NORTHAMPTON — After a decade of offering dinnertime hours, the landmark Miss Florence Diner is now strictly a daytime operation.

Owner John Zantouliadis tells the Daily Hampshire Gazette that his decision to scale back closing time to 3 p.m. had more to do with quality-of-life issues than the economy.

The diner at 99 Main St. in the Florence section of the city had formerly stayed open until 8 p.m. But the new closing time means Zantouliadis can get home to see his family by 4:30 p.m. or thereabouts, as opposed to the marathon schedule he used to work.

Family comes before the almighty dollar for this 38-year-old restaurateur. "I have a 3-year old and another on the way. I'm just taking more time to enjoy life," he told the Northampton newspaper. "I didn't want to miss my kids growing up," he added.

The diner still opens at 6 a.m. seven days a week. But shorter days means less inventory and overhead, which has translated into savings for Zantouliadis, who still employs about a dozen people.

He continues to offer such dinner staples as roast turkey and meatloaf, although he serves them a bit earlier than before.

More information about the diner is available by calling (413) 584-3137 or by going online to missflorencediner.com.