Topeka Community’s Choice Awards
Celebrate the best businesses and organizations in the area with the Topeka Community’s Choice Awards! We put the power in your hands, the local community, to nominate and vote for your favorite companies in more than 150 categories. From trendy hotspots to hidden gems, this awards program is your chance to shine a spotlight on the establishments that make the Topeka area stand out.
Winners are revealed at our exclusive awards gala and to the public following the event in a printed winners section and online. So, rally your friends, family and community, and let’s make this year’s program the best ever!
The Latest: The Topeka Community’s Choice Awards are back for 2025! Join us in celebrating your favorite local businesses and organizations. Nominations open on March 3.
How it Works
Each year, the Topeka Community’s Choice Awards recognizes over 450 businesses and organizations, all thanks to community involvement! Completely driven by public participation, the program begins with nominations and voting determines the finalists and winners in each category.
Nomination Round
- It all begins with nominations. In this round, the public submits area businesses and organizations for consideration in each category, up to once a day. Users who nominate their favorites in 25 or more categories will be entered to win a $250 gift card!
Voting Round
- After nominations, the top companies in each category move on to the voting round. Here, users can vote up to once a day for their favorites to determine the winners! Another $250 gift card is up for grabs for those who vote in 25 or more categories.
Winners Announced
- Once voting ends, excitement builds as we prepare to reveal the winners! At the awards gala, we announce the businesses and organizations that have earned the most votes in each category. Results are shared with the public after the event.
The Categories
There are more than 150 categories in the Topeka Community’s Choice Awards! This list has been curated to best represent the Topeka area. Nominate or vote in any or all of these categories during their respective period. Have a category suggestion? Complete the form at the bottom of this section.
Beauty & Health
Chiropractic Clinic
Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Center
Dental Clinic
Dermatology Clinic
Eye Care Clinic
Family Practice
Hair Salon
Hearing Aid/Hearing Specialist Center
Home Health Care Services
Hospice
Hospital/Medical Center
Medical Supply Store
Memory Care
Men’s Health Services
Nutrition/Vitamin/Supplement Store
Occupational Therapy Clinic
Orthodontic Clinic
Pain Management Clinic
Pediatric Clinic
Pediatric Dental Clinic
Personal Trainer
Pharmacy/Drug Store
Physical Therapy Clinic
Rehabilitation Facility
Spa/Medical Spa
Sports Medicine/Orthopedic Center
Tanning Salon
Urgent Care/Walk-In Clinic
Weight Loss Center
Women’s Health Services
Dining
All-Around Restaurant
Asian Food
Bakery
BBQ
Breakfast
Brunch
Buffet
Burger
Caterer/Catering Company
Curbside/Carry Out/Drive-Thru
Fine Dining
Food Truck
French Fries
Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/Frozen Custard
Local Coffee Shop
Mexican Food
Novelty Treat
Pizza
Steakhouse
Sub/Deli/Sandwich Shop
Tea Shop
Wings
Entertainment & Leisure
Art Gallery
Bingo
Birthday Party Venue
Casino
Event – Local
Event Venue
Family Amusement
Hotel
Live Music/Concert Venue
Live Theater
Museum
Park
Place of Worship
Radio Personality/Show
Tourist/Seasonal Attraction – Local
TV Personality
Wedding Venue
Birthday Party Venue
Casino
Event – Local
Event Venue
Family Amusement
Hotel
Live Music/Concert Venue
Live Theater
Museum
Park
Place of Worship
Radio Personality/Show
Tourist/Seasonal Attraction – Local
TV Personality
Wedding Venue
Event – Local
Event Venue
Family Amusement
Hotel
Live Music/Concert Venue
Live Theater
Museum
Park
Place of Worship
Radio Personality/Show
Tourist/Seasonal Attraction – Local
TV Personality
Wedding Venue
Family Amusement
Hotel
Live Music/Concert Venue
Live Theater
Museum
Park
Place of Worship
Radio Personality/Show
Tourist/Seasonal Attraction – Local
TV Personality
Wedding Venue
Live Music/Concert Venue
Live Theater
Museum
Park
Place of Worship
Radio Personality/Show
Tourist/Seasonal Attraction – Local
TV Personality
Wedding Venue
Museum
Park
Place of Worship
Radio Personality/Show
Tourist/Seasonal Attraction – Local
TV Personality
Wedding Venue
Place of Worship
Radio Personality/Show
Tourist/Seasonal Attraction – Local
TV Personality
Wedding Venue
Tourist/Seasonal Attraction – Local
TV Personality
Wedding Venue
Wedding Venue
Finance
Accounting Firm
Bank
Credit Union
Financial Planning Services
Investment Firm
Kids & Education
After School/Summer Camp Program
Child Care
Dance Studio/School
Pre-School
School – Private
School – Public
Youth Sports Facility/Complex
Pets
Pet Grooming Company
Pet Kennel/Boarding/Day Care
Veterinary Clinic
Services
Assisted/Senior Living
Attorney – Personal Injury
Attorney
Auction Company
Backyard Construction Company
Basement/Foundation/Water Proofing Service Company
Bathroom/Kitchen Design/Remodeling Company
Blinds/Shutters Company
Carpet/Rug Cleaning Company
Cleaning Service Company
Custom Home Builder
Door Company
Electrician/Electrical Service Company
Employment/Staffing Agency
Flooring Installation
Funeral Home/Crematory
Garage Door Company
