Melbourne cafe owner closes shop following violent attacks

A cafe owner in Melbourne's inner city who was assaulted inside his own shop has closed his doors, saying he no longer feels safe.

Locals say they're fed up with violence and drug-use in Footscray.

Just seven months after opening Eleven: 11 cafe on Buckley Street, Moustafa Saoud is turning the lights off.

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"It's not worth it, to lose my life for," he told 9News.

"I'm not gonna be safe anymore. He's been back twice already."

His brother and business partner Alex Saoud agrees.

"We're here just to open business, work, make my life easy. Make my family happy, make the people around us happy.

"I don't need to make my mum, my dad upset, him upset. It's not safe."

One loyal customer said it's a loss for the locals.

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"He made the best coffee in Melbourne, and I'll stand by that," he told 9News.

"He was a pillar of the community, everyone gathered here. Now there's no place to gather."

Victoria Police says there are daily patrols around Footscray to prevent drug offending and antisocial behaviour.

It's a row of empty shops down part of Buckley Street and locals are worried the recent violence will deter new businesses from setting up here.

"It really reflects how badly people are feeling here, they're not safe," one woman told 9News.

"It's just disgusting, it shouldn't be happening."

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