Café that makes the 'best coffee in Melbourne' is forced to shut down after owner was brutally attacked at work: 'It's no longer safe'
A Melbourne café owner who was brutally assaulted at work has closed down his successful business after just seven months, declaring that he no longer feels 'safe'.
Moustafa Saoud, the owner of Eleven: 11 café on Buckley Street in Footscray, was punched and kicked by a hooded man on June 20 in a horrifying attack that was captured on CCTV.
The disturbing footage shows the man approaching the owner who is standing behind the counter.
Mr Saoud is then punched in the face and kicked repeatedly.
The assailant had visited the café earlier that day on two occasions to ask for a cigarette.
On his second visit, he was refused a cigarette before returning for a third time and carrying out the attack.
Co-owners Mr Saoud and Alex Saoud made the difficult decision to shut down the business following the shocking incident.
The brothers say they have noticed a spike in drug-related violence in the area in recent months and that it's too dangerous to continue trading.
'It's not worth it, to lose my life for,' Mr Saoud told Nine News. 'I'm not gonna be safe anymore.'
'I don't need to make my mum, my dad upset, him upset. It's not safe,' Mr Saoud's brother and business partner Alex agreed.
Locals are devastated the café is closing and are fed up with the reported increase in violence and drug-use in the area.
Some are worried the increase in violence will deter new businesses from setting up in the area in the future.
One resident said the café 'made the best coffee in Melbourne' and will be sorely missed.
Victoria Police regularly patrol the area around Footscray daily to prevent drug offending and violent behaviour.
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