A popular downtown Oxford diner is expected to reopen the week of Jan. 23 under new ownership, but with old management.

“I’m just excited to be back,” said Nicole Ellsworth, who co-owns the 5-1 Diner at 51 S. Washington St., next to Centennial Park.

“I miss my customers a lot. I miss serving my community. And I miss the food.”

Ellsworth had managed the diner for about three years and claimed to have been in the process of purchasing it when she and her staff were locked out in late August by the owners, who disputed her claim. She had no written agreement in place nor did she receive any receipts for the weekly “good faith” cash payments she claimed to have been making.

The lockout sparked a protest outside the little diner. Local moms, kids and other community members waved homemade signs in support of Ellsworth and the staff.

The protest made the six o’clock TV news in Detroit.

But that’s all in the past – and that’s exactly where Ellsworth wants it to stay. The matter was resolved to her satisfaction.

“It’s over and done,” she said. “I want to concentrate on the positive and move forward, not really dwell on what happened.”

Ultimately, Ellsworth now has what she wanted all along – the 5-1 Diner.

She signed a lease for the space in November.

The DBA (Doing Business As) for the 5-1 Diner is still registered under her name with Oakland County, as it has been since last April. A limited liability company for the 5-1 Diner was formed in November with Ellsworth’s new partner, Oxford resident Mark Dolata, listed as the resident agent.

“He was a regular customer of mine,” she said.

Prior to last summer’s controversy, Dolata, a retiree, had been coming to the diner on an almost daily basis – sometimes twice a day.

“With (Ellsworth in charge), you wanted to come in every day,” he said. “The environment was good. She was great with people. She works so hard.”

When the ownership dispute arose, Dolata was not happy.

“I didn’t like the way she was treated, the way she was locked out,” he said.

He was amazed by how the community rallied around Ellsworth and supported her.

“I’ve never seen anybody get attention like she did,” Dolata said. “They all love her.”

Dolata decided to take a chance on Ellsworth and become her partner. He noted he wouldn’t have gone into business with just anyone.

“I had to have somebody I could trust like family. That’s how I feel about her,” he said.

Dolata is looking forward to reopening the diner.

“I feel like I’m starting over,” he said. “I’ve been retired for so long. It feels good.”

The diner’s interior has been updated and remodeled with new equipment and furnishings, but the faces waiting tables and slinging hash will largely be the same ones customers saw prior to the lockout.

“Most everybody wants to come back to work here,” Ellsworth said. “They all got temporary jobs and were very supportive through the whole thing.”

Chef Vaso Ljajcaj will be back in the kitchen, she assured.

Ellsworth said the menu will be similar to what it was before as the dishes will continue to feature “all fresh, all local ingredients.”

The 5-1 Diner plans to offer products from well-known Michigan companies such as Faygo, Dearborn Sausage Company, Koegel’s, Better Made and Sanders. Ingredients from Eastern Market will be included as well.

New menu offerings include a build-your-own section for wrap and pita sandwiches as well as breakfast skillets and omelettes, she noted.

In the end, Ellsworth is grateful to everyone who remained squarely in her corner.

“I want to thank Oxford for supporting me through this whole thing,” she said. “Without the community behind us, I don’t know that we’d be here today.”

The 5-1 Diner will be open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.