Latest news with #AlexSaoud
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Daily Mail
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.
News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
‘Not worth it': Melbourne cafe closes after seven months following violent attack
It's 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. 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 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 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.
