He's attracted a loyal following, selling coffees to the early morning commuters travelling down the highway or to fatigued motorists.
But Ashley Bookluck's Creative Coffee cart at Faulconbridge has less than 14 days to pack up shop after council deemed it not a "mobile" cart. Council has also threatened to issue the 22-year-old with a $3000 fine.
Mr Bookluck is faced with applying for development consent or abandoning his self-made business and returning to the dole.
A letter from council he received last week said: "It has come to council's attention that you are not operating your business use in accordance with the exemption criteria for mobile food and drink outlets.
"The coffee cart is a permanent fixture that has remained in its current location since you located it there. It is not moved during the day or from day to day and cannot be considered a mobile operation."
It said Mr Bookluck is in breach of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.
"As you are currently breaching the act, council is considering the issue of a penalty notice ($3000 for individuals, $5000 for companies)."
At the same time, the owner of Faulconbridge Farm antiques, where Mr Bookluck has parked his cart, has also been issued with a council letter insisting he provide off-street parking for 12 cars and stops putting signs and merchandise outside the front of his shop.
Both men have been warned that their activities are risking public safety.
Mr Bookluck was told his use of "signs, chairs, coffee cart, shade structure and associated advertising activities" could be "distracting drivers" and should be removed.
Geoffrey Croft was told materials placed outside his boundary were also a potential distraction.
Mr Bookluck said he was shocked to receive the letter.
"It's terrible to think that the Blue Mountains council could be putting two men out of business."
He faced the real possibility of having to go back on the dole, he said. The same for his employee, Gavin Wadeley, 18.
"This is my first job. I'm devastated," Mr Wadeley said.
Mr Bookluck started his cart outside the old antique shop at Bullaburra but was forced to move when the roadworks cut off access. He relocated in front of Faulconbridge Farm in February. He used to take the coffee maker home to Leura each night until Mr Croft allowed him to leave it inside his property. He said it is still a mobile cart.
One of his customers, Jason Price from Linden, has written to Blue Mountains MP, Trish Doyle.
"Ash is a young man trying to make a fair go of running a small business and his entrepreneurial skills and work ethic should be applauded and considered as a role model and inspiration to other young people," he wrote. "Instead council seems adamant in making it as difficult as possible for him to succeed."
Mr Croft said his letter requiring off-street parking came out of the blue and obviously referred to a DA obtained by previous owners. He bought the premises in 2013.
His letter instructs him to comply with the approved conditions, otherwise it will issue an order which attracts fines ranging from several thousand dollars up to $1 million.
But Mr Croft said providing the parking would set him back at least $180,000. He also questioned how distracting his signage was compared with other businesses along the highway.
He only wished that council officers would talk to him.
"They don't have enough guts or latitude or discretion to come and talk to us and see how we can rectify the situation."
But a spokeswoman said council had attempted to work with both Mr Croft and Mr Goodluck regarding ways they could modify their operations "to be consistent with the law".
"The issue is important because commercial premises attracting vehicles stopping on the 80km/h (speed limit) Great Western Highway without safe entry/exits presents an unnecessary danger to other road users."
Of the Coffee Cart, she said: "The unauthorised use of the site contributes significantly to safety risks by encouraging (drivers of) vehicles to stop in an unsafe manner and provides distractions."
