Hot Topic - Why They're Hated

[@modernbusinesschannel]

How do you feel about Hot Topic?

[@piplupxpp]

team up with company man for a youtube video

[@kerberos2568]

dum

[@lgbtqiarights]

decent. got some sick ass care bears earrings there

[@macmillies237]

I miss the guy with three foot green spikes for hair and trip pants with more chains than dungeon

[@honeychubbs]

Used to shop at Hot Topic occasionally, the same time as you when Scene shit was popular when I was a teen. The band tees were cool and like you said you'd find new bands there alot but then I stopped going there all together right before they shifted towards pop and weeb culture I went in there for the first time in years in like 2020 and it's all Rick and Morty, The Office & Anime merch with a tiny section of band tees sitting next to the cheap ear plugs and some whack ass studded belts I was like "what the fuck happened here?" It felt like a Spencer's but less cool because there's no dildos, buttplugs & gag gifts like the really tiny condoms they sell there that I definitely don't have to use unironically to have safe sex

[@saran4783]

One of my favorite episodes of South Park is when the goth kids burn down Hot Topic to prevent the scene kids from becoming popular hahaha

[@eviljigglypuff2254]

"Burn burn down, burn down the Hot Topic"

[@ReactionHere]

Vampire kids

[@ridanann]

@@ReactionHere you mean emos lol

[@ReactionHere]

@@ridanann nah dude the episode is about vampire kids.

[@ridanann]

@@ReactionHere goth kids* who piss off the emo kids who smoke behind the school lol I'm deliberately confusing the three just liking that episode because I'm adult so goth emo vampire whatever all the same lol

[@Inspiration_Date]

I think the problem with Hot Topic is how much they've softened their image over time. Their new logo reflects that change. They started out as pandering to an underground, niche culture, then slowly evolved into a generic merch store. Hot Topic is a textbook example of how chasing trends can become a problem. If a trend becomes popular that doesn't reflect your store's previous image, then it comes off as jarring.

[@lyricxal2332]

Well said honestly

[@AntonyTheQ]

I think that their image has definitely softened over time, but it's just as described in the video. Hot topic just followed the trends, they didn't necessarily dictate them. Society evolves and things that are underground will usually come to the mainstream at some point. The generic merch they sell now is pretty much just a sign of the times. The general populace of alternative culture is interested in pop culture and geek culture while still sharing an interest in hardcore and classic metal music. I think Hot Topic is just a reflection of society, which is why they look softer. The rugged mysteriousness of 90's subcultures has eroded on its own, also becoming softer. I agree that it would be cool though if they still catered to the niche groups which are arguably smaller now than they were in the past: like having hardcore punk music, emo, goth, and metal music fandoms exclusively catered to. But also as said in the video, they are a business and they would just cease to exist if they didn't do what was best for business. I agree with the video that they do more good than harm because even nowadays hot topic is still the "disturbing alternative store in the mall" that parents hate. Their continued existence and popularity continues to bring people into the alternative culture. Its a stepping stone for 12 and 13 year olds to discover classic metal, punk rock, scene, goth, and emo music and culture. I think that is more valuable than catering too specifically to a smaller niche market.

[@ivangotyokes]

was always a merch store to me..

[@nerdstorma8427]

Trend chasing is ALREADY a problem. Ratchet and Clank used to be in a very similar position. Dry, witty, with cynical commentary on corporate consumerism with somewhat edgy characters. And over the years, it just became a pointless and poorly written line of exceedingly unfunny jokes. Even the new graphics aren't enough to flex cause the old game had it's own style, these new ones look like EVERY generic, bland, overly sanitized pixar movie ever. Which is already enough of a redundancy cause those movies are so horribly inbred by this point, anything past Frozen looks identical to eachother.

[@ovoxo7396]

Bruh it’s literally the name

[@lamiamoonshadow1104]

My mom was a bit of a bad girl before she had kids, so she didn't mind taking me through hot topic growing up. She may be all about flowers and butterflies now, but she'd always compliment me on my style choices and tell me how creative and fun the store's clothes were. The only thing she asked was that I wouldn't start hating her for no reason like the other kids during their teens lol

[@Wilson-obrien]

I wish my mom is that nice xD

[@Bakesterbaker]

Omg that's so cute lol

[@bripierce]

This is going to be me when my daughter is a teenager

[@BrainsofaWeirdArtist]

Aw thats funny

[@corbeaudejugement]

that's adorable

[@SpaceySodaPop]

Honestly, as someone who never really got to see them in their “best years”; the reason I strongly dislike Hot Topic is because they sell cheap items at high prices. I know many stores like it do similar things but it’s still extremely annoying. I enjoyed Hot topic a lot but as I got older, I finally noticed this problem (for obvious reasons) and just largely disliked them because of it. Like for example, I don’t wanna buy a cheap necklace for about $20 and have it easily break the second I slightly pull on it.

[@shirokira6513]

I've been there a few times but never bought anything. A simple skirt with okay-quality for 32$? Absolutely not. The trick is to browse and find things you like, then look them up online later. Usually you can find it for almost half the price.

[@SpaceySodaPop]

@@shirokira6513 Interesting- tysm for the advice! ✨

[@saltybutter9874]

honestly what bothers me is they changed what they sold and yet kept their prices. like hot topic at one point carried genuine leather ...

[@wervampz]

Looking for this exact comment!! It's frustrating that it feels like hottopic gets away with selling okay feeling fast fashion and charging 10x what they paid. You can find 90% of their skirts and dresses on drop shipping sites (not the same brand obviously, but same design) and hot topic gets so little pushback compared to other fast fashion businesses.(and if you want a hot topic like skirt that's actuallly good quality just find a creator on etsy to make it for you)

[@aperson2go497]

I once saw a pretty nice blazer for like $60 there once, I was not paying that much.

[@alphashadow8793]

I remember as a kid in the 2000s walking past Hot Topic in the mall and thinking it looked like the coolest place ever but knowing my mom would not like me to go in there, so I always wished I could go there one day when I was older. But by the time I was older, they had transitioned to selling pop culture stuff so I felt disappointed finally going in there to buy something for the first time and seeing it was no longer how it used to be.

[@mhm6]

They had the coolest skinny jeans in the mid 2000s

[@poptort2082]

That's exactly what happened to me it sucks

[@t_ylr]

I remember being 11 or 12 in the 2000s and being a little scared on the older scene kids and goths that worked there lol, but I always wanted to go. It has changed, but gen-z is totally different from millennials so it has to change. It's still a great place to buy t shirts.

[@alphashadow8793]

@@t_ylr yeah, I do have a few shirts I got from there a few years ago that I still wear

[@spliffyrodgers4266]

If you were worried about your mom not wanting you to go in their then you really had no buisness going in anyway tbh

[@JamesChessman]

There’s nothing more hardcore than making your mom bring you to Hot Topic haha

[@modernbusinesschannel]

Agreed

[@el_monki]

im hella late but me and my mom are both weird ppl she’s what got me into stuff at hot topic lol

[@atticusdrot8638]

My mom taking me to Hot Topic and saying I would probably like it

[@MM_Massacre]

Bro when I was younger and I went to Hot Topic, my mom would always come with me and sometimes buy stuff from there for herself 💀

[@CloudYAY2763]

She brung me yesterday 😋

[@crimsonritual]

These are general reasons why hot topic is “hated” but it ignores a core problem with hot topic and mainstream stores. They steal ideas, almost tracing over artwork all from indie artists, sometimes even working with indie artists, but they never give any credit or pay them (and if they do, it’s very little). It’s kinda sad that more stores and more celebrities keep doing this.

[@CornflakeMom]

Lmao this guy literally stole someone elses entire channel idea. Look up "Company Man"

[@crimsonritual]

@@CornflakeMom damn I had no idea 😞 youtube promoted this channel a lot thru my recommendations

[@CornflakeMom]

@@crimsonritual Yeah, the least this guy could do is credit Company Man for these stolen ideas or atleast improve the quality of the videos. But alas the era of content creators is overflooding which means were more likely to see these low effort channels that just make the laziest content to get by and make a few bucks.

[@lexyshannon9428]

@@CornflakeMom wait fr??

[@saphiriathebluedragonknight375]

@@CornflakeMom I thought this was a "Company Man" video, so I clicked and watched. This was poorly done compared to Company Man.

[@sushirabit5624]

I once went into a hot topic and the only thing I could remember about going there is that the main store clerk running in it had more rings covering his face than a sonic level

[@katlyndobransky2419]

Bruh 😭😂

[@pastelhotmess9299]

Lmaoooo

[@ChaosSonic6683]

Lmao

[@minana2785]

😂😂

[@OPGaming-hx4hb]

Bro that was the display case

[@JonathanX95xboxlive]

As someone who worked at Hot Topic in 2020 - we absolutely had competition. We were told that Spencer's, FYE and Gamestop (because of Funkos) were our competitors, any store that sold what we had was our competition was basically the gist of what was explained to me. The only other entertainment place we weren't basically shunned for visiting was Box Lunch, which is Hot Topic's brother/sister store.

[@Marylandbrony]

Gamestop is also a company that went from utterly despised being loved again, although i'm not sure what the people of superstonk are up to now.

[@thesheerwoodcrow5465]

Box lunch feels like the better of the two though.

[@TheAnimeAlliance]

GameStop sells High Vis Safety Clothing too?

[@ClulssCrs3310]

Hot Topic is known for clothes not DVD sales...

[@str1ped_b0y]

@@thesheerwoodcrow5465if your talking about geek culture merch that you can actually style without looking like a weird nerd then yes

[@nani4903]

i started shopping at hot topic right when they started shifting their key audience in 2015. i saw the whole transition happen in real time. even now there's such a big difference from the geeky era you mentioned, as they're starting to pander to more brighter forms of media (anime, disney and sanrio rather than comics and books) and mostly put the band shirts in the back of the stores. even the music in the stores have changed; you're more likely to hear more upbeat pop rock than the older screamo and metal music. while it's nice to see people (me included) get their fandom merchandise in a more accessible place, it feels like the original charm that made the store what it was is slowly being washed out every year. it's a bittersweet change. (I guess a bright side to this is that parents would be more inclined to come in with their kids though lol)

[@SaturnDahlia]

In my local hot topic they still play “emo” music, but the majority of the store is Harry Potter stuff, supernatural stuff, anime and funko pops. The alt culture stuff has all been pushed into one little corner in the back where all the tshirts are and a few earrings and hair dye in one glass case in the middle. The store feels like a ghost of what it used to be lol

[@nani4903]

@@SaturnDahlia mhm, it's usually all near or in the clearance section too. it feels surreal

[@SaturnDahlia]

@@nani4903 I wonder if in different locations there is more or less of certain items depending on the local scene. Like if there’s more of a market towards alternative styles such as emo or gothic, do they supply more of that to stores in those locations? It probably wouldn’t be all that hard to calculate for them, they just have to compare their online orders to the store locations.

[@johnindigo5477]

I wonder how nu metal fans felt about the changes in the early 2000s.

[@artoriasoftheabyss1575]

emo is dead time to move on

[@InKedEi8hT]

Hot topic was a key piece of my life as a goth kid in the early 2000s. Tripp pants, quality spiked leather bracelets and chokers, full-finger rings. I remember the transition to the current model happening while I was in college and walking up to a recently remodeled store that was so…bright and “welcoming”. It felt like a betrayal. I hated the change and stopped going in for the longest time. Now I’ll go in on occasion just to see what they have, and even though I’m no longer that goth kid, there’s still a little bit of that resentful feeling for it not being like it was.

[@Crowski]

Yeah it's nothing but anime now. There's some band shirts but none like back in the day. I used to be able to find Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, etc there.... not anymore LOL

[@ariadnameza6594]

Man this just happened to me too, hot topic a few years ago had a lot of emo band merch, video games merch and ghibli stuff that I couldn’t find in my country. So when I went to the us and found a store I was ecstatic, now I come back this year and find it almost all replaced for anime merch and the store a lot less gloomy looking and a lot more industrial style. It hit me like a brick that they don’t have the stuff I liked because basically I’m not in trend anymore 😭😭, ya’ll nasty.

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

@@Crowski That's what I miss the most---the band shirts. Their selection today is pathetic. (Jan Griffiths).

[@Forbiddensirenz]

You summed it up perfectly. That’s exactly how I’ve felt about it. I’m certainly not emo or could really be considered “alternative” anymore. But I still like my dark clothing and harder music. But far from outlandish like back in the day. Even so, just feels resentful they changed. Now my daughter likes going there to get her anime stuff and pop culture crap. Makes me think “Is this how the boomers feel?” Everything you knew has changed and is now shitty like they betrayed you, and they’re mad about it haha.

[@LegendStormcrow]

Meanwhile the associates tell you that you're wrong for feeling that way.

[@ideologybot4592]

"People who were into alternative music felt like they were just capitalizing on what was trendy, and making money from it." Store is literally called HOT TOPIC. Thank you for your sanity in seeing this.

[@kandy1643]

It was called hot topic to be ironic, because being alternative back then was not the hot topic lol

[@whitecreamymilk8436]

@@kandy1643 this! The issue with hot topic is there is no longer a "alternative" Alt isn't a thing anymore

[@demolitionluvr]

@@kandy1643 yeah, im not sure why people cant understand that lol

[@yourresume373]

@@whitecreamymilk8436 I think the issue with hot topic is we’ve outgrown it. It’s the younger generation’s turn to shop there and enjoy their merchandise. It no longer caters to you, because you are an adult, and it tends to cater to kids and teens.

[@whitecreamymilk8436]

@@yourresume373 yes I agree naked women shirts and shirts with corpses are for kids. God you child. Band shirts? Only for kids. Let modern kids get their Rick and Marty and game of thrones in peace. You fly in from stupid town?

[@Shlongli01]

Lol I once went to hot topic with my mom and she looked at me all worried and asked "do you really like all this devilish stuff?" She is highly religious and thought that hot topic was demonic. After we left she told me that she never wanted to go back there again. Even tho she hates Alternative things, she still respects me for who I am and tries to understand me little by little.

[@OmegaRedFan]

Is it cool if I dip my finger in chocolate paste and I let your dog lick it?

[@morbiddiathesis4428]

*though

[@Mr_Mistah]

Hot Topic is definitely demonic

[@shuavemente7374]

To be fair im sure there were prolly many anime demon depictions in there

[@cheyennec5546]

Dude that was my aunt and cousin but surprisingly enough my cousin admitted later on that while shocked, Goth Hot Topic was how she got into rock & metal 😂

[@Phoenixfeather-ve9ru]

As a hot topic employee, I dont mind my job at all. Sure theres every down fall to a retail job, shitty customers, revising the store, having to pick up after people, etc. but the place im at is well managed, great coworkers, and a pretty fun place to work at. The only thing i have against hot topic atm is how there toooo much fandom merch. They need more just alt clothes and not have all their clothes branded. And if i get another fucking disney stitch merch in shipment im going to loose my fucking mind. Honestly thats another issue is have, theres soooooooooo much disney shit. Like an ungodly amount. Just bring in some more unbranded clothes, accessories, etc and ill be fine

[@InkfinityOkamix3]

How many people actually buy the Disney stuff? I really wanna know lol

[@CactusCandy]

@@InkfinityOkamix3 I worked at Box Lunch (which is owned by the same company that owns Hot Topic), and we sold so much Disney stuff. SO MUCH. Like, half of all the stuff we got on truck was from Disney IPs, half the store was covered in Disney merch, and half the customers came in to buy said Disney stuff. Disney is pretty popular with the mainstream crowd, regardless of age. I'm assuming Hot Topic is pretty similar.

[@desireea.thomas2419]

@@InkfinityOkamix3, Hi Hun and I do 🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️They have become one of my only stores (besides Torrid, but they’re too expensive) to carry DISNEY PLUS SIZE “ANYTHING” and there prices are Good, not great, but good. Sure there are some Great sales every now and again, but over all there clothing prices for plus size/fluffy women like ME is pretty good and there Quality is not bad either. This is coming from a mother of 4 Grown adult children and a Grandmother of 8 & I’m STILL cuter than most 57 years young girls 😉😉😉 So there you have it 😀👍🏼😀👍🏼😀👍🏼😀👍🏼

[@champagneproblemz]

fellow hot topic employee sick of stitch merch LOL

[@Phoenixfeather-ve9ru]

@@InkfinityOkamix3 Honestly they sell pretty well, im just tired of seeing it LMAO I dont mind people buying it but it almost feels like it’s becoming a disney based store. Again, I think some more unbranded alt clothing would do the place much better just because people dont want all their clothes to be branded. Tho we have this lady come in and buy like one of every disney bag in existence. I cant tell is she collects them or buys and sells them because alot of times she completely clears out our clearance and gets duplicates of the bags. Its kinda interesting to watch and it does our store good so i dont mind at all LMAO

[@starlesspaw]

honestly hot topic was such a vibe in the early 2010s i worked there and it was super chill, manager let us listen to our own music, there was a decent balance of traditional hot topic and shelves of adventure time figurines and need shit. there was something so genuinely sweet on black friday and around the holidays when confused parents and grandparents would come and all lost and confused to shop for their teenage loved one

[@sherriv4860]

Ahaha! I saw that recently during the holidays! The parents were so confused and even asked me for an opinion 😅

[@BrainsofaWeirdArtist]

Hah

[@Azakamak2401]

"Even if they were next door to a place like Spencer's Gifts, I still believe Hot Topic would thrive." You are 100% correct on that. The local mall near where I live has had a Hot Topic literally right next to a Spencer's for well over a decade now and they've both done fine as well as I know.

[@caiusmadison2996]

*Gadzooks, however ... the Spencer's we no longer have, did not make it, despite having way higher quality it's than either or the remaining stores.

