Neo-Nazi Shops
In the 1990s, right-wing rock became a central means of politicizing and recruiting young people. Concerts and the sales of associated paraphernalia – recordings, T-shirts and other merchandise – became an important source of revenue for neo-Nazis. Neo-Nazis ran the store Buy or Die for right-wing skinheads in Bergedorf until it was closed in 1997. In the 2000s, other stores tried to establish themselves in Hamburg, such as Odin und Freya in St. Pauli and Nordic Thunder in Lokstedt. These stores also made it possible for Neo-Nazis to acquire music that was banned due to its anti-Semitic, racist or National Socialist lyrics, the sale of which was prohibited by law. They served as a first point of access to the scene, and as a place for neo-Nazis to network. There were frequent right-wing attacks in the vicinity of the stores.
By 2002, with increasing professionalization, Thor Steinar had become the best-known right-wing clothing brand, with annual sales of several million euros. Codes and allusions to a right-wing world view are packaged in a sporty style. The name itself is one such allusion: In Nordic-Germanic mythology, Thor is the god of strength, while Steinar refers to the Waffen SS general Felix Steiner. Thor Steinar opened its own stores throughout Germany, including the shop Brevik in Hamburg’s Mönckebergstraße in 2008. The store had to close after just one month due to constant protests.
Anti-fascist vigils and campaigns such as ‘Close down Nazi stores!’ often lead to the termination of tenancy agreements or the closure of businesses.
