What happened to HOT TOPIC? | 2000 REMNANTS

From that creepy store in the mall to "Pop Culture References" for sale. We look into the history of ever local malls biggest nightmare and see what made it a bit more dream like. Welcome to 2000 Remnants. A webseries dedicated to topics from the early 2000's from edgy animations, horrific games and anything from 2000-2009. Put your comments below as to how we can improve the series!
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#hottopic #early2000s #history

[@MioHasMoe]

I honestly feel like if they brought back their old “mall goth” clothes & lingerie it would sell really well especially with the resurgence of that aesthetic

[@sonicroachdoggjrraven3263]

I wish people would stop calling subculture styles "aesthetics"

[@waterbears9874]

Seeing as I kinda wanna start an emo/goth/alternative look, it’s a huge shame that I missed what hot topic once was, I miss the 2000s and early 2010s

[@satannn]

@@StepsTheGothwhat sites do you use to shop for clothes like that?

[@veinsofmelody9467]

Basically the “geeks” took ever. Its all anime and shit.

[@karikka.0025]

Right and if they wanted to cater to them they could have made a sister store or made a section for them.

[@priscillamartin7815]

@@karikka.0025 like they literally have BoxLunch for this lmao

[@karikka.0025]

@@priscillamartin7815 not as many locations thats why I said or section

[@priscillamartin7815]

@@karikka.0025 I know, I was just saying. It's basically the same store. Didn't mean to come off rude ;^^)

[@karikka.0025]

@@priscillamartin7815 im sorry I read that wrong sometimes its hard to read the tones of comments 😅

[@anybody9750]

It's not hot topic it's pop topic.

[@ms.pirate]

I remember my friend in elementary called it hot pocket lol

[@polysteveshusbandandboyfri644]

This is why I love Ebay. Tons of old band tees and shit. Nowadays I only go to hot topic for the funko pops :/

[@kevinnightmareszzz6140]

Even though I was a young child around the early 2000s I always remembered the hot topic was really dope, my older sister would shop there frequently since she was into the emo scene at the time, I was able to see the store on the inside every now and then, when I grew up and around the early 2010s, I was in my early to mid teens, I remember the one by my house was still pretty edgy and had all the cutesy creepy stuff but they were barely putting in anime shirts in there mostly darker anime like Deathnote, but I'll never forget how scared my mom was of that store not to mention they had screamo music still playing at that time she would often ask me to hurry up and leave on the rare occasion she went to the mall with me good memories haha, now adays however It's hard to recognize the store on the inside anymore and now I hear some locations are implementing Kpop, it's kind of sad I'll be honest, but they gotta do what they gotta do to keep staying in biusiness, only way it can go back to what it once was if Either goth or emo becomes popular again Haha

[@ashleyhansen4479]

Goth and emo have come back in. Though they’re more a newer version that’s focused on rap and not rock. :/ Mumble rap isn’t goth or emo though. -_-

[@ms.pirate]

@@ashleyhansen4479 i hate rap, I like rock better

[@Glamikuns]

People don’t seem to understand that the store is called hot TOPIC. As in, they’ll sell what’s topical currently. Right now that’s funko pops, fandom merch, stuff like that.

[@DannyK1992]

Yup 🙂👍🏻

[@hentercc8238]

Fuck that! I miss the old hot topic

[@klowncar4830]

I heard the name was Supposed to be ironic

[@LicensedGuitarist2000]

@@hentercc8238 I agree!

[@LicensedGuitarist2000]

It would be cool if the store can have 2 sides, like hot topic can have the gothic and industrial side on the left, and have the anime, superhero shit on the right. I think it would be just as fair.

[@ms.pirate]

They do have different sections in the store, its just the anime and disney is at the front

[@arsenicArtificer]

something kinda nice since the emo revival's been kicked off is at my local hot topic there's still the pop culture stuff but they brought back a TON of the emo stuff like intimates came back, the studded belts and stuff, etc. it's great and i can't wait for the pandemic to end because i wanna go there and see if it was just for then since it's been a while since any stores have been open in my area

[@coffeebearboi]

This video deserves more views! It's such a interesting history of Hot Topic and makes me wish I would of been older to remember the emo scene, since I would of been way to young at the time to remember.

[@LicensedGuitarist2000]

I prefer the goth nu metal scene.

[@CULT_OF_TRAGEDY]

MORAL OF THE STORY. HIPSTERS RUIN EVERYTHING.

[@LB-uo7xy]

As they did to everything else like cheap real estate and gentrification.

[@sillyfilly5528]

What about pop culture anime and stuff, all I see in ht now is mainstream stuff even rap music and country music tees

[@demifiendo]

Mane, I remember my mother back in the mid 2000s she would always go to hot topic, and pick out some t shirts for her, plus it was the one in Montclair too, mane those were good times too

[@adriana_burning]

This is just depressing

[@3evo333]

Hot Topic was one of my first experiences in a mall when I was a toddler. Fell in love instantly.

