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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FALLS CHURCH, VA — Together We Thrive announced the creation of the Douglas Ebenstein Scholarship, a new $5,000 scholarship funded by Douglas Ebenstein, who along with his father, the late Norman Ebenstein, are the visionary leaders who transformed Eden Center into one of the nation’s most vibrant cultural and economic hubs for the Vietnamese American community.
The scholarship will become part of the DMV Youth Impact Awards, an initiative recognizing middle and high school students across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and meaningful service to their communities.
The gift reflects Together We Thrive’s belief that investing in young people creates lasting impact, not only for individual students, but also for families, neighborhoods, and the broader community.
“What the Ebenstein family has built is more than a destination. Eden Center is a place where generations have found opportunity, connection, and a sense of belonging. This scholarships honor this extraordinary accomplishment by investing in young leaders and changemakers who are already making a difference today and will shape the future of our region tomorrow.”
The Youth Impact Awards launched its inaugural class in 2025 during the Moon Festival at Eden Center, celebrating students surrounded by their families, educators, and community members. While rooted in the Vietnamese American community, the program has since expanded to recognize outstanding students from across the broader AAPI community and throughout the diverse communities of the Washington metropolitan region.
Scholarship Highlights
- $5,000 Douglas Ebenstein Scholarship established through Together We Thrive.
- Supports outstanding students recognized through the Youth Impact Awards.
- Honors Douglas Ebenstein’s lasting contributions to Eden Center and the communities it has served for decades.
- Builds upon a program that recognizes up to 500 middle and high school students annually across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia for excellence in academics, leadership, and community service.
Additional scholarship details and community partnerships will be announced in the coming weeks.
Together We Thrive believes that strengthening communities begins by investing in the next generation. Through a series of scholarships, recognition, and partnerships with families, educators, businesses, and civic leaders, the organization is building opportunities that empower young people to lead with purpose and serve others.
Learn more: uqr.to/DMVYouthImpact
About Eden Center and the Ebenstein foundation
Since 1982 Eden Center has been one of the City of Falls Church’s most popular destinations and one of the most unique shopping and cultural centers in the Washington metropolitan area. With more than 115 family-owned businesses and approximately 230,000 square feet of retail space, Eden Center is the largest Vietnamese American shopping center on the East Coast. A trip to Eden Center is a like a trip to Vietnam – without the jetlag.
For more information, visit www.edencenter.com
DOUGLAS EBENSTEIN: PRESIDENT AND CEO
Douglas Ebenstein serves as the President and CEO of Norman Ebenstein, at Capital Commercial Properties, Inc. and Eden Center, Inc. He leads the retail leasing development efforts throughout the Washington DC metropolitan Area.
Douglas Ebenstein earned a BA in economics from Brown University and a JD from Duke University School of Law. While at Brown, Doug competed on the varsity tennis team and ranked number one in singles and doubles during his final two years. Before attending law school, Doug played professionally in the ATP and achieved a world ranking of 300.
In 1978, Douglas joined his father, Capital Commercial Properties and helped to drive the company’s expansion. Continuing the family tradition, Doug was joined by his older daughter Lisa in 2015 and his younger daughter Lori in 2020.
Doug maintains a strong community presence and supports Brown University’s athletic programs and tennis team. He is a longtime member of Congregation B’nai Israel in Boca Raton and supporter of the Morgan Pressel Foundation. He continues to be an avid senior tennis player, ranking as high as 3rd in singles and 5th in doubles for his age group. Doug lives in Boca Raton, Florida, with his wife Robin. In his spare time, he enjoys shooting sporting clays, playing tennis, and spending time with his grand-dogs.
NORMAN EBENSTEIN: FOUNDER AND FORMER CEO
Norman Ebenstein was born in New York City in 1928 and was raised in Worcester, MA. Norman grew up in a Jewish household that emphasized education and family.
In 1961, he founded Capital Commercial Properties and continued to serve as the company’s president and CEO for over 50 years. He led the creation and revitalization of several shopping centers, mixed use developments, and malls. One of his key achievements was the revitalization of Eden Center, a Falls Church VA shopping area that remains a cultural and social hub for the Vietnamese-American community.
Norman was an avid tennis player and placed in in the top 20 in the New England’s 45 and over. He was a philanthropist who donated to several causes and created a charitable foundation to continue that legacy. Norman enjoyed spending time with his family and cruising the world.
Norman Ebenstein graduated from Brown University in 1950 with a degree in economics. While at Brown, he played on the varsity baseball team and met his future wife Shirley Gorlick. After graduating Brown, Norman earned a JD from the Boston University School of Law and practiced as an attorney before founding Capital Commercial Properties. Throughout their 65-year marriage, Norman and Shirley raised two children Doug and Jaime, as well as, several Labrador Retrievers. Norman continued to lead Capital Commercial Properties through his mid 80’s. Norman passed away in 2016, leaving his legacy in the hands of his son Douglas Ebenstein, later joined by granddaughters Lisa and Lori.
