Perry Hall Gino's Prepares for Opening, Begins Hiring
The restaurant is expected to open in Honeygo Village Center on March 6.
A young woman sits with her job application at a front table, while a man in a lift secures the restaurant's first outdoor Gino's Burgers and Chicken sign.
Debbie Wait, pegged to become a Gino's general manager, can barely sit still as she discusses the "finishing touches" happening inside the much-anticipated Perry Hall fast-food joint.
Located at the former Wendy's at 5001 Honeygo Center Dr., its opening date is estimated for March 6. A grand opening celebration with founder and namesake, Baltimore Colts legend Gino Marchetti, will likely not occur until weeks later, Wait said.
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The hiring and training of about 50 employees is already underway. Wait encouraged those interested in working at Gino's to check Craigslist daily for information, or come to the restaurant during normal business hours this week for an application.
"Work experience is important, but what's really important is personality. Customer service is key," Wait said. "It's going to be a fun, uplifting atmosphere—very family friendly."
She added that there is a hiring preference for local community members.
Wait and franchisee Sophie Kennedy declined to comment on any legal disputes related to the new Gino's.
Kennedy had originally entered into the franchise with longtime friend and neighbor Kathleen Kropp. In addition to Perry Hall, franchise territories were purchased in White Marsh and Dundalk.
Kropp, however, told Patch in December that she was no longer involved in the franchises. She also said that she planned to take legal action in a contract dispute.
Under a separate franchisee, a Gino's opened in Towson in August 2011. It was the first of the restaurants to open in Maryland since the Pasadena location closed in 1991.
Decades ago, a Gino's had been located along Belair Road in Perry Hall, where a Starbucks is currently located.
"The entire community is getting excited—they're excited about Gino's coming back," Wait said.
Do you remember the old Perry Hall Gino's? What was your favorite menu item? Tell us in the comments.
Tim
2:52 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Will have to try it out next month!
Jack
2:59 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I think they should have chosen a better location for it. The old Wendy's is way to small and there is not enough parking spaces.
Stacey Schantz
3:24 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I can't wait for it to open! Sure hope they have a kid-friendly kids menu!!!
Kris
4:30 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I'd rather have the Wendy's. How does a Wendy's go out of business?
Nicole
4:46 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
That was the best Wendy's around! Now it’s being replaced with overpriced, mediocre burgers.
Tim
5:01 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
If this is true, then this is a wash then.
Because seriously, Wendy's is both mediocre and overpriced.
Being better then McDonald's isn't saying anything. Dog food is better then McDonald's.
Paul Amirault
8:38 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Tim, I'm looking for a change. How is that dog food? Ha ha! Couldn't resist!
Cory G
2:10 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Tim, I don't think Nicole was saying that Wendys is the best - just that this was the best Wendys. I agree with her, as the other Wendys locations in the area are sub-par, and this Wendys actually did a decent job.
Shaun
6:09 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I wonder if they are going to use the drive thru from the Wendys.
That would make for some great business!
Kaiden Davisimone
7:59 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The nostalgia you're seeking doesn't exist. The food is way too expensive and The Gino Giant is not like the original. I wonder how many people will visit more than once? This won't last...
Tim
8:12 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I actually wonder this myself. However, I think they were smart going into Honeygo, versus trying to compete in White Marsh with Z-burger and Five Guys.
Because it's like - if you like Z Burger a little better, but you're still closer to Honeygo...
Desiree Johnson
9:28 pm on Friday, March 2, 2012
Kaiden: I agree....my husband and I ate at the Ginos in Towson and the Gino Giant wasn't even close to the original. The food actually was not very good at all....definately will not go back to Ginos no matter where it is....yuck!!!!!
LalainMaryland
9:59 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Why is such news always greeted with negativity in this community?. We are becoming "peevey" hall instead if Perey Hall. If you don't like it, DON'T GO but shut up with the whining
Cheryl
7:41 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Agreed. Let's give it a chance. Local people and a local business. Good luck to all!
Motorrader
4:46 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
My favorite was always the Gino Giant.
Ryan
7:14 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I went to the one in Towson, and for $9 I got a Geno’s Giant, fries, and a drink. I thought it was great and I couldn’t even finish. I thought it was great bang for my buck. For $7 at chick fil a, I get the same, but much smaller amount. I don’t know why everyone is always complaining. I think it is a great move for Perry Hall.
It’s funny how everyone is always saying PH has too many chains, then when a non chain moves in, it is just more complaining. I think a lot of these people need to get jobs, so they are not home finding new things to complain about all the time.
I can’t wait to see when we find out what is going in the old Safeway building. I guarantee there will be thirty comments about how people are not going to go there, why do we need another one of these, I wanted a fill in the blank. If you people have these great ideas, you could easy rent that property, and put whatever you want in there. If those stores would do so well there, I bet the people with money would actually put one in Perry Hall, but what fun would thinking about reality be when sitting on the couch figuring out what next to complain about.
Tim
8:24 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
LOL, well said. Especially the non-chain comment.