[@jemdemonbelle2097]

Hot topic, for me, died when I saw Justin beiber next to the spiked collars. Do I still go in there? Anymore not really. I do enjoy black heart and I love the pop figures but all that i feel i can find elsewhere. Add that to the fact every time i go in one i get followed by staff never engaging but always following me as if I'm going to steal something. However give it....what...2 more years and the goth scene will be popular again. We tend to make a resurgence in popular media every so often and I'm already starting to see that in the here and now.

[@CacklingPumpkins]

I've actually been curious about the return of the Goth scene for a while. I would love to see it make a comeback but, out of curiosity, what is it that you see that makes you say it will return soon?

[@jemdemonbelle2097]

@@CacklingPumpkins mostly the use of it in mainstream media. Fashion companies are coming out with black lipsticks and goth color pallets, mainstream bands are switching to a more gothic aesthetic, plus even hot topic is selling more things ofnthe goth nature such as (admittedly) cheaply made coffin purses, dark clothes, band tshirts of the cure and even playing some siouxie and the banshees now and then. Will HT go back to their roots? Probably about the same way MTV did. Which is....bare absolute minimum. Now are all of the examples I used the true resurgence of the scene in the mainstream eyes? No, but then again goth has never been fully understood by the mainstream either. It just becomes a trendy way for kids to piss off their mom and dad while listening to the same pop music they've always listened to. Which I'm fine with, despite my seemingly bitter response. XD part of the reason i joined the subculture was the mysterious allure we have to outsiders. Sorry for the novel.

[@CacklingPumpkins]

@@jemdemonbelle2097 Well, when you put it like that it does make a lot of sense. Plus, yeah the Gothic subculture has never been mainstream and more of an underground thing. But I would love to see it be talked about more. And I have also seen similar stuff return to Hot Topic. I saw these cute witch inspired necklaces and I wear every now and then.They really make me think that Hot Topic's putting at least somewhat of an effort to make everyone happy.

[@jemdemonbelle2097]

@@CacklingPumpkins It would be nice, especially if it was talked about and we weren't the butt of every joke. :/ I also think HT is at least putting some effort into it unlike MTV, which seems to be a garbage pit of shows. I also hope to enjoy this small return for as long as i can. Even if basic Becky is wearing something she knows nothing about

[@CacklingPumpkins]

@@jemdemonbelle2097 Agreed

[@elfenliar]

the business should jus be like journeys and open 2 stores at every mall. 1 with the new polished look for the geeks and 1 with the older more dark look. more money and everyone’s happy

[@razvandobos9759]

I miss the Gothic Hot Topic

[@re-huvane5622]

Hot topic has actually become alternative again. I guess with Gen Z’s e-kid fashion trend as well as some members of Gen Z being into REAL goth (Bauhaus, The Cure, Molchat Doma), the market for alternative culture has opened wide up.

[@invoice999]

I would like a new hip store like this, where the new up and coming generation from my age can go and chill and shop at, we’re so boring nowadays and rely so much on the internet. I think that’s why we’re all so depressed, and look back at the past for their fashion and bright colors to make us feel better.

[@razvandobos9759]

There’s this British dark alternative/Goth online store called Killstar, and they’re basically the modern Gothic Hot Topic. You’ll see countless Goth KZbinrs doing Killstar hauls, similar to HT hauls.

[@GXTHIE]

They ruined hot topic so much. Back then there was some hardcore stuff to buy. Nowadays its just anime weeb shit, rappers that belong in the spencers store instead, less metal/rock band shirts, less emo/gothic/scene stuff, bts sadly took over the store now. I wish the old HT came back tbh

[@GXTHIE]

They removed so many band shirts and replaced them with lizzo and bts smh. Worst shirt store right now to shop for band shirts

[@blackroseknight77]

Ah ya not dead ay. welcomes back Crimson Kingdom! you were missed ;3 also a video about Hot Topic!? lovely

[@CacklingPumpkins]

Thanks! I intend to do more with this channel in the future!

[@taylorlonewolf8526]

Crimson Kingdom - Cackling Pumpkins I work there and it’s the stupid company they took over and I’m Emo and scene

[@taylorlonewolf8526]

i work there and I’m gonna be honest here things are not the same I’m a Emo scene kid btw. And I’m being honest ya I want to go back the old ways but it’s the stupid company

[@arsenicArtificer]

good news! they're probably returning to their roots, which is great :>

[@taylorlonewolf8526]

crowsandcorvids lets hope

[@gtrkarma]

crowsandcorvids this is the first I’m hearing about that. You fr?

