We seriously made history. Scroll thru our timeline now to see how we did it.

NOVEMBER, 1989 // First store opens in Montclair, CA – and we move our headquarters into the store’s backroom.

  • ♥ Founders Orv and LeAnn ♥

    ♥ Founders Orv and LeAnn ♥

  • Cramped quarters for our first Buyer Cindy.

    Cramped quarters for our first Buyer Cindy.

  • The black accessories sold the best. Taking a cue from our customers, our assortment started to get darker...and we loved it.

    The black accessories sold the best. Taking a cue from our customers, our assortment started to get darker…and we loved it.

  • We sold accessories, yet we did not sell clothes. The result? Disturbing naked mannequins.

    We sold accessories, yet we did not sell clothes. The result? Disturbing naked mannequins.

  • All hail the Hot Topic 80's green lightning bolt.

    All hail the Hot Topic 80’s green lightning bolt.

  • Welcome to Hot Topic.

    Welcome to Hot Topic.

  • Your one stop shop for socks, headbands, and hair scrunchies.

    Your one stop shop for socks, headbands, and hair scrunchies.

  • When someone tells us we began as a Goth store we just show them this photo.

    When someone tells us we began as a Goth store we just show them this photo.

  • Hoop earrings anyone?

    Hoop earrings anyone?

  • 2 words to describe our jewelry back then: Blinding sparkle.

    2 words to describe our jewelry back then: Blinding sparkle.

10 images


A little cramped, but super-close to our customers! (Aww.)

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