Ryan
7:16 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I went to the one in Towson, and for $9 I got a Geno’s Giant, fries, and a drink. I thought it was great and I couldn’t even finish. I thought it was great bang for my buck. For $7 at chick fil a, I get the same, but much smaller amount. I don’t know why everyone is always complaining. I think it is a great move for Perry Hall.
It’s funny how everyone is always saying PH has too many chains, then when a non chain moves in, it is just more complaining. I think a lot of these people need to get jobs, so they are not home finding new things to complain about all the time.
I can’t wait to see when we find out what is going in the old Safeway building. I guarantee there will be thirty comments about how people are not going to go there, why do we need another one of these, I wanted a fill in the blank. If you people have these great ideas, you could easily rent that property, and put whatever you want in there. If those stores would do so well there, I bet the people with money would actually put one in Perry Hall, but what fun would thinking about reality be when sitting on the couch figuring out what next to complain about.
David Marks
8:08 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Ryan, I wish you could see my face. Thank you for your comments and your interest in our community.
Other Tim
12:31 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Don't understand your comment about "non chain". Although this is only the 2nd one around here, there are more in Pennsylvania, and many more planned in several states. That, to me, is a "chain".
Ryan
2:25 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Sorry Tim, I guess it is the same as a Wendy's, McDonald's or Walgreen's.
Computer Techy
7:21 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The children are getting big enough from eating this bad food too often. It would be nice to see a place that offered, nutritious, fast, organic, non-GMO, and non-hormone injected food. A little comfort food now and then is fine, just to bad there isn't a place that can offer the kind of fresh, home cooked style meal as I mentioned.
Cheryl
7:42 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
oh my gosh.
Tim
8:25 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
How about at home???
Greg Redmer
12:27 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
My Cafe at Honeygo fits that bill pretty well.
Cory G
2:08 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
You can always cook at home. :)
Kris
8:23 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Some good input there about supporting local business Ryan, point well taken. You are correct that we should give it a shot befored denouncing it. That said, I happen to like the Wendy's there, and I (and everyone else on this site) am free to voice my opinion. This is America, right?
Ryan
9:31 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I agree Chris, this is America and one of the great things is our right to free speech. I wasn’t trying to take that away from anyone.
To the same point, we live in America, which is Capitalistic (hopefully it will stay that way) and when a business shuts down there is usually a good reason. I highly doubt that Wendy’s was making money hand over fist. If it was, you could bet it would still be there making tons of money for its owners today. It is really the same concept of another Walgreen’s opening up. Those people who spend all of that money to build a new store and take all of that risk do not do so without careful forethought. People and companies do not get rich and successful by spending millions of dollars and then praying it works out.
Laura
10:13 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I have been anxiously awaiting this opening! Great food, new jobs for the community, and excellent location. Come on March 6th!
Rick
10:26 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Excellent to have a bit of nostalgia to bring people to Perry Hall. The Honeygo site will benefit from the increased exposure.
Ed
10:53 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I grew up with Gino's in Dundalk when the burgers were .15 cents. The Gino Burger and the chocolate shake was the best. "Everybody goes to Gino's, cause Gino's is the place to go". Ed
Other Tim
12:26 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Not 15 cents anymore. I went to Gino's in Towson. I had the Gino's Giant (that's what they call it now), and my wife had the Gino's Giant Junior. We split a fries/onion ring basket, and both had milkshakes. Cost over $25!
Ryan
2:28 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I don't know what you expect Tim, but $25 for a huge milkshake made out of real ice cream, 2 big sandwiches and Fries is not bad. Add up the price of two Mcdonald's Angus burgers, 2 really thin fake milkshakes, and the sugar compound they call fries and I bet you are very close to $20.
Bonnie Mogavero
12:17 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I am looking forward to the White Marsh Gino's opening. I have many fond memories of the original Gino's at Loch Raven Blvd. near Taylor Ave. from my childhood. When my aunt and uncle would pick us up we would go there for a milkshake and sometimes a burger. I also remember the two dairy bars that were at that intersection: Knoxes and Murrys. Miss that homemade icecreqm from back in the day
Nicole
4:44 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I don’t know if any of you have noticed this but when the Ginos first opened in Towson the line was wrapped around the building. Not even a week later you could walk right in and choose where to sit…that should tell you something!
Greg Redmer
8:33 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I went about 3 weeks after they opened and was about 30th in line at about 11:15am.
Barty Benny
8:29 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
Hey! How come gEono giant is almost $6??? I ust ta by for 79 cents. How com its so expensuv?? I used to by frys for 39 cents and chicin for $2.49. Just because geomnos giant has 2 an a half times meat as 79 cent one. That meand giant should cos $2.25, not $5.89, How cum so expewnsive since last time I bought fud at Pasadena geonos in '91???
Brent
3:09 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Wow, I have never seen so many spelling mistakes.
carroll reid jr.
3:12 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
why cant we all be happy for these ladies trying to do some good in our community
carroll reid jr.
3:14 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
please let me know when you open will bring whole family and friends. drive to joppa rd. about 3 times a month
Greg Redmer
3:46 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
I think they open March 6th.
Greg Redmer
4:32 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Correction; March 5th.