[@mypeachmyplum7344]

yep same two of the only stores left in our shitty ass mall and they’re two totally different stores tbh

[@victorconway444]

Pretty much every mall I go to seems to have a Hot Topic and Spencers facing each other like a mexican standoff. I prefer Spencer’s personally. They haven’t sanitized their image quite like Hot Topic, it honestly does still feel like traveling back in time to the late 90s/early 2000s in all its edgy glory.

[@aff77141]

Almost every time I've been to a mall with both, they're pretty much always literally within sight of each other LMAO, I think it's because, as someone that buys from both, what happens is the customer will, depending on their personality, spend most of their money on one, and then go over to the other store to have a peak and maybe get a novelty item

[@rybreadart]

Spencer's and zumiez vs hot topic where i am is insane. They're all in the same building but I'd go broke anywhere besides hot topic

[@maaediel]

As a Spencers employee, I think that this is exactly one of the reasons why Spencers has continued to be successful even if it’s not as successful as hot topic, because we still cater to that audience that has been left behind by hot topic’s adaptability. The customers of hot topic are constantly changing but the customers of Spencers come in and say that they’ve been coming in since they were 15 years old and it’s still where they like to go. We adapt as well in a certain way but they try to remain true to that core alternative value instead of chasing whatever is popular. It’s funny that people don’t notice their name is literally hot topic and they sell whatever the “Hot Topic” is And for anyone wondering if Spencers and hot topic have a bad relationship at least the one that I work out we also have a hot topic in the mall and we’re good friends with them

[@bellebellebellebellebelle]

i also work at spencers and i wholeheartedly agree. my store has no beef with our hot topic and we actually send people over there all the time (and they do the same for us!!). idk why people think there’s competition, people go to hot topic and spencers for different products :))

[@aniquinstark4347]

Spencers is still very fun. I get a T shirt almost every time I walk in because they're cheap and have funny prints.

[@ocinidolegna]

In high school, i kind of thought of spencers as the adult hot topic (cause of the back section) once i stopped mixing the two up lol

[@elfenrot1911]

i always find good stuff at spencer’s, especially gothic type styles! it’s way better than hot topic imo!

[@eladrinecho]

I've worked for both and Spencer's was definitely the more positive environment 😊 I loved my coworkers at HT but Spencer's treated customers and employees better than HT did. HT was just corrupt af

[@drparsley2272]

“I’d give everything just to walk through those gates one more time” is the truest statement that brought back so much yearning and nostalgia I didn’t realize I had been harboring. While I was suffering through my angst of adolescence, I didn’t even realize how special it was. Or how quickly it was flying by. It seems like yesterday I was dragging my bassoon on and off a bus, with 6” stacks, and fishnets. Now I have a son going into high school that thinks I’m old, and I know nothing.

[@daughterofsekhmet81]

Aahhh Hot Topic. One opened up in our mall back in 1996 during the height of my goth phase and I still remember my jaw dropping the first time I went in. They had Manic Panic makeup and theater-quality fake fangs, real leather spiked collars, actual good quality goth clothes, all kinds of stuff I'd only ever seen in magazines. Before that I had to make my own outfits, make do with crappy halloween makeup, and beg my mom to drive me 40 miles to the ONE goth/punk store in the big city and hope she was feeling generous that day 😂 Hell, it was hard to even find black nail polish back then. All the small town 90s goths know the struggle, HT was a godsend for us! It's pretty much unrecognizable now though, it's mostly weeb stuff, pop culture, and overpriced trend chaser clothes now. Kinda makes me sad even though I'm not goth anymore. I'm just a boring suburban mom now, but I always get a little spark of joy whenever I see goth kids. I hope they have as much fun exploring their style as I did at their age 🖤

[@Pipzip.]

this comment was just so sweet to read

[@erikkibler3466]

Very well put

[@lexyshannon9428]

This was the sweetest comment Ive ever read omg

[@kayduval3825]

I loved reading this comment, it's so sweet!

[@ilysm.6642]

You’ve gotta be the coolest mom ever man.

[@not_zippy]

When I was in middle school (and an emo), hot topic was THE place to get alt fashion for cheap (or at least cheaper than other alt retailers, which were mostly only available online). Now, you’re lucky to find ONE My Chemical Romance shirt among the sea of mainstream rapper and pop singer merch. There is no issue with stores carrying these things, but it has overtaken the only place that carried alternative fashion and merch. I still dress mildly alternative, and it’s so irritating to have to get everything from online retailers now that my local hot topic is basically now just Zumiez with some anime merch.

[@graaaaaaaaaaaaaaace]

What are you talking about 😂? 1/3 of Hot Topic's band shirts are still pop-punk alt bands. I work in the same mall as one, and go check in it on my breaks, they have 5 shelves just dedicated to MCR shirts. There's some pop singers and rappers, sure, but the vast majority of bandom being carried is alt bands, both classic rock kind and mid2000s.

[@not_zippy]

@@graaaaaaaaaaaaaaace Maybe it depends on the location? I know the one near me definitely isn’t like that. There’s a small section for the usual hot topic band merch, but the wall that used to be dedicated to bands like nirvana, my chem, and fall out boy is now only rapper and pop artist merch. I went in there recently to find a my chemical romance shirt for a friend, and only found 1 and it wasn’t his size.

[@graaaaaaaaaaaaaaace]

@@not_zippy Chances are they probably sold out then. People in your area might be faster at grabbing them & know when things get restocked. Holidays got major holds on shipping too, so it could've been low shipments.

[@KaiDecadence]

@@not_zippy Definitely depends on location. The one wherE I live, I haven't been in for quite some time but the last time I went into my local Hot Topic which had to be in like 2017, they didn't have all that many alternative band tees, it was a lot of pop and hip-hop artists. There's some rock but not as much as there used to be.

[@hyd3979]

same here! it was so much cooler back then now it's hard to find things I like

[@Valentaein]

I love Hot Topic, it’s the first store I want to visit whenever I go to USA. I understand the feeling of not wanting your fandom or whatever is that you’re into to become so mainstream, but as a collector and music, movies and pop culture enthusiast, I love that they make merch accessible and that you can find something related to pretty much whatever you like.

[@jdgx95]

I worked seasonal at a hot topic recently and I’m constantly amazed at how slow people can be at realizing the store has changed ..so often I’d hear some fat guy with a beard go “man this place used to be cool and sell NOFX shirts” or have people in genuine disbelief that we hadn’t sold three days Grace shirts in a long time ….makes me wonder though with the frequency I heard people complaining gotta wonder if a throwback hot topic ish store with some updates would work sure seems like a underserved market and nostalgia is powerful

[@differentlyabledmuslimjewi4475]

im telling you, its going to make a comeback. The kind of "emo" era is being looked upon better by the day with hindsight. It may be a bit reductionist, but all you have to do is keep a tab on the opinions people hold about the song "welcome to the black parade" and see how people are warming back up to it, even snobbish people who reviled it when it was first released. Kind of interesting. I honestly think Hot Topic themselves would probably reshift back to a cleaner version of it. Being edgy these days won't fly even for hot topic. Too much internal politics in the culture. But I think online stores will bypass that filter and maybe have isolated individual stores if we are lucky. What they need is exclusive sales for clothes to avoid the amazon monolith.

[@EyeOfTheDragon101]

Hot Topic was a store that my mom never let me go in. When I got my first part time job in my early teens-it was one of the first stores I went to. I loved the band bracelets, the warped tour CDs (my parents wouldn't let me go), band tees, and all of the alternative accessories. Finally being able to shop at Hot Topic represented personal freedom and expression.

[@nerdgeekcosplay909]

My mom didn’t allow me nor my sisters to shop there till we turned 13

[@blackcatstudios1207]

It's one of the only places where I haven't felt crippling social anxiety. I've only been going there a couple years but they have comfortable shirts for shows that almost no one watches and the employees are always friendly and eager to talk about anime or animated shows or stupid British tv I'm weirdly obsessed with. I feel bad for people who miss the old hot topic but at the same time I'm glad it's changed since it's the only place outside of my home where I feel safe enough to be myself

[@Skycrusher]

What a selfish one-dimensional take. God you're a terrible human being.

[@RuffledOnTime]

As a current teen, I can attest that I and others who shop there really value hot topic, because it's surprisingly hard to find merch for specific fandoms that is high quality and legal.

[@katandstar154]

I believe I went there once and found a toy Freddy sweatshirt with the lil top hat on it lol I still like going there, it’s nice to find some anime shirts every once in a while

[@mikloridden8276]

It’s not even high quality you can easily find high quality Fandom shirts online from superior brands like Primitive clothing or Hypland. Hot topic has really bad quality shirts and products, they can’t just slap a crappy sticker on everything and expect it to sell

[@RuffledOnTime]

@@mikloridden8276 bro, they sell sweatshirts for like 80$ and dont have nearly the same selection as hot topic. Maybe I should've included affordable and practical in my initial comment.

[@bungiecrimes7247]

@@mikloridden8276 there's always that guy...

