In 1921, Ben Ourisman, a D.C. local. opened his first car dealership, Ourisman Chevrolet, in the heart of Washington, D.C. He was 18 years old. While the dealership had to briefly close during World War II, Ben was able to reopen it after the war. He then went on to open a second store in Anacostia called Mandell Chevrolet, named after his son. By the late 1940's, Ben's stores were two of the most successful stores in the nation.
Unfortunately, Ben passed away in 1955, leaving his son, Mandell Ourisman, to take over. Mandell eventually moved the original Chevrolet dealership out to Marlow Heights. The organization has since been expanded by 2 of his sons and one of his step-sons.