Shanghaiist: Should we free Freelance from our (old) Cotton's boycott?

eric

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 15:14:42 +0800

I passed the place yesterday and it seems as it closed it's doors, I am sorry he could not make it...

Vanessa Banales

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 06:55:22 +0800

I am trying to contact a Lance Haggard, who grew up in Riverside, California. Is this the same Lance Haggard, in China???? If so, email me at ness2462@sbcglobal.net

cottons fan

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 16:02:06 +0800

Ditto the dilema ... but the new Freelance bar is such a aesthetic contrast to the gloomy commercial trash that Shane was, and Lance is a nice guy, so the boycott is off. In fact, I think this might show the Shane people a lesson.

Jarrett

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 15:45:01 +0800

Cotton and Lance did work together at the old Blue Frog, and he's a good guy. Support him. The assholes that forced Cotton's out learned their lesson and had to close their bar, and in my opinion it's better to have a knowlegeable bar owner with a good venue than yet another clueless tenant. Besides, Cotton's doing just fine - so well it's hard to get a seat these days. I'm looking forward to some BBQ.

yu888

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 12:27:49 +0800

Maybe we should just ask Cotton what she thinks of this and then make our own personal decisions. i DO believe that Cotton knows Lance and so maybe her position should be something we take into consideration?

Dan

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 11:17:01 +0800

That could be true, Girl. This was just forwarded to us: Hello. I would like to introduce my new bar and restaurant, Freelance bar & grill located on 45 Yue Yang Road. It will be opening up April 7th. My name is Lance. Some of you may know me as I have been in Shanghai for three years. When I first arrived I ran Blue Frog on Mao Ming for one year after which I opened up Zapata’s for Theme Pub Company (Sasha’s, O’Malley’s, Zapata’s) and ran it for two years. During my time in Shanghai I have come to meet many interesting people, many who came with corporate jobs and loved the lifestyle so much that after their contracts ran out they stayed and are now doing something completely different from what they imagined they would. Some are writers, photographers, some source products but all are Freelancers. To me, Freelance is when you start living life on your terms. A loose ruled life where alarm clocks are not always needed but good times seem to be around much more than bad, a life unbound and unconventional but never boring. It is with these ideas that I welcome you to Freelance. Freelance will be a California style bar and grill. With a beautiful 200 sq meter garden and a completely redone interior I hope to bring the laid back feeling of California mixed with healthy and fresh grilled cuisine. The bar will feature everything from alternative rock to Jazz during the week to lounge on the weekends with DJs in the garden. For sporting events we have huge plasmas, projection screens and very soon we will offer American sports live (for those brave enough to stay up that late) from baseball, NBA, football and NCAA sports. We have free wireless for those who wish to check emails or do some work. We will have two full bars with drink specials throughout the week and happy hour Monday through Friday. In the summer you can enjoy great food, drinks and even live music in the garden. Our kitchen will open April 8th with a huge charcoal grill where we will prepare ribs, steaks, burgers, chicken, lamb and fish. Certain times during the month we will offer special “Smoke” nights where we will use different woods to impart great flavors on selected items. Our menu will focus on providing high quality grilled items with fresh rubs, spices and sauces all at reasonable prices. On Friday, April 7th we will have a Grand Opening party with open bar from 8pm-11pm. I hope that you can join me on this special night. If you would like any more information on the venue, menu or myself please feel free to contact me at [hidden]. Thanks, Lance Haggard Owner Freelance bar & grill 45 Yue Yang Road (Corner of Dong Ping Road) Shanghai, China 6431-6787 You probably shouldn't take this as an open invite to all, although maybe it is. For what it's worth, the person who sent the email said, "Quite a dilemma, but it's worth giving Lance a go."

girl

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 10:51:07 +0800

Didn't Lance and Cotton work together at Blue Frog on Maoming Lu way back when?

Pirx

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 05:30:13 +0800

There are more than enough places to go to. Let's adhere to boycotting anyone who screws us or attempts to do so, purely as a matter of solid principle. Our boycott is a contribution to inducing some ethics into Shanghai, the Whore of the Orient.

Jason

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 22:11:12 +0800

I think it is the same landlord, my understanding was that the master leaseholder on the property was(is) the ministry of education. The ministry probably rented it out to some well connected individual, my guess would be for an absurdly low price. That individual in turn rented out the property to Cotton at market value, and later screwed her.(though I did hear that at the time Cotton had not renewed her lease and was going month to month...not sure if that is true) Anyway, I have been faced with the same dilemma as I also pledged never to set foot in Shane's. (save for a few drunken trips from the beaver to cause a scene by demanding to speak to Cotton) But as you pointed out, Lance had nothing to do with it, and if he puts together a good place I'll probably lift my ban.