[@mikloridden8276]

@@bungiecrimes7247 Like not even trying. To be “that guy” but you get what you pay for. Pay 10 more dollars and you get a shirt with good material and integrity. It ain’t everyone’s cup of tea but the option is there

[@eladrinecho]

I love how you pointed out that Spencer's and HT are targeting different crowds. I've worked for both and didn't go a day without people calling one the other or trying to use coupons and loyalty accounts in the wrong store like the name isnt everywhere. They couldn't have been more different, but people struggle so hard to separate the two. Always weirded me out that sex toy and gag gift store that sells t-shirts could be confused with the emo Disney store. One targets 20 somethings that love popculture and parties. The other targets teens and kids that like anime and music.

[@llyn5759]

I mean to be fair, they both have a shit ton of band shirts, weird candles, vinyl lingerie, body jewelry, and random bags and purses lol

[@lapislazarus8899]

Emo Disney Store! I love it🤣🥰👍🏻

[@catwithcr0cs]

emo disney store is so spot on lmao i remember walking into a hot topic in LA and finding nothing but anime, disney, and harry potter merch

[@I_WANT_MY_SLAW]

I thought they were literally the same store. Because at our mall, we have stores that are the exact same thing, but with different names. Like there's a giant Burlington Coat Factory on the first floor. And directly above it, is a giant Cohoes. And they are both the same store. And at the same mall, there's Marshalls and TJ Maxx right above it. Same store.

[@WendyJoJohnston]

I was the mom who was cool with Hot Topic, I enjoyed my time there with my daughters. I happily paid for their picks, as I knew they would actually wear the clothes, not just store them in drawers and wear their raggedy old clothes. I really like the fingerless mitts and had several pairs of my own! Hot Topic rawks, I love it!

[@crispychipzzz_official]

you are the mother everyone loves. (/p)

[@tylerasada2908]

Eh it’s mid to me

[@ThreadBomb]

@@tylerasada2908 Life is mid.

[@CoffeeQueen707]

Last time I went to Hot Topic it literally made me sad. It feels like so much has changed even from 2015 to now. It was a small location, but basically all they had was Disney, anime, and like cottagecore/kawaii pastel stuff. The endless box of pins was basically empty. I do like the things I listed, but as I said to my friend that day, it's just not what I go specifically to Hot Topic for

[@KaiDecadence]

Oh man the jar of pins... I forgot about those LOL I used to spend minutes just digging in them for Happy Bunny and band pins to put on my messenger bag. I totally forgot that the last time I went to Hot Topic back in 2017, they no longer had those jars anymore.

[@kithalie]

I actually love the kawaii stuff but that's me. Not many stores cater to that but yeah I do miss the old hot topic, they would never put sanrio stuff in their store like they tend to do now. Now people with alternative style dont have many choices like before.

[@nekomantix598]

Right! I think the same thing

[@buzzedmedia6795]

My local hot topic is majority Disney like who wants that 😭

[@sigurdtheblue]

@@kithalie I always felt like Sanrio was on the edge between alternative and mainstream.

[@PrettyDeadNightmare]

The first time I walked into a Hottopic was early 2000’s. And I remember feeling at home. The dark gloomy like atmosphere. loud metal/punk music playing. The music magazines, they even had a Japanese magazine which introduced me into whole new world of fashion/music in a different language. I got into visual kei because of that. I do miss the old Hottopic when it was more focused on music. But I understand it is a business and they will want to evolve as the trends change. Visit your local alternative stores if you can. I live in a small city and luckily there a few locally owned stores that cater to the more alternative scene.

[@SlimeBlueMS]

It feels homey, that's basically how I can sum it up

[@seanmichael8744]

Growing up in the 90s and being into the skater punk scene I was among the Hot Topic haters...I got my music and merch from small record stores...it was a lifestyle and when kids would go to Hot Topic and come to school the next day looking completely different it felt like a slap in our face lol

[@Curryboy8869]

I LOVED Hot Topic in my teenage years (late 90s). I loved it so much that I ended up getting a job there. I worked my way up the ladder and eventually became a store manager. I will always say this about my time there: when it was fun, it was fun. BUT, when I started having personal problems and what would today be considered mental health issues (due to being placed in a higher volume store that didn't have the square footage to support the merchandise we were given), Hot Topic decided to put me on probation and then fired me three days before Christmas in 2010. I haven't stepped into HT since that day, to the point that I RARELY will even go into a mall anymore.

[@nonny3436]

My store has a team full of mentally ill people and physically ill people and we make a large effort to work with everyone. I'm so sorry that happened to you. I think it really depends on your managers and district manager.

[@erickluviano981]

That’s how companies are now a days tho. They’re expecting so much more while giving out the bare mininum and hardly showing any appreciation for employees

[@pingus9934]

@@erickluviano981 idk. Being promoted to manager shows some appreciation to an employee

[@princessmarlena1359]

My at the time roommate worked for them. They were/are abusive bullies and treat employees (including store managers) like dirt. He got fired for taking time to go to a close family member’s funeral.

[@jcseth2047]

i worked there recently aswell and i would work 5-6 hour shifts and wasnt even given 10 minutes of a break because they said "it was too busy" this place is no longer a fun place to work or be they are just profiting off anyone they can and was very illegel my coworkers would be throwing up sick because they were hungry and werent given breaks and werent sent home instead they were told to deal with it i only worked there for a month before i walked out cause i couldnt take it anymore

[@Alu_kardd]

As a representative of the young “emo” community, I completely understand why some people don’t like Hot Topic. Hot Topic has indeed changed a lot from what it was, it focuses more on pop culture than it does goth/punk. I own a solid amount of hot topic clothes and sure enough some of them don’t feel as quality as others, but it’s not really bad enough to complain about. Sure, you’ll get an impassable find every once in a while, and I do agree Hot Topic products are a bit overpriced. Then again, my local store has way more quality merchandise and a better selection. Most of the walls are band shirts(Metallica, Iron Maiden, etc.) and they have a hefty amount of nice jewelry. Most of my stuff still looks like I just bought it recently.

[@ElizabethMidfordHatesCops]

I had the graphic on one of my shirts completely come off in the wash, and now if I ever get a shirt from Hot Topic, I simply do not wash it. R.I.P to my Mystic Messenger shirt. You will be missed.

[@Alu_kardd]

@@ElizabethMidfordHatesCops I have a few shirts with slightly faded graphics but they still hold up fairly well

[@Alu_kardd]

@@thotslayer9914 It literally translates to Joseph Joestar

[@baalmolech]

I still remember the first black fingerless gloves I ever bought at that store. I was always afraid of going there because everyone in my small Midwest town said it was satanic. I loved those gloves so much I think I even wore them to sleep. Sadly this was right around the time where they stopped selling black leather and spike studded accessories and started selling colorful nick cartoons instead. Childhood was awesome, though.

[@MaynardCrow]

Razorfist?

[@kianna270]

I’m grateful for hot topic. Made my little alt teen self that was always nervous, feel a little more accepted. My dad would take me there and we would look at red hot chili pepper shirts and look at all the other weird stuff and it’s some of my fondest memories of being a teen. They definitely helped a lot of alt teens feel more accepted & like they had a place to shop.

[@Racc00nR1ck]

I think giving employees tickets to shows, while expecting a report on fashion, is a really cool idea any fashion-related business should adopt.

[@kanrakitty]

that's what I was thinking! I wonder if they still have this today, because how cool would it be to go to a concert for free? I would totally work there

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

Same. I wonder if they took pics of what show goers were wearing to go along with that report. Would be easy enough. (Jan Griffiths).

[@madidezirae]

I absolutely loved Hot Topic as a kid. I've been alt since birth. My mom would take me there sometimes, and I always loved it. The Tripp pants, the gorgeous dresses, the jewelry including plugs and different piercing jewelry, all of the beautiful band shirts, CDs and magazines and posters. It really was about the music, and that's one of their core values. It did change a bit as I grew up, and I eventually got a job there. Working there was really fun. But honestly, there has been such a large change in the things Hot Topic cares about. It's almost like they've completely abandoned all of the customers they got throughout the years by changing their merchandise and overall founding purpose. Over the years, they've become so catered to what's popular in the mainstream. Alt band shirts replaced with rapper shirts and pop icon shirts. Tripp pants, leather boots replaced with quirky skinny jeans and low ride slip ons. A TON of media merchandise like popular shows and movies. Dark clothes replaced with bright items. But the most hurtful for me, was no more posters. No more band magazines. No more plugs and piercing jewelry. And no. More. CDS. I think the most damning thing for me of Hot Topic's transition was that for a long time, their slogan was, "All about the music". You can't even buy CD'S or band magazines there anymore. They still have the HT foundation that donations go to support music programs. But it's a real snub to the music industry that you built your business on to not even carry their CD's, or magazines that feature new artists. Not to mention, I have never heard anything about the bands seeing any profit for their shirts being sold there. On top of that, getting rid of piercing jewelry is absolutely a hit for any previous customers. I know a lot of people that could only get good body jewelry locally aside from at a tattoo shop was from Hot Topic. And now that's disappearing. Further, from what I can tell through the past years, and from what I've been told. Hot Topic is seriously losing business. Both my long time location and the smaller location near where I live now have shut down. On my last visit there, they were selling everything. Even the print images from the band shirt cases. There was hardly 4 racks of clothes in the store. I asked what was going on, and I was told that they're having a lot of issues with their supplier. But honestly, I think that's a huge cover for the fact that their business is suffering. Last thing I'll mention, they did end up stealing a lot of artwork from indie designers, and that's probably biting them in the ass, too.

