In early '96 I became unmarried and moved into a rather large loft space in the city which I couldn't wholly afford. I was working and barely surviving as co-partner of a then-fledgling fetish store now well-known as Black Market Chicago. That same year, I began gathering a mailing list of those who would frequent the store; those potentially interested in perhaps attending play parties in my huge loft, if I were to set it up as a playspace to *perhaps* get some of my big rent paid. Later that year, I was approached by my friend "Fallopia" who suggested that my place would be the perfect setting for an AOL BDSM group gathering she was coordinating. (This is all really HER fault! Ha!) Fallopia introduced me to a man named Lawrence. Lawrence and I brainstormed how we'd pull it off and he went to work building equipment. My "No.1 Assistant" (at that time), Tina and Lawrence and I worked together on that party to make it the best possible experience for the attendees. The party happened and was a huge success and thus, "Monica's Loft Playspace" took on a life of its own. Each month I sent a mailing with invitations to scheduled play parties. The response was big and parties were well-attended. The mailing list grew and grew. Once-a-month parties turned into twice-a-month, turned into every weekend. And by year's end, Monica's Loft Playspace was definitely bigger than the amount of space in which I had to actually *live*. It had outgrown my living space and warranted being a bonafide club -- having it's own home.

So, Galleria Domain was born. The final mailing was sent out to everyone announcing that a new location had been found and rented and they were asked if they'd be so kind as to donate their membership EARLY so that we might build them their club. And so they did. We planned space rehab, new equipment and lavish decor for the new Galleria Domain. 150 people not only gave monetary contributions, but gave freely to me their confidence and trust before the club was even built! And then TWENTY-TWO VOLUNTEERS gave their blood, sweat and tears to the building of the playspace. Galleria Domain is, indeed, its members' club. Galleria Domain truly is a labor of love.