Property Solutions
Residential (Multifamily Developer)
Winner: Kaufman Development
Runners-up:
2. Schottenstein Real Estate Group
3. M/I Homes
Retirement Community
Winner: Westerwood, formerly Friendship Village Columbus
Runners-up:
2. Kensington
3. Friendship Village of Dublin
CATEGORY: WORKFORCE
Employee Benefit Firm
Winner: McGohan Brabender
Runners-up:
2. Quantum Health
3. Oswald Companies
Employer (up to 500 employees)
Winner: Kemba Financial Credit Union
Runners-up:
2. Pathways Financial Credit Union
3. Roush Auto Group
Employer (500-plus employees)
Winner: Ohio State University
Runners-up:
2. OhioHealth
3. Safelite AutoGlass
Executive Coach Firm
Winner: Renogize Professional Coaching
Runners-up:
2. Mindset Change Coaching
3. Gallagher Consulting Group
Temporary Employment Agency
Winner: Dawson
Runners-up:
2. Acloche
3. Portfolio Creative
CATEGORY: BEST OF THE REST
Large Nonprofit (annual revenue over $7 million)
Winner: Bridgeway Academy
Runners-up:
2. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio
3. Mid-Ohio Food Collective
Small Nonprofit (annual revenue under $7 million)
Winner: Huckleberry House
Runners-up:
2. Habitat for Humanity-Greater Columbus
3. A Kid Again
Startup
Winner: Do Gooder
Runners-up:
2. Root Insurance
3. Prescribe FIT
Suburb to Do Business
Winner: City of Dublin
Runners-up:
2. Westerville
3. Hilliard
ksmith@dispatch.com
@katywatersmith