[@HinodeHinansho]

I remember shopping at Hot Topic in the 90's with my dad. He actually liked the store and bought some shirts from there. I remember some older women commenting on that "devilish store" but me and my father would laugh at them as we walked in. While my nostalgia wishes for all those changes they have made in recent times to go away, I'm not hateful that they are more into Funko Pops than music tees and CDs. Change is a part of life. I won't forget how influential that store was on my life. I am not that core demographic anymore, (I am in my 40's after all) but I bought a cool Persona 5 shirt from there a couple years back-so even now I can still see some value in that business.

[@ladyindigo3672]

Im one of those fans who appreciates Hot Topic for giving me access to the alternative community too. I used to resent Hot Topic for carrying My Little Pony stuff when it was popular haha because I saw Hot Topic as the emo store. But as an adult, I realize now that they're staying with the trends and what's popular with teens. It was the same thing they've been doing since I started shopping there as a teen. So no hate, appreciate their business strategy.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

Yeah when I was a teen in the 90s, it was all rock stuff. Now I take my kid in for her anime fix. No worries though, it's just a fun (if expensive) store.

[@giselletorres4156]

I spent the majority of my teens HATING everything trendy but at the end of the day that made me a miserable person. I spent my youth gatekeeping and hating rather than enjoying what I like. I still dress fabulously goth but I do love all the Strawberry themed stuff and Cottagecore, not because it's trending but because it's cute.

[@jessco8950]

“I don’t think anyone hated hot topic more than my mom” is a statement we can all relate to lmao my mom just didn’t like it because it was expensive

[@kimackerman2183]

Unfortunately I never got to experience Hot Topic in its "best years" I don't visit the store as often as I used to, but to me I see that it's grown as a business. Especially since there's everything for everyone while still maintaining that alternative feel.

[@angeladonohue4592]

I love HotTopic for what it is and always was... An up-kept trend store. After all that is why it is called HotTopic. Back in the mid 90's my dad and brother nicknamed it, "The Goth store." In a way I miss the old HotTopic, but I am really glad they have succeeded and kept up with the trending times. I still shop there and continue to invest my money and time. The one thing I really miss is when they sold medieval dresses. I discovered once that a medieval dress I bought for $80 was really worth $500 in another store in the same mall; a Wicca store. The very same dress made by the same fashion designers.

[@gxtmfa]

Thanks for the tip- I had no clue they had Ren faire attire for cheap. I still thought they were goth

[@LosHitman]

Weird cuz nowadays hot topic is way too overpriced

[@LightYagami-xl1wz]

@@gxtmfa But the Renaissance came after the Middle Ages?

[@pharaoh6977]

Hottopic probably just made the knockoff version of the the real dress which is why it was cheap when you bought it. They have a habit if stealing art.

[@jamesbaker3153]

Kinda just passed by the tip of the spiritualist scam iceberg and chalked it up to Hot Topic having deals. The Wiccan store had a quintuple markup because they sell things to people who believe they can cast spells.

[@pointly]

My dad would buy Disturbed, Metallica, or Slaver CDs and band shirts from there. He'd go in dressed in a blue polo and blue jeans, sticking out like a sore thumb, and leave with cool stuff for himself and his wife. I remember walking around and looking at the albums of bands and he'd point out different metal bands he knew and say, "I remember when they started out," which embarrassed me at 15 or 16 but I miss those days. I got into metal bands because of my Dad as well as grunge and alternative rock. But he also called Hot Topic a "Devil Store" because of the pentagrams and such. But I think he knew it was a fashion trend and he would laugh at some of clothing styles. Great times!

[@hackwrench5583]

Something that you missed. A few years ago, some artists who'd posted art to DeviantArt, found their work stolen and being sold at Hot Topic. It caused a bit of a stir with accusations being thrown at Hot Topic for stealing the art, and DeviantArt for selling the art. Both DeviantArt and Hot Topic responded, with DeviantArt denying that they sell art to Hot Topic, and Hot Topic denying that they steal art, giving the excuse that their merchandise is licensed and approved through third party vendors.

[@alyssad4963]

I thought that's what this video was going to about when he kept mentioning why people hate the store now. Screaming at my phone "They steal art!" But I was surprised by the actual answer lol

[@OmegaRedFan]

Welcome to the oligarchy

[@lil_villian5124]

I'd love to have a store that caters only to the metal scene. Only metal. Everything metal. The walls lined up with band t shirts of all kinds of differents of different subgenres. Cd's, vinyls, cassettes, patches, posters/flags, accessories, etc. Ranging from the 70's to even the newest of bands. Of course it wouldn't be easy to keep a place like this in business, but I'd love to see like this at least once somewhere. To make searching for underground metal merch soley online a thing of the past. A place for metalheads a like to meet. That would be the dream \m/. (If anyone knows a place like this that exists pls let me know. I'd drive miles just to see it.)

[@RayTheClown69]

Dude same.

[@monikaradzaj7407]

I agree!

[@sitarules1722]

I wish there's a store like that

[@cryptcryptici8004]

There is a store, in Pennsylvania, it is called angry, young and poor. So great they are on line also, all the merch you need, no poser stuff, authentic since early ninety's...

[@kmartfan32]

there are usually some pop-up or small thrift shops that cater to more punk or metal themes but I've only ever noticed them in bigger cities :(

[@user-ajisgoofy]

fun fact: my mom made me go in there with HER. when I was little we were at a mall, my mother who was still young and into that stuff went into hot topic. I fell in love at the age of like 2 ☠ we never went again though cause she didn’t enjoy them anymore after they started catering to “anime fashion”

[@Neopets4Life494]

Hot Topic was literally my only avenue of getting Kingdom Hearts shirts 12 years ago. While it feels strange to see the store evolve since then, they always have something of interest. If any ya'll bought the Kingdom Hearts sillybands I'll have you know I still got mine 🤣

[@Reekumon]

It's where I got my KH shirt when I was a kid. Still love it

[@TheIinLiyzz]

Yooooo same here bro, I tell people all the time "back in my day you coukd only get KH merch in Hot Topic lol i even had the silly bandz"

[@Elvirabg]

I got my aunt to buy me a kingdom hearts keychain. I think it was Sora's

[@DoodleyDoodah]

I still have my shirt from when I was like 17 lol

[@InkfinityOkamix3]

Still got my KH shirts from there. A little faded but still got it

[@hawktalon7890]

I'm glad the 2000's era merchandise is slowly but surely coming back. I rarely go in there anymore, but when I do I don't often see anyone buying most of the fandom stuff. [Mostly stealing the button pins, or the cheap polishes and perfumes.]

[@thekatprincess]

I stepped foot into the Hot Topic of my hometown mall Dec 1, 2022, and I was utterly disappointed and a little nostalgic because of their LACK of piercing jewelry. That used to be one of my GO TO places for my stretched ear jewelry and jewelry for my septum and double helix. There and Spencer’s, and back in 2014 HT was actually beating Spencer’s in the stretched ear jewelry market. In 2022, the three display cases they had used for piercing jewelry, all turned into basic ass 20g lobe jewelry (regular earrings). Trendy “witchy” and tv show related regular earrings and necklaces. I was like “Where are the plugs?! The tapers?! The tunnels?!!!” They LITERALLY only had one of each-so maybe 5 tunnels and plugs, all at size 1/2 lmaooo I walked right out and found that Spencer’s (thank goodness) stayed the same, still had a HUGE selection of piercing jewelry at all kinds of sizes and styles, in three or four of those rotating displays with four walls of jewelry. I got like 4 packs of septum jewelry with 3-4 unique pieces in each pack❤️‍🔥

[@cow6irl699]

Ironically, I didn't get into Hot Topic until after I became a mom. I had my first kid and 18 so I felt like my youth was slipping away from me. When I went to hot topic I couldn't believe what I was missing. Now I'm addicted.

[@sgtmuffinbadger6147]

What lol. I remember turning 16 and seeing through this place and it's marketing scam. Then disowned it

[@xjudertheduder8364]

I was fortunately lucky enough to have a mother who was in that scene when I was a little kid. Like, I have SUCH vivid memories of going into that store and seeing all the Gir merch and wanting it so bad while also enjoying the music they played. I was like 5 LMAO. My mom is the reason why I am apart of the Emo/Alt scene, because SHE was in it too and introduced me into the things she liked. I'm grateful for it!!! I enjoy this community a lot. Personal opinion: I think Hot Topic is still pretty good, my entire range of clothing is all from there lmao. Although it's changed over the years into a more fandom based, soft corporate madhouse, I think it's still a charming and a great store to buy from. Nostalgia from what it used to be is a big part of change, and in the end It's good that we have those fond memories.

