Michael Ryan has sold his Main street Vineyard Haven restaurant to the owners of Mad Martha’s Ice Cream and Skinny’s Fat Sandwiches for $1.2 million. The new owners plan to reopen in time for Memorial Day.

The Vineyard Haven restaurant that rose from the ashes of a Main street fire five years ago has been placed on the market for sale. The bistro reopened in October 2012 and closed last month. The asking price is $1.25 million.

After the last hurrah of Columbus Day weekend, many of the Main street business owners in Vineyard Haven hang signs on their doors saying “Closed” or “See You Next Season.”

On the corner of Main and Centre streets, the long-awaited Cafe Moxie is finally open.

On Tuesday morning couples were seated at tables in the cafe with steaming cups of coffee.

Cafe Moxie is set to open its doors today on the corner of Main and Centre streets in Vineyard Haven. Owner Michael Ryan said the cafe will be open year-round, every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. with chef Willy Wannamaker preparing American bistro dishes. Mr. Ryan said the credit card system will not be installed until next Friday, so the cafe will only be accepting cash and checks for the first week of business.

Tisbury selectmen Tuesday approved a common victualler’s license for Cafe Moxie, clearing the way for the long-awaited re-opening of the Main street restaurant.

A Main street Vineyard Haven restaurant that has sat empty for years was singled out for biting criticism by one of the town selectmen this week, who openly questioned whether the owner was acting in good faith.

“I see Cafe Moxie opened up this morning,” said selectman Jeffrey Kristal at the Tuesday board meeting. “No, I’m kidding,” he added with evident sarcasm.

There has been much speculation about 48 Main street in Vineyard Haven ever since July 4, 2008, when fire destroyed Café Moxie and badly damaged the Bunch of Grapes bookstore. With the rubble atCafé Moxie knocked down shortly after the fire, an empty lot sat in the heart of downtown Vineyard Haven.

Cafe Moxie, the Tisbury restaurant destroyed by fire on July 4, 2008, seems sure to remain closed for a third summer season, its owner says.

Paul Currier said he now saw no way the rebuilding could be completed before the anniversary of the blaze, which also severely damaged the adjoining Bunch of Grapes bookstore, “and if you can’t open by July 4, you’ve pretty much missed the season.”

For a second summer, Main street Vineyard Haven will have a vacant space where Café Moxie used to be, following the latest setback in plans to rebuild the restaurant.

Paul Currier, owner of the building destroyed by fire last July 4, told Tisbury selectmen this week work on the rebuilding would stop until at least September.

Mr. Currier previously had hoped the restaurant would be finished and trading again before the anniversary of the fire.

Paul Currier, owner of the Café Moxie building destroyed when a fire broke out there on the Fourth of July, plans to apply today for a permit to rebuild the Main street, Vineyard Haven restaurant, with the backing of Mike Ryan of Island Woodworks.

“I would love nothing better than [for the new Cafe Moxie] to be open for the Fourth of July next year,” Mr. Currier said.