[@bradenallen5914]

Im Happy that Emo is coming back Also my Hot Topic is amazing their is like 30 Funko pops in the store and their alot of band merch

[@professional_scammer5436]

"Emo is dead long live emo" -a shirt I saw on the hot topic website that got me crying

[@spacevspitch4028]

I'd argue that Spencer's has changed WAY more than Hot Topic, almost as if to compete with Hot Topic. When I was a kid, Spencer's had none of the darker aesthetic stuff. It was just a kooky gag gift store with random shit. Though, if I recall, Spencer's was first with all the pop culture stuff. If anything, Hot Topic assimilated the pop culture focus of Spencer's and added that to the "vibe" of the store. Maybe that's when Spencer's sensed the competition from Hot Topic and updated their store to match some of their vibe.

[@razvandobos9759]

There needs to be a “light side” version of HT that sells Motown and funk and disco and Rhythm and Blues and Jazz clothing and music and that store would rival Hot Topic.

[@Devilproking]

I completely forgot what hot topic was until I was rewatching videos from 2016

[@himikotoga4270]

Their is only one place I know that still has that iconic arch in the beginning of the store. Same boring HOT TOPIC logo but the arch is still their 😌

[@jpvlogs9388]

hot topic was always the store i wasn’t allowed in

[@toastedbread105]

My local mall thwt opened in 2006 still has the rounded entrance

[@Soupraaaaaa]

The place honestly did what it needed to do. Like I remember as a kid nkt even being allowed to go there cause the screamo music and gate of a door. It didn’t look friendly. So I’m glad it changed later in cause now everyone no matter the age will go in there. It’s still the same shop it still sells all this stuff it just added more license.

[@ms.pirate]

When i was little, i was scared of that place, the screamo music and the gate, that kinda changed in 2013/14 for me, since I'm older and i had an ipod to listen to my own music to feel braver

[@E-Rad]

They dont sell the same stuff lol

[@LoganFlores]

I very much prefer the OG Hot Topic because of its style of the store and just the atmosphere alone especially when they used to sell got stuff it was all alternative goth nowadays it's not so much goth it's mainly Funko pops anime and pop culture which I'm not saying it's bad but I just prefer the original Hot Topic where they used to sell so much goth stuff nowadays it just doesn't feel like hot topic well I love the store don't get me wrong and I do love the people that work there I just feel like they should bring back the original Hot Topic the way it used to be then I would feel like it would get a lot more people to come back in my opinion!

[@hollowrat4905]

When I was very very young I saw hot topic for the first time as a dark place with loud music, "scary" shirts and a bronze cage door..I didn't know it was HT at the time now that it's basically been my life force for years I realize why it kinda scared me as a *very* young child

[@samgothteenager3416]

I want to Hot topic when I was a little kid and now I'm 15 years old now I love going to Hot topic I was different my family my dad did Not like hot Topic he said stop going to that creepy store but I love Hot topic so much

[@chocolatestrawberry7694]

Just stumbled on this video. Interesting insight. I have to admit though, Hot Topic did change, but I don't think the store had necessarily changed itself fundamentally going into the 2010s. I can't speak for it today since it's been a hot minute since I've been into the store.(At least 4 years). But I still stand by what I said. Hot Topic was always a sort of alternative rebellious store. The thing in common with all those trends were that they all had this root in counterculture. Something different than the main stream. "Stick it to the man" and the main stream, and even though the contents of the store changed with the obvious inclusion of main stream pop culture , a lot of those things had its origins in alternative counterculture. I'm not familiar with Hot Topic in the 80s or 90s because I didn't step foot into one until the very early 2000s when the emo and punk scene started to take prevalence in the store. The store was still dark and sold an incredible amount of band merchandise and "edgy" fashion trends you couldn't find in other stores. Towards the mid and late "early 2000s" you could see the implantation of things like anime and shows like Invader Zim. However these shows were still considered alternative. Invader Zim while definitely popular to an extent, maintained an ever alternative "dark" aesthetic to the show, and Anime was absolutely not popular to the masses. Anime popularity was rising in numbers for sure but it was popular amongst the Hot Topic crowd and was often ridiculed and seen very poorly among the main stream masses so naturally it found a home in the store. But things change, music is ever evolving and something else was changing too, and that was the internet. The rise of social media, smart phones and KZbin and just technology in general propelled society into the future by the 2010s. All these alternative communities could connect and share and create online communites at lightning speed. Information was shared like never before and it was in this time that we saw the rise of "nerd culture" which was alway alternative. In the 2010s, it was more popular than ever. Suddenly it was cool to be into Comic Books and Sci-fi and anime and Millennials in the 2010s became obsessed with nostalgia. This was the birth of the "90s kids" and "Only 90s kids remember ..." Internet made it so easy to connect all things like never before. Hot Topic had to keep up to stay afloat. The internet and is also a contributor in the "death of the department store" with online shopping gaining popularity. Hot Topic in order to turn a profit took advantage of the evolution in the media and revamped itself to serve the modern shopper. Hot topic definitely added full blown mainstream elements, but I still think it is safe to say that many thing there are still in some form or fashion born from alternative counter culture.