[@176gumi]

are u like 11💀

[@gingercat1028]

@@176gumi Why does it matter?

[@mecca6801]

Go and thank your mother for being freaking awesome sauce!!!

[@jaketheripper7385]

My mom hated Hot Topic... At first. However once she got used to the idea that I was into it and not changing any time soon, she would succumb to being dragged through the store with me. At first she was pretty uncomfortable, but honestly all of the credit to her accepting the idea has to go to the employees. She would always tell me that she found the Hot Topic employees to be more kind, helpful, and polite than any other retail outlet in the mall, or otherwise for that matter. She would always talk about how "those people" used to scare her until she had the opportunity to actually speak to them, and come to accept the fact that her son was indeed one of them. It didn't take long for her to actually begin to look forward to shopping there lol. She even started learning employees names and would always remember them when we would stop in. They would always look forward to our visits about as much as we did really. I'm 32 now and I still stop in from time to time... Every once in a while I'll come across a band shirt that I like or a few new pairs of jeans or something. It's true that they aren't what they used to be, but there are remnants throughout the store of the days of old...

[@Undead_Rvbbit]

I’m a Hot Topic Store Manager and this was actually pretty cool to watch. When I get customers complaining that “Hot Topic isn’t the same” I have to catch my eyes before they roll out of my head. YES, WE GET IT. I also miss the “old” hot topic. But it’s a business and the name says it all. From an employee aspect, the way we felt as kids freakin stoked to get the new band tee and like someone could actually understand us, that’s how these kids feel getting the new anime tee and edgy skirt. Hot Topic changing may bother the older generations but seeing kids discover themselves through what I’ve got in store is where the consistency of the business lies. Regular customers (kids) will come in more and more fashionable and confident every time because they have discovered their style. (It’s bad ass to see Trans kids/young adults feel confident in clothes that help them more comfortable with transition too!) So yeah, I wish we had more band tees, were more music focused and still had Tripp jeans but here we are and it’s still pretty cool for the new kids.

[@mecca6801]

you had me at Tripp Jeans

[@seanf6968]

@@mecca6801 you lost me at trans kids

[@tokuko9027]

@@seanf6968 Why? (Not being rude just curious)

[@seanf6968]

@@tokuko9027 we are focused on feelings instead of realities. Just cuz I feel like a woman doesn’t make me one. And also just cuz you made me feel a certain way saying something doesn’t mean it’s wrong and shouldn’t be said

[@Bidney96]

I was a scene kid in the early 2010s and Hot Topic was the only place in the mall i wanted to go when my family made the hour long journey to the nearest city. My mom was very supportive even though she didnt really want me dressing like that but it was the only place i could get the clothes i wanted. I remember being SO excited when they started selling anime merch and when i found a band tee of the shitty scene bands i liked. Now a days I dont really go into Hot Topic, not because i grew out of that look, but because its so damn expensive. While yes, I am no longer a scene kid and i barley meet the "alternative" criteria, i find myself wanting the pop cuture stuff in there, but not really wanting to commit to the price tag. If they were selling vocaloid things WHEN i was a weeb i would have been in heaven. Part of me is jealous that the store has turned into something 14 year old me wouldve died for, but i cant help but feel its a bit pandering i my old age. Also the quality doesnt match what they ask. Gotta love big gothic necklaces that turn your neck green! I have bought things from Box Lunch if its on sale but tbh id rather buy merch from etsy, a con or just make it myself. That way the 50$ naruto tee shirt is supporting someone small. Idk, hot topic will forever hold a special place in my heart even if i grew out of it

[@Sir_Sumair]

I know A lot of people don't like hot topic now but for me it's how I get the fashion and clothes that make me feel good about myself and they actually have clothes and things that make me, me

[@Lilnaomi3]

It's in the name, Hot Topic. They were always in it to adapt with the changes. Nostalgia messes with people. Sometimes I miss being able to buy Ravens Revenge candy, Gloom Cookie single issue comics, Cleopatra Record compilations or the suspicious body piercing room in the back of the store... It's always been about creature comforts and chilling with friends than a store. If there was any reason to dislike a store, it would be knowing how they do their numbers and the lack of education they provide workers. I had a few friends who worked there in the mid 2010's; they were expected to pull around $500 before 12 pm on a Wednesday. Sometimes there is one person working a four hour block by themselves; good luck if you need to pee. Though these things are dependent on your regionals and how much supervision they get.

[@DrawinskyMoon]

I guess the new hot topic is cheap products and franchises that were made 40 years ago. Not very hot or topical if you ask me.

[@NailSL]

This seemed more of a history, look inside hot topics growth & how it stayed relevant for so many years rather then a "Why they are hated" addition. Not my channel or my place but I think you do really have a great way of making companies (Modern Businesses 😉) Come ups interesting watches. Maybe a "Where did Hot Topic come from" etc. Love your stuff really looking forward to seeing what you have planned. Consider making a discord! ♡

[@stargirl_lee]

i think the “why theyre hated” title is more prone to strike interest ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ i don’t watch business videos but the title was attention grabbing and 12:24 minutes later i watched the whole thing a discord is a good idea!

[@Sir_Maximus_Hardwood]

Good criticism but clickbait is the model here

[@werewolfstrike7]

Knowing the history is important to know why they’re hated today, it’s a basis

[@jordanadams7168]

He summed it up in the end, a history is necessary in order to explain why it's hated today.

[@rarecandy3445]

its cause they’re POSERS

[@kellystevens549]

I’m 62 and STILL shop at Hot Topic! I introduced my daughter to the store. She’s 22 and has been shopping there for 10 yrs up till now. I hope they stay forever! Us cool moms need other places to shop besides Macy’s and Dillards!😂

[@marleewoofs]

Ive always loved hot topic and it was my dream to get to work there when I was a little kid. I would go almost daily with my mom in the early 2000s. Ive recently fulfilled that dream of working there and it has been one of my worst job experiences. The store itself is fine, they have plenty of stuff for everyone, even if its changed so drastically. However, corporate is horrid. Store managers are just as bad. Ive been talked badly about behind my back by my own managers, hours cut without warning, and singled out and called a liar about my illnesses. It’s unfortunate when you finally get a chance to work in a place you expected to find comfort in, only to find out its the complete opposite.

[@KaiDecadence]

I'm sorry to hear your experience working there was awful. I remember when I was younger, I wanted to desperately work in one myself but just never managed to. I guess it just depends on the location to be honest.

[@EasyCure0]

back in like 2006 I put my two weeks notice in, and found out the manager above me was trying to dig up dirt on me, for some reason. my coworkers told me he'd ask strange questions about me as a manager, asking if I let friends hang out in the store after hours, or if they ever noticed me taking money from the register: none of which happened. I didn't like him doing that so I reported it to the district manager, an investigation was launched within 24hrs and and within 48hrs he was let go. the DM practically begged me to stay, I gave em two more months while they figured shit out but I was done working there, despite all the good memories.

[@--Paws--]

I was amazed that they sold t-shirts from concerts, I did go but missed out on the merch. Although a long time has passed, I still manage to get the t-shirts I wanted. The staff working in the store also led me to find more bands and other artists I didn't know about. They were like an older sibling or cousin being friendly, not just for the sake of selling something.

[@bloody-aster0309]

I completely understand why some thing like hot topic a capitalized version of scene culture would totally be looked down upon by the og scene ppl, But growing up In a Christian family in the Midwest where I really didn't have access to anything from alternative culture, The hot topic in my local mall was an absolute lifesaver

[@oxwah]

I feel like most of us fit the store's target demo for 2-3 years. I was psyched for the nu metal things at HT, and was completely checked out before the emo era. Now my kid likes going there for anime stuff, and I like shopping with her as my mom liked shopping with me, even if just for edgy tshirts.

[@KaiDecadence]

That's actually a good point. 2-3 (maybe 4-5) is like the max before attention shifts elsewhere. I was into the nu-Metal thing as well and though I did stick around somewhat during the "emo" phase of Hot Topic (2004-2006), I was checked out by the time the whole Scene Kid thing rolled in around 2007-2008.

[@Shroomerite98]

I remember when hot topic had those gothic themed entry gates to their store. 10 year old me @that time use to feel like I wasn’t cool enough to go in there but would still go in anyway Bc of how cool I knew I’d feel if I ended up getting to purchase literally anything lol haven’t been to that store in over a decade but ah, so nostalgic to reflect on.

[@KaiDecadence]

It definitely felt like you were stepping into another world which would blow your middle school (or high school) self lol.

[@victormanuelmonterroso-mir9502]

I remember in the mid to late 1990s my mom would always take me to Hot Topic and would love the way the people that worked there dressed, she would remember their names, and they would always say hi to her when they would see her. Good memories in that store.

[@icethornz]

I started shopping at Hot Topic in 2007 and even now I still shop there from time to time. While I do miss their older style, I agree that keeping up with the latest trends is a smart move. Funny enough, my mother actually LIKES Hot Topic. She's into all kinds of music and was even in a band herself before she got married. I even remember her wanting to go into the store when I first brought it up. She ended up getting into anime, so she does browse their online store sometimes haha.