Gutter Company
Heating/AC Service Company
Insurance Agency
Junk Removal Services
Landscape Contractor (Company Name)
Law Firm
Lawn Care/Landscaping Company
Memory Care
Non-Profit/Charity Organization
Nursing Home
Plumbing Company
Power Washing Company
Real Estate Agent
Retirement/55+ Community
Roofing Company
Siding Company
Solar Service Company
Window Company
Shopping
Antique/Coins & Collectibles Store
Arts & Crafts Store
Boutique
CBD Store
Consignment/Thrift Store
Convenience Store
Flooring Store
Florist Shop
Furniture Store
Garden Center/Nursery
Gift Shop
Grocery Store
Jewelry Store
Mattress Store
New Business
Spirits
Beer Store
Brewpub/Brewery
Craft Beer Store
Happy Hour
Liquor Store
Margarita
Sports Bar
Wine Store
Craft Beer Store
Happy Hour
Liquor Store
Margarita
Sports Bar
Wine Store
Liquor Store
Margarita
Sports Bar
Wine Store
Sports Bar
Wine Store
Sports & Fitness
Fitness Center/Gym
Golf Course
Golf Shop
Top Employers
Employer – 1-100 Employees
Employer – 101-500 Employees
Employer – 500+ Employees
Place to Work
Vehicles, Dealers & Services
Auto Body/Collision Center
Auto Glass Repair Company
Auto Repair Shop
Car Salesperson
Car Wash/Detail Shop
New Car Dealership
Tire Center
Towing Service Company
Transmission Services
Used Car Dealership
Suggest a Category
We love your category suggestions! Submit yours using the form below and it will be considered for next year’s awards program. By submitting you agree to our privacy policy. *Indicates required field.
Awards Gala
The Topeka Community’s Choice Awards culminate in the announcement of the winners! This takes place at an exclusive awards gala, open to finalists and their guests. The event begins with a cocktail hour featuring entertainment, followed by dinner and the awards presentation. The gala not only celebrates the winners’ achievements but also provides an excellent opportunity for networking and recognition. Tickets must be purchased at least three weeks before the event. Attire for the event is business/cocktail.
Awards gala is open to program finalists and guests only.
2025 awards gala date and location announced later this year.
Winners Section
Winners of the Topeka Community’s Choice Awards are revealed to the public in a printed winners section. This commemorative, printed section will publish in the Topeka Capital-Journal and will include all of the finalists and winners, along with their details. This guide is an excellent resource to keep on hand throughout the year for discovering the best businesses and organizations in the Topeka area. Winners are also posted on this website after they are announced, where they can be easily accessed.
Winners Section publication date announced later this year.
Winners and finalists are also posted online after they are announced.
Business Resources
The Topeka Community’s Choice Awards provides a one-of-a-kind platform for businesses and organizations to showcase their brand. By leveraging targeted digital ads, email marketing, DIY templates, and other marketing tools, companies can elevate their visibility during the nomination and voting phases, and beyond. It’s important to note that while these advertising opportunities can help boost a company’s chances, the decision ultimately rests with the public, as winners and finalists are determined through their votes.
Unique opportunities to promote your business or organization.
Leverage our program to gain exposure and attract new customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I go to nominate a company and what are the guidelines?
You can nominate a company once a day per category when the nomination round is active. To do so, navigate to the appropriate section and category on the ballot and type the complete company name. Once your choice has been input, complete the registration form (on your first visit) with your information and click the "Nominate" button. You can then continue nominating in other categories. There is no "Submit" button. If you nominate in 25 or more categories, you will be eligible to win the sweepstakes. To nominate again on future visits, you can use the “magic link” function that sends you an easy login email to sign back into the ballot.
I do not see a category that fits the company I would like to nominate. Can it be added?
Our categories are curated to best fit the area. However, each year we add and remove categories to drive innovation and rejuvenate the program. Once nominations have begun for that year's program, categories cannot be changed. If you would like us to suggest a category for future programs, please submit it here. When considering categories, we take several factors into account including popularity, community participation and the number of eligible companies in the area in that category.
My company made the top five in the nomination round. What happens next?
Congratulations on your company making the top five! This means you were in the top five by nominations in your category of all companies submitted during the nomination round. Your company moves on to voting where the winners are selected. Improve your chances by encouraging your fans to vote for you and contact us through the Business Resources section of this website to see how our advertising packages can help!
How do I vote in the program and can I "write in" a company during this round?
