‘Not worth it’: Melbourne cafe closes after seven months following violent attack

Shock footage shows the moment the owner of a cafe was violently attacked, amid what he says is a spike in drug use and violence in the area.

It’s a buzzing cafe in Melbourne’s inner city that opened just seven months ago, with locals raving about how great the coffee is.

However, the co-owners of Eleven: 11 cafe on Buckley Street in Footscray say they have decided to close its doors after a shocking attack and noticing a general trend of a spike in drug use and street violence in the area.

Moustafa Saoud is closing his Footscray cafe after he was violently bashed. Picture: Supplied

The June 20 attack was caught on the store’s CCTV. Picture: Supplied

Horrifying CCTV from inside the cafe shows the attack on the morning of June 20. A hooded man can be seen approaching cafe owner Moustafa Saoud, who was behind the counter of his shop.

Mr Saoud was then punched in the face and kicked in the legs.

The man had allegedly come into the cafe twice asking for a cigarette. Picture: Supplied

‘It’s not worth it, to lose my life for,’ Mr Saoud said. Picture: Supplied

The attacker had allegedly entered the cafe twice earlier that morning to ask for a cigarette.

On his second visit, the man was refused a cigarette and on the third time he carried out the attack.

Mr Saoud at hospital after the attack. Picture: David Caird

The area has seen a spike in drug use and violence. Picture: David Caird

Mr Saoud told Nine News he no longer feels safe.

“It’s not worth it, to lose my life for,” he said.

“I’m not gonna be safe anymore.”

“It’s not safe,” brother and business partner Alex Saoud agreed.

Locals, who are fed up with violence and drug-use in the area, say they are devastated that the cafe is closing.

“He made the best coffee in Melbourne, and I’ll stand by that,” one local said.

Victoria Police has been contacted for comment about the June 20 cafe incident.

Police told Nine News there are daily patrols around Footscray to prevent drug offending and antisocial behaviour.