[@fuzzywormz1430]

for context, i shop at hot topic CONSTANTLY- whether that’s online or in stores. and what i’ve noticed throughout my years of shopping (specifically in store) is that different stores will carry either more or less alternative fashion. so what i’ve done is picked the stores that have the most alternative fashion. i’ve also noticed on their website (and a few stores once n awhile) they’ll sell scene and emo stuff, which are always super good finds!! i’m in washington, and the alternative culture is thriving here. you see metal heads, emos, scene kids, goths, etc. all of the time, so our hot topics are a litttle bit awesome

[@slusheebits3695]

omg samee i'm in washington too and i think they still have good stuff tbh you just gotta find the right people lol

[@GriffinProductions]

I loved Hot Topic back then, and I still go there every now and then now. I applaud them for being smart and staying successful for this long, and it's not like they've completely left their roots behind either.

[@doodlemunchkin2222]

The odd chance I’m ever in a mall, I’d peek in there to see some of the fandom stuff they got. It’s really the only place where I can get specific geeky merch, anime stuff, whatever, that I won’t find in a JcPenny. Sure I can try and find some online, but quality is always a big question to consider and I’ll be paying more buying it online with the shipping compared to just going to a physical store to get it. I get why some niche groups would be upset with what it’s becoming now, but it’s still good for some things.

[@burstingcolors5394]

the old underground, gothic aesthetic was amazing! the old logo was so cool too, it's sad to see it go, but not all good things can't stay forever! it's honestly nice to see them sell some shirts from/for different fandoms, it's hard to get some merch for a certain fandom you like in stores nowadays... I recently went to one with my grandma looking for a Animal Crossing mask, and she picked out a mask that had a girl with her cans out with x's marked on them, she didn't even realize it at first LMAO! 😂 tho I gotta admit, it is a bit weird that they are selling some fan art... I do hope they notified the artists and paying them for it!

[@thomcatt1411]

Hey I love Rouge the bat! Subbed. Hot Topic pop culture merchandise is just poor quality.

[@jonathankrueger1449]

I made my own DIY spiked collars and bracelets and stuff that Hot Topic would sell in the 90's for really high prices. I would get the leather for the gear from thrift store belts that I would cut and then turn into a collar or bracelet then Put spikes and studs in them that I ordered from mail-order leather shops. It was really fun. I made them for myself and friends. They were cooler in my opinion to anything Hot Topic offered because of the whole punk DIY ethos.

[@sracha731]

Can’t wait for you to blow up. I always wanted to shop at hot topic bc I would dress myself in a way where I looked like a school shooter than a lover of metal music. But as of rn, they’re doing a good job catering to the new generation

[@Hemuset]

I stopped buying from there when I noticed the distinct drop in quality from their merch. I used to buy a bit of everything, (I guess I might have been part of the problem buying some anime and game themed merch), but I liked how their stuff looked overall, their stuff had a theme to it. Never managed to get my hands on one of those belted pants- my abusive family members never entirely let me dress how I wanted, but their kids could -but I managed. I noticed a lot of their shirts became super uncomfortable and fell apart easily, that's when I started going either to other stores or online. It sucks, I used to think it was a pretty different and cool store to look at.

[@KaiDecadence]

The shirts thing is so true. I never liked to admit it because the shirts were getting increasingly expensive and I wanted to justify my purchases but honestly the blacks would fade within 2-3 washes and the material would thin. Surprisingly the "slim-fit" tees (the ones that actually stretched) tended to last a bit longer but they were on the price side compared to the standard shirt.

[@ookipuki]

Exactly ! Did you ever own a trippnyc item? It's so bad and more expensive now

[@colap3848]

I shopped at Hot Topic as a middle schooler in the late 90s. It was such a unique and edgy place back then, and we felt so cool buying our T-shirts from there because you couldn't find that kind of merch anywhere else. I'm sad to see how much they have changed but I guess they are just keeping up with the next generation. For what it's worth, our generation was much cooler. ;)

[@ChippyMcDippy]

I’ve noticed that when I was younger it was more edgy, as you said. (My mom even called it the “demon store” as a joke) Now it’s kind of turned into an anime cutesy store, like I don’t mind it since it’s geared torwards teens and what’s popular. It’s really interesting how it changed, but it’s a business, and they have to do whatever they can.

[@hungoverpuppy3907]

Honestly, I respect this company even though I rarely shop there. They always managed to stay relevant while other stores around it struggle.

[@YoursTrulyMrsMoores]

3:55 those doors...that's the one I so fondly remember! The Hot Topic at our local mall was SO small, everything packed in. I remember being so excited that I had enough money after Christmas to go in and buy one of those pairs of boots with the platform heels and straps. I think I was 15...my mother wasn't impressed, and didn't want me wearing them outside the house

[@memyopinionsche6610]

Don't limit yourself. I'm 51 and still go through hot topic.. Still a awesome collection of rock memorabilia.. They say I'm too old to rock or enjoy alternative music. Normally I tell them to bite me.

[@DrawinskyMoon]

You must have a better store. The one near my house doesn’t even sell music band anything let alone topics that are hot right now. Who wants the buy nightmare before Christmas mercy for the 100th time?

[@KaiDecadence]

@@DrawinskyMoon It's so sad because The Nightmare before Christmas is a genuinely good film but because a lot of Hot Topics went ham with their merch, it made some people grow to loathe seeing Jack Skellington since they couldn't escape his iconic face lol.

[@mitchkuhn2371]

Just watched the "Zumiez, why they're hated" video and thought "man, i hope this guy has a hot topic hate video" it was literally posted 3 hours ago so, I'm pretty damn lucky.

[@ValSob3]

This channel deserves growth! It's such a small channel but your videos are fantastically edited and made and researched. Keep going!!! You got a new sub!

[@modernbusinesschannel]

I appreciate you so much! My full attention and focus is on THIS channel right now. The one thing I’m still trying to nail down a consistent upload schedule though. But more than anything, I want to have quality. New vid coming pretty soon :) thank you for subbing

[@mynamehappy]

I'm definitely in the "hate the changes" camp. I understand its a business and they need to stay afloat, fuckin way she goes, but the pop culture rebrand totally turned me off. I remember being genuinely angry about it probably around freshman year of high school when it happened. My local store just threw the gates of hell in the dumpster, some lucky bastard at least managed to grab them. I can't even remember the last time I bought something from Hot Topic. If I'm at the mall I'm in Spencer's, they always seem to have better shirts and merch.

[@jacknoble6668]

Fuckin’ way she goes bud.

[@Pipzip.]

well said

[@KaiDecadence]

I'm not really in the "hate" camp but I definitely agree that once the gates of hell were thrown away and the stores got engulfed by anime and geek social media stuff, the heart of Hot Topic which was founded in alternative music pretty much died.

[@rhaenyralikesyoutube6289]

They should have remained true to music brands, not this awful anime crap that's in there now.

[@jessegarrison9383]

Two key Hot Topic memories from my adolescence: Picking up Projekt Records samplers that got me into goth and darkwave. Getting a scathing lecture from a mom of another kid in my youth group about the store I clearly liked going to, amongst other reasons I was probably going to hell.

[@faeriesmak]

I miss Projekt. I was lucky enough to to go to Projekt Fest in Chicago in the late 90s one year. I was seriously in love with Lycia!

[@jessegarrison9383]

@@faeriesmak That sounds awesome! Lycia will always be one of my top bands.

[@faeriesmak]

@@jessegarrison9383 They are so good!

[@kisesakusaku]

A comment from nine months later! I remember shopping there, but I’m a broke teen. Fairies and anime (before Toonami went strong) were my comfort and can get postcards or a notebook. When treated myself, I get a shirt. Brony boom is also a hecking experience as a young college student too... Now I’m seeing artist brand collabs, obvious fandom trends (both iconic and huge flops), and now in Fall/Winter of 2022: Hot Topic slowly slide back the late 2000s trend like if they are trying to bring back people like me to fond memories with and getting today’s youth to experience the era of my fandom-hood... Despite I’ve never seen Invader Zim. And yes I find it weird that Skeleaninals and Emily the Strange are coming back to the stores...

