The shopkeepers and gallerists of Maldon were in full flight as local ambassadors last weekend for an influx of visitors.

Embracing the aesthetic of the Goldfields Gothic festival, the local retailers went all out with dark decor, coffin cookies, extravagant attire and glamorous gear.

Maldon Takeway and the Gold Exchange went batty, there were eyes as well as pies at Maldon Bakery and Mutz Kutz was invaded by wild animal skellies.

The folk at Maldon Rose traded their trademark pink uniforms for black.

Karen and Peter from Cafe Maldon put in hours of effort to transform their space and themselves for the occasion and blended right into the festival crowd. Their dinner menu featured inventive names and dark combinations, while the fridge contained monsters, which is not usually the case.

For guests who took a walk through town, there were welcoming signs in chalk on the footpath, the smiling faces of Kaz (from Kazbah) and Samantha (from Eau Perfumery) and an eye-catching display at the other end created by Pure Gold.

With delightful weather and such dedicated, creative townsfolk, Maldon glowed its golden best.

See all the pictures in the issue.
This article appeared in Tarrangower Times, 8 August 2025.