The nominees in the voting round consist of the top five companies from the nomination round. New companies cannot be added at this stage. To vote for a company, go to its category on the ballot and select “Vote” near its name. You can vote once a day per category when the voting round is active. After selecting the nominee, complete the registration form (on your first visit) and click the "Vote" button. You can then continue voting in other categories. If you input a company, your vote has been recorded. There is no "Submit" button. If you vote in 25 or more categories, you will be eligible to win the sweepstakes. If you participated in nominations, you must re-register, but your information will be carried over. To vote again on future visits, you can use the “magic link” function to sign back in.
My company made the top three in the voting round. What happens next?
Congratulations on your company making the top three! This means you were in the top three by votes in your category of all companies submitted during the voting round. You may even have won! Stay tuned to the big reveal when winners are announced and contact us through the Business Resources section of this website to see how our advertising packages can help you spread the word about your accomplishment!
My company's basic information is incorrect on the ballot. What can I do and how do I get my company details added to my listing?
We do our best to ensure company information is correct but acknowledge that errors can occur. If you notice any inaccuracies in your company’s basic information, contact us through the Additional Questions form below and let us know what is wrong and we will correct the issue. Maximize your company's visibility with our enhanced listings and advertising packages. Enhanced listings offer a comprehensive display of your company’s information, including your company logo. Additionally, our advertising packages enable you to actively promote your company and encourage the community to nominate or vote for you. contact us through the Business Resources section of this website now to get started!
How are companies alerted that they made the top five after nominations or top three after voting?
We diligently reach out by phone or email to each company to notify them of their top five or top three status, utilizing information collected from their websites, social media, or map listings. You should expect to hear from someone representing your local newspaper, USA TODAY NETWORK, USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, or Gannett. Be cautious of inbound calls from individuals not affiliated with these companies. You can always verify communications by contacting us through the Additional Questions form below. The top three list is also posted on this website after the ballot has been reviewed. If you haven't heard from us and want to know if your company made it to the top five or top three, please contact us through the Business Resources section of this website so that we can provide you with important program details and information on how our advertising products can help you promote your company!
How many times can I nominate or vote in the program and how do you prevent fraud?
You can nominate or vote in the program during their respective periods once a day per category using one individual email address. Our platform employs CAPTCHA technology to prevent bots and tracks IP addresses to prevent fraudulent voting and ensure accurate results. For more information, see our complete participation rules on our ballot pages.
How can my company increase its chances of being nominated or voted for in the program?
What comes with being named a finalist or winner in the program?
Winning or placing among the top three finalists in the Community's Choice Awards is a prestigious achievement that reflects a company's excellence in its respective industry. The winners and finalists are published online and publicized to the community, serving as a trusted resource for people searching for the best places to eat, shop, receive services and more. Companies can also showcase their accomplishments by using our free winner and finalist logos and purchasing winner plaques, finalist certificates and window clings that proudly display their achievement. Contact us through the Additional Questions form below to learn more about these opportunities.
Does this program require payment in exchange for participation, or is it solely based on the community’s nominations and votes?
Participation in the Community's Choice Awards is completely free of charge! We believe that every eligible company should have the opportunity to be recognized for their outstanding products, services and contributions to the community without any financial barriers. While we do offer advertising opportunities that can help boost a company’s chances, the decision ultimately rests with the public, as winners and finalists are determined through their votes. Company self-promotion with owned marketing channels to solicit nominations and votes are encouraged!
How do I find out the finalists and winners of this year's program?
After the program ends and we contact the finalists, we announce the winners and finalists online. Our online Winners Guide includes company details, making it a trusted resource for those looking for the best places to eat, shop, receive services and more. So, the next time you are searching for a new pizza place, need a reliable plumber, or are shopping for clothing, make sure to check out our guide for some top-notch recommendations!
Is there an awards ceremony or event for the program?
Currently, there is no formal awards ceremony for this program, but we do recognize and celebrate the achievements of participants by announcing the winners online after the completion of the program. As the program continues to grow and attract more participants, we may consider organizing an event to further enhance its prestige!
My company was selected as a finalist or winner. How can I get a plaque or certificate and window cling and when do they arrive?
If you purchased an advertising package, you should receive your window cling, certificate, or plaque within six to eight weeks of the winners being announced. If you did not purchase an advertising package, please contact us through the Additional Questions form below for information on their availability or how to purchase them. Don't forget, you can also showcase your accomplishment by using our free winner and finalist logos.
When is next year's program and what can my company do until then to improve my chances?
Stay tuned to the How it Works section on this website to find out when next year's awards program will take place. Typically, the program follows a similar timeline each year. In the meantime, we encourage you to motivate your company's employees to deliver outstanding experiences to your customers. When customers are impressed by your service or product, they are more likely to recommend you and keep you in mind during the awards program. Thank you for your participation and support, and good luck next year!
Additional Questions?
Last Year’s Program Results
Here they are, the winners and finalists of the 2024 Topeka Community’s Choice Awards. These companies were chosen by the community as the best in your area. We encourage you to support these local businesses and organizations by shopping, dining and using their services for a great experience. Keep an eye out for the program’s window clings, plaques or certificates displayed in their establishments.