From accountants to startups, here are Columbus' Best of Business winners for 2021

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

CATEGORY: EDUCATION

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

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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

CATEGORY: FOOD & BEVERAGE

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

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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

CATEGORY: LEGAL

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