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.
Mr Saoud (right) and his brother Alex Saoud (left) have decided to sell the business seven months after opening as they don’t feel safe
The owner of Eleven: 11 café on Buckley Street in Footscray, Moustafa Saoud, was punched and kicked by a hooded man on June 20 (pictured)
The assailant, captured on CCTV, had visited the café on two occasions prior to the attack earlier in the morning, asking the owner for a cigarette
‘It’s not worth it,’ Mr Saoud told Nine News.
‘(I could) lose my life.’
Mr Saoud’s brother and business partner Alex agreed.
‘I don’t need to make my mum, my dad upset, him upset. It’s not safe.’
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 anti-social behaviour 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.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Victoria Police for comment on Mr Saoud’s attack.
