Categories not showing

This problem doesn't seem to be unique but I can't find a solution in my searches through the forum. We're using Zen Cart 1.3.9h. New install, not an upgrade.

The Categories sidebox shows up, the categories themselves do not.

See at: worthsoftballbats.com

Changed the template to 2 different templates, categories still a no-show.

Checked the admin catalog - the categories and products are there and correct. Also checked in the database, all OK there too.

We're using several mods:
Easy Populate
Testimonials Manager
Google Merchant Center Feeder
Multisite Tools
Sitemap XML
SEO URLs
(can get the version numbers if needed)

Turned on all possible category-specific options in Layout Settings, except Categories - Always Show on Main Page - that works great but now I just need the categories to show up in the sidebox. The sidebox is turned on in Layout Controller.

I've tried several suggestions I've found here in the forums but nothing is working.

Tried pulling the default files and the customized files into a comparison tool, nothing specific jumps out at me that would block the categories from showing up. I.e. differences are minor and usually format related.

Can someone please shed some light on the problem please? Thanks soooo much!

I see this |_ -> (38)

I suspect that using EP you have made some error

Try adding manually a new category and a couple of products to it

Thank you for your help Kobra. I added a category named "test" with a single product called "bat" with a price of $1.00. Unfortunately it's still not showing any categories in the sidebox.

Could there be another issue going on? I appreciate any suggestions you might have.

Kobra, I took the coward's way out :) I installed the Expanded Category List and that's enabled me to show the categories. Since this is a live site and the client is adding products I didn't have the luxury of getting to the root of this problem - he's really pushing to get this done yesterday. My preference though is to always fix the problems that arise in case I encounter them again on another site.

Thank you for your help though- keep up the great work your doing!!