By Carol Coultas,Business Writer

AUBURN – Teens in desperate need of a System Of A Down T-shirt or a Morbid Threads vinyl skirt, take heart – Hot Topic is opening at the Auburn Mall.

The national retailer, which specializes in music, clothes and pop culture, is expected to be open by Thanksgiving. Work on the 2,000-square-foot store began last week.

“They are looking for employees now,” said David Lee, mall manager. “Everything is going full speed ahead.”

The store is going in across from Pac Sun, the other teen-oriented retailer that the mall landed this year. Last year, Lee said mall marketers were making a concerted effort to lure youth-oriented retailers to revive its mix of stores.

“This was a focus store – one of the ones we were hoping to add,” said Lee.

Negotiations with Hot Topic seemed to stall midyear, but then revived about a month ago when Hot Topic brokers contacted the mall.

“They said they had renewed interest, and asked, How quickly can you move?'” said Lee, adding he didn’t know exactly what sparked the change of heart.

Lee said the mall was able to accommodate the store and get it in for the holiday season. Emily’s Cards and Maine Gifts had been in that location, but moved to an expanded location where the Hallmark store once was. Lee declined to say what the mall’s occupancy rate is now, except to note that the seasonal stores such as Hickory Farms will make the mall “full and vital for the holidays.”

The clothes and accessories at Hot Topic reflect a variety of music-influenced lifestyles, including streetwear, punk, lounge, club and Goth. Founder Orv Madden wanted a store that melded trends in music videos, alternative artists and teen fashions when he opened the first store in 1988. There are now more than 600; other Maine stores are in South Portland and Bangor.

The retailer targets shoppers between 12 and 22 years old. Besides apparel, it offers body jewelry, posters, CDs and other accessories geared toward teens. The chain expected to open 65 new stores in 2005. It reported nearly $700 million in sales over the last 12 months.