EXHIBIT 99.1

                                CERTIFICATION(1)

         Pursuant to Section 906 of the Public Company Accounting Reform and
Investor Protection Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C.ss. 1350, as adopted), Elizabeth M.
McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer and President of Hot Topic, Inc. (the
"Company"), and James J. McGinty, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company,
each hereby certifies that, to the best of his or her knowledge:

1. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 3,
2002, and to which this Certification is attached as Exhibit 99.1 (the "PERIODIC
REPORT") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition of the Company at the end of the
period covered by the Periodic Report and results of operations of the Company
for the period covered by the Periodic Report.

Dated: September 4, 2002

/s/ Elizabeth M. McLaughlin                          /s/ James J. McGinty
- ---------------------------                          ---------------------------
Elizabeth M. McLaughlin                              James J. McGinty
Chief Executive Officer and President                Chief Financial Officer

- --------------
(1) THIS CERTIFICATION ACCOMPANIES THIS REPORT PURSUANT TO SS. 906 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 AND SHALL NOT BE DEEMED "FILED" BY THE COMPANY FOR
PURPOSES OF SECTION 18 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED.