Change is afoot in Edgartown, where the Main Street Diner has a new owner and a new name. The 1950’s themed eatery is now the Edgartown Diner, a name change that reflects the way new chef and owner Ralston Francis wants his customers to think of the diner. He wants it to be a welcoming, regular place for locals, in addition to a step back in culinary time for summer visitors.

“I want to keep it an Island place, so it feels at home,” Mr. Ralston said on a Sunday morning as the last of the breakfast crowd finished their eggs and coffee.

With his partner Mavis Hutchinson, there will be a few more changes soon. The first thing the young couple did after taking ownership of the business in early December, was lower the prices on some of the most popular menu items.

Diner will now feature more local food including Chilmark Coffee. — Steve Myrick

“If you live here year round, you can come in and enjoy breakfast without having to pay quite so high a price,” Ms. Hutchinson said.

The next thing they did was begin to change the sourcing of some of the ingredients, to reflect more fresh, local food. Already, the cups are filled with Chilmark Coffee, and the vegetables in the omelets are fresh, not previously frozen.

Ms. Hutchinson is joined by her mother Esther Reid in making everyone feel right at home. Customers are already noticing a new vibe, including a willingness to fill special orders, or perhaps put customer requests on the menu.

“You don’t tell the customer no,” Ms. Hutchinson said.

Mr. Francis, a native of Jamaica who was trained at the Southern New Hampshire University culinary program, worked in the kitchen for the Main Street Diner for the past three years. He jumped at the chance to buy the restaurant.

“It just happened,” he said. “The owners wanted to sell.”

Previously, he worked at an upscale Italian restaurant in Atlanta. He first visited Martha’s Vineyard in 2011, and returned the next year for a week-long stay.

“I fell in love with the Island,” Mr. Ralston said. “I decided I really have to come back. It reminds me of back home, the island feeling, surrounded by the water.”

The new sign will be up in a few days, and the diner will remain open every day, except Christmas day, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for breakfast and lunch until Jan. 3. After a winter break, the Edgartown Diner will re-open for business with a grand opening splash in early April.