It appears that the future of the venerable "Burrito Buggy" in Athens may be in jeopardy.

Last month, The Athens News broke the story that Burrito Buggy owner and founder Paul Wildeck is trying to sell the Buggy business as he moves on to a career as a financial planner.

While Wildeck hopes to pass the torch to someone interested in keeping the 25-year-old Athens tradition alive, it's clear the business dynamic along Court Street has changed over the years. I suspect this decision has a lot to do with a variety of other factors, including the recent economic downturn; the increase in available restaurant choices; and the current OU student traffic flow at Court St. and Union.

I remember the reported excitement and fervor when Chipotle came into town, but I don't see how those $6 to $8 burritos could compete with those of the Burrito Buggy. Maybe OU students and/or their parents have deeper pockets than I had in my time, but I doubt it.

In my years at OU, everyone I knew scrounged, scrapped and counted pennies, if for no other reason than to assure a can of tuna or block of Ramen was always on hand or that they could chip in for a case of cheap beer. I suspect that aspect of college life hasn't changed much.

I could be wrong. Maybe the profile of the typical OU college student has changed more than I think. Today's tuition rates are vastly higher than they were 20 years ago, even adjusted for inflation. Financial aid seems increasingly harder to come by.

Perhaps, then, it can be surmised that OU students these days are a more affluent lot than in the past, able to afford more expensive food, avoiding buggy-based vendors in favor of giant, pricier chains like Chipotle.

Ohio University seems to be enticing more affluent student prospects by offering better amenities and building upgrades. All dorms these days now come equipped with Internet access and computers; the school recently built a luxurious, environmentally controlled dorm on the South Green with personal fridges; and they completed the impressive, new Baker Center to house radio stations, conference rooms, restaurants and coffee houses.

In any event, we wish Burrito Buggy owner Paul Wildeck all the best in his new career pursuits. Good luck to him, thanks for the memories and good luck to the Burrito Buggy.