About Ms Cotton Ding

Ms. Cotton Ding is a self-made entrepreneur, who founded Cotton’s restaurant & bar at the age of 26. At an early age she struggled to earn her means and finance her dream Of getting a higher education. To achieve her goals, she took several jobs starting as a shoe shining girl, factory worker, waitress and bartender. She landed her first job in a Western restaurant by learning the phrase: “Hi, My name is Cotton. I am from Hunan.” Working at night and studying during the day she was able to attend university. After graduating, she found herself jobless, penniless and hungry, so she took a job as a bartender in a Western bar. She soon developed a passion for mixology and customer service. “1 became the best bartender I could be. I was making new cocktails all the time. The staff and guest loved me – when I was behind the bar the whole place lit up.” One day a customer mistakenly thought she was the owner and asked her to buy shares. When she told him she was only the bartender he said; “What a shame! You should open your own place.” Seven months later in 2003, Ms Ding opened her first Today Ms. Ding is the proud owner of two beautiful restaurant & bars located in villas around the French concession with her name, Cotton.

The Story Behind The Name ‘Cotton’

“Cotton is my name and the name I gave my restaurant-bar. You might wonder why I picked it? A cotton flower symbolizes character and inner strength. A cotton flower is soft, warm, and is full Of sunshine.

 

关于我们

2003年, 第一家棉花酒吧在岳阳路开张. 棉花小姐觉得和她一样, 她所有的朋友都是异乡人.异乡人在异地要一个可以放松的家.

一个家: 在炎热的日子里, 在美丽的花园里度过慵懒的夏日. 在寒冷的冬天, 簇拥着温暖的壁炉. 于是2003年的9月, 第一家棉花酒吧一开张, 高朋满座, 成为上海的一个绿洲.

 

关于棉花.

 

17岁那年在家乡擦皮鞋。20岁那年在上海一个电子工厂流水线工作。22岁那年学习调酒,同时在广州美院学习设计。24岁那年重返上海,做调酒师。26岁那年开第一家Cottons.

人生是那样奇妙的行程。每一段路,不管有多少艰辛。而我一直沒心沒肝的快乐。

那份快乐,仿佛是阳光。沒有任何东西可以阻挡阳光不是吗?

而棉花就是温暖,就是做那份无法抵挡的阳光

 

--cotton ding