UPDATE (Dec. 19, 9:43 a.m.)—The planned Perry Hall Gino's Burgers and Chicken will replace the former Wendy's on Honeygo Center Drive, according to franchisee Sophie Kennedy.

Construction on the conversion is scheduled to begin on the morning of Dec. 19, Kennedy wrote in an email to Patch Friday morning.

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The announcement followed months of anticipation and speculation among community members over where the fast food restaurant would be located.

Kennedy wrote that a grand opening date had not yet been determined.

She told Patch in August that the restaurant would likely open by January or February 2012.

The former Wendy's, located at 5001 Honeygo Center Dr., recently closed. The location is no longer listed on the company website.

Kennedy had originally entered into the franchise with longtime friend and neighbor Kathleen Kropp. Kropp, however, is no longer in communication with Kennedy and is no longer involved in the franchise, she told Patch Friday morning.

Kropp said $15,000 she paid toward acquiring the Gino's territory has still not been returned to her. 

"They took my money ... you just don't throw somebody aside," she said.

Kropp said she plans to meet with an attorney Monday morning about the dispute.

"They're not just going to hand me my money back and think I'm going to walk away," she said.

It is unclear whether or not a legal dispute would disrupt the opening of the new franchise.

Kennedy and Kropp, during an August interview, said they predicted the restaurant will bring an influx of new customers to the area.

"We believe in giving back to the community. That's why Gino's had to be in Perry Hall," Kennedy said.

A new Gino's opened in Towson in August. It was the first of the franchises to open in Maryland since the Pasadena location closed in 1991. Decades ago, a Gino's had been located along Belair Road, where the Perry Hall Starbucks is currently located.

The restaurant, founded in 1957, was named for Baltimore Colts player Gino Marchetti. Its signature menu item is the Gino's Giant.

"Everybody is so excited about Gino's coming back," Kennedy said.

Kennedy confirmed in August that they had purchased franchise territories in White Marsh and Dundalk.

Do you remember when the Perry Hall Gino's along Belair Road closed? Share your memories of the restaurant in the comments.