[@KaiDecadence]

Hot Topic has always been a tough one for me. I remember when I first walked into Hot Topic back in 2002 and I was in love with the place. I was 12 years old and was getting more into rock & alternative music as well as some slight dark fashion and walking through those gates and being around so many band shirts and alternative style clothing, I was just so enthralled in it. The Nu-Metal craze was still going on at this time and sure some may think it's cringe now but at the time, it was something else lol. I can't act like I ever hated Hot Topic because way back when I was in middle school to the first 3 years I was in high school, it was my go-to store to peruse because even if I didn't always buy something, I could just take in the music they played which no other store would play and the staff were nice and relatable. But over time I was getting more into alternative music and Hot Topic started shifting attention away from niche music scene and the only one they had left was the whole Scene Kid thing but I never really was into that subculture and thus, I stopped going to Hot Topic as much around this time (had to be around 2007-2008). Eventually I stopped going there altogether in 2009 since I had moved and just wasn't feeling the whole Scene Kid thing. Eugh and especially Invader Zim. I mean I like Invader Zim but seeing the merch everywhere at this point was too much LOL From there I hadn't stepped foot in a Hot Topic for like 3-4 years and when I got around to walking into one after all that time, it was the most awkward feeling ever. Everything had changed, no more alternative stuff and filled to the brim with pop culture of anime, cartoons, and Harry Potter & Twilight. And the music was mostly rappers and pop artists. There was some rock band tees but shoved to the bottom and not as frequent. Needless to say, that was the last time I went to Hot Topic and I haven't been in one since 2017. Do I hate Hot Topic? "Hate" is a strong word , I'm more-so indifferent to it. I'll be honest though that as I got older and got into the Goth subculture, I found myself getting annoyed at some teens who would say that Hot Topic was a Goth store when it obviously wasn't. Sure they sold shirts of The Cure and Siouxsie And the Banshees (and maybe Bauhaus,) but overall Hot Topic was clearly just a general alternative store at the time that mostly catered to Nu-Metal, Pop Punk, and Emo (and later Screamo) while having a tiny sprinkle of Goth and Punk. But I mean aside from the ignorance it inadvertently brought towards Goth and Punk, it's just a store. A store that is VASTLY different now compared to the late 90s/early 00s. I used to think that the store "sold out" but when I really thought about it, it's in the name "HOT TOPIC" and obviously they are trend hoppers so it made sense why they did what they did even if I think the soul of the store died in 2007 for me personally and I miss how the store used to look. It just looks so bland now in my opinion and I'm just glad I got to experience it when it looked like a hell dungeon with the gates and subtle dimmed lighting lol.

[@meishiate-8139]

Funny and kinda traumatic story. Me and my friends went to the mall and for some reason two of the girls wanted to go into hot topic(something about a bathroom?? Can’t remember) I never really liked going into hot topic unless I was getting a graphic tee so I stayed back with my friend's boyfriend who also didn’t like hot topic while they went with our other guy friend to make sure they didn't get kidnapped(the mall isn’t in a great area). While we’re waiting for them to come back all of a sudden we see them rushing away from the back in a frenzy. I asked my friend what was wrong and she responded by saying that when they got there they found some furries doing some…not so appropriate things to be doing in public. Me and my friend's boyfriend, being the curious people we were, walked in a little bit and moved just enough to get a look into the back and sure enough, my eyes now needed to be cleansed😂I don’t think I’ve ever mothered my friends out of a store more than in that moment and I refuse to ever go in one again out of fear

[@akemi_444]

WHAT

[@Evilc]

WHAT

[@ranoutofnameideas6035]

WHAT

[@jinxmylover]

WHAT

[@yourlastbraincelleatinggra4910]

QUE

[@tiffanysullivan5454]

My daughter is 17 and LOVES Hot Topic, and I do, too. It's a fun store. You called it, too- our local Hot Topic is right next to a Spencer's! 🤣🤣🤣

[@Nokorola]

Hot Topic was the first place I ever found a current (vinyl) record for sale and it blew my mind. I was never really part of the scene that it was catering to in the early ‘00s, but I loved that they had records years before FYE or Walmart or anywhere else started stocking them again. I have them to thank for introducing me to A New Found Glory and years later She&Him among others. I loved it and it was a sad day when I found out they were discontinuing record sales after they could no longer complete against the bigger outlets.

[@O_Ciel_Phant0mhive]

I used to drag my mom to hot topic when I was younger but now she drags me to hot topic because of the harry potter and disney merch haha so fair enough. At the end of the day, I am also impressed at how Hot topic has been able to stay trendy and catering to the masses. Good store that I respect a lot.

[@manilovefrogs7117]

hot topic is honestly one of my favorite stores because where I’m from we don’t have a lot of places that cater to the ‘nerdy’ alternative and geek lifestyles except hot topic and newbery comics (forgive my misspelling) so to have hot topic is really a place where I can get frog items, nirvana tees, panic! at the disco shirts, tøp merch and studio ghibli stuff along side so much more. Hot topic is giving me a chance to make my own style using pieces of me. Even though I may not have known the ‘old’ because I was too young and too small for their sizes, hot topic still holds and will continue to hold a special place in my heart and closet

[@painkillerweather]

i just finished my time with hot topic last july. i was an assistant manager for 2 years! the concert ticket reimbursement program still exists! u only get $25 max for a fashion report tho. i absolutely loved working for this company, they are super on target with trends like the new scene revival, kawaii culture, and geekdom rn. anime is huge rn and they know it. even during the 2015-era pop punk, the music was TOTALLY catered to even amongst the harry potter and other stuff. anything easy to find is considered poser stuff, but i think hot topic is an import thing to those kids in the middle of nowhere with no way to get merch of their fav bands and pop culture stuff. youth culture is different than what it was 20 years ago and unfortunately those people who shopped there 20 years ago are not their target demographic anymore. its a YOUTH culture company and that youth culture is what you see on tiktok rn. it makes sense and its endlessly fascinating! i have a marketing degree and niche marketing is literally the most interesting topic to me lol i love hot topic and always will. i was a gir obsessed preteen at one time and now im an adult anime fan.

[@Rayne1bow]

This is the type of channel that’s gonna gain subscribers at an unnatural speed.

[@user-sx1ym9xp6p]

The old Hot Topic looks so cool!! Wish I was American sometimes

[@VampyBlood17]

My favorite thing about HT is that it has grown with what falls under “alt fashion” - it doesn’t just cater to the rockers, metal heads and punks, but also for the kawaii, Lolita, and anime fan bases. I still go in there for my skirts and T-shirts and have been since I was 13! It’s a store that grows with its customer base and that’s so unique.

[@OmegaRedFan]

HT?

[@Orcastruck]

Isn't lolita child por

[@whatburnsneverreturns]

lolita? ayooooo if anything is catering to lolita thats a no no

[@pastelk]

yall are confusing lolita fashion with loli drawings. two completely different things

[@whatburnsneverreturns]

@@pastelk they should've given it a damn better name. Also, out of curiousity what is "lolita" fashion

[@Dragonheart1988-e6d]

The people who feel it's a "threat," to their lifestyle are basically hipsters. I say that because all the people I knew growing up, who were and still are such gatekeepers of these lifestyles all grew up to be complete hipsters.

[@InkfinityOkamix3]

I feel seen

[@OmegaRedFan]

If you like the new Hot Topic changes, you are a hipster. That's the ultimate truth.

[@Dragonheart1988-e6d]

@@OmegaRedFan I don't like or hate it. I just don't care.

[@kentaroo.7759]

I haven't been there in years, I just bought rock t-shirts, metal t-shirts, pins, wrist bands back in the day.

[@lazyybunnyy]

This is a very interesting video on how they transitioned through trends. And I was there when there was a transition from scene stuff to more pop culture stuff. I can recall the day I saw an anime shirt and was genuinely surprised because at that time it was just starting to get popular. (I was born in 2000s so my childhood was early 2000s culture like linkin park)

[@NN-vn1pz]

I quit my job at HT after working there since 2019 because the store used to be as safe space and the manager they hired was a creep and employees didn't even feel safe anymore

[@GradyBroyles]

we used to mockingly call it "One Stop Punk Rock" also Daljeet's and Na Na London were a thing where the "real" scene kids went.

[@pennynoir7774]

I remember being scared of Hot Topic when I was younger. I don’t know why, but I overcame my fear a few years ago. While I still go there, I usually get things like earrings and pins, it’s rare if I get a shirt from there nowadays. A few years ago, I got a RWBY shirt, and a few days later, the shoulder part of the shirt COMPLETELY ripped off, all because I got stuck on something (can’t remember what though). Also, I legitimately thought Spencers and Hot Topic were rivals until you pointed it out. Anyways, for clothing recommendation (that suits your goth/alternative needs), I suggest Killstar. It’s usually plus size friendly, but the downside is that the dresses can be prices ranging from $30-$60. I’m currently looking for more stores/business like this, so if anyone has any recommendations, lemme know! ^^

[@princessmarlena1359]

Thanks for the info on Killstar. Sometimes I find some really great stuff in the pyramid collection catalogue, for some really nice dresses or accessories.

[@lovelydolltime8006]

I have plenty of band shirts from Hot Topic that are pretty high quality and are still in great shape (though I did have to fix a tiny hole in 1 of my MCR shirts). Maybe there was just something wrong with that particular one.

[@Partypoisonbs]

Dollskills is a good one

[@heyitsthatguy]

I remember how much my mom hated hot topic and how disgusted she was every time we would go there lol

[@nerdgeekcosplay909]

My mom called the store “ the devils store “

[@DiCelloPiano]

I used to listen to the music they would play in the store and then if you asked what was playing they would show you the CD and sell it...I would always make sure to go to Hot Topic to hear music I never heard before...