[@ms.pirate]

I wish hot topic didn't change, but business is business. Luckily theres some emo and goth stuff, like accessories and clothes by black heart (i own alot of modern jewelry from hot topic and some clothes by them too)

[@thomcatt1411]

I miss Skelanimals and the cute stuff like that. 😩

[@ectovampz]

Same!!

[@thomcatt1411]

@@ectovampz Its Happy Bunny and Gloomy Bear too...

[@ectovampz]

@@thomcatt1411 invader zim & i ♡ boobies wrist bands

[@gristlevonraben]

Did you ever do a video on Spencers, the store opposite of Hot Topic?

[@theshockerpit7274]

Hot topic was my home away from home now it’s mainstream

[@no-do5od]

I like Hot Topic more now, because they have anime, and I’m a weeb hahah

[@CacklingPumpkins]

That's fair haha

[@ms.pirate]

Same, tbh, i like both alternative and Anime

[@quirkyvlogs1658]

Its coming back tho lol

[@thomasackerly2410]

I like HT it GD to me. Got some of my favorite shirts from them

[@JackShen]

Does MTV even have anymore more M in it?

[@aniken6877]

I’m 20 the only thing I remember hot topic selling anime and Harry Potter.

[@aniken6877]

@@bilbobaggins9451 Yeah everything was just anime or Harry Potter

[@aniken6877]

@@bilbobaggins9451 and a shit ton of Funko pop.

[@aniken6877]

@@bilbobaggins9451 I think they do still have some of that probably in the back

[@aniken6877]

@@bilbobaggins9451 I sidnt hear any music.

[@chrishenniker5944]

A lot of emo and scene kids became hipsters when they got older. It’s not much of a leap.

[@dirtyharry5320]

I'll tell you what happened, the neckbeards and the furries done took it over.

[@SonicfanTheNightfury5099]

Wow

[@GreenHotDogz]

THEY TOOK THE EMO PETER PARKER THING IN SPIDERMAN 3 SERIOUSLY WHAT.

[@razvandobos9759]

Hot Topic could one day just sell Saddam Hussein merch!

[@MiyuTheSceneGirl]

If I could take out the pop culture merch out of Hot Topic. Here’s the list of merch I would leave or take out from Hot Topic The pop culture merch I would leave in Hot Topic ----------------------- Ruby Gloom Emily the Strange Hello Kitty/Sanrio Tokidoki Domo Hatsune Miku Gloomy Bear Skeleanimals Invader Zim (Old Invader Zim merch from 2007-2015) Adventure Time My Little Pony Breaking Bad Tokyo Ghoul Death Note Soul Eater Ghostbusters Friday the 13th Nightmare on Elm Street Scream Halloween Child’s Play The Texas Chainsaw Massacre The Walking Dead Beetlejuice The Rocky Horror Picture Show Sleepy Hollow Harry Potter Coraline Corpse Bride The Nightmare Before Christmas Minecraft Pokémon Sally Face Bendy and the Ink Machine Silent Hill Resident Evil Five Nights at Freddy’s The pop culture merch I would take out of Hot Topic and move to BoxLunch ----------------------- Disney (Except for The Nightmare Before Christmas) SpongeBob SquarePants Steven Universe Over the Garden Wall Studio Ghibli Sailor Moon Sword Art Online Danganronpa Re:Zero Demon Slayer Inuyasha Naruto JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure My Hero Academia Hunter X Hunter One Punch Man Fairy Tail Dragon Ball Z Fruits Basket DC Marvel Star Wars Cuphead I would also leave the band merch and goth/emo/scene stuff in Hot Topic and take out pop, K-pop, rap, cottagecore, weirdcore, modern kawaii stuff, and memes out of Hot Topic and move them to BoxLunch. Hot Topic would also play pop/punk and screamo while BoxLunch would play pop, K-pop, and rap. So, Hot Topic would be mostly horror/goth/emo/scene and BoxLunch would be mostly for aesthetics/anime/superheroes/fandoms/memes. If I could add merch to Hot Topic it would be Slenderman, asdfmovie, and the old memes like the awesome face, troll face, Nyan Cat, etc. The old memes would be the only meme merch in Hot Topic. (When I said I would take out pop, I mean the pop music. Funko Pops would still be in Hot Topic)

[@kitty_screamz]

Please expose this on tiktok

[@caihender]

i only go to hot topic for the anime merch

[@overweighttwink6245]

Crybaby was not an 80s movie.

[@stormyknot]

Nov 2019

[@annatheemogirl8904]

My mom is going to come over for dinner