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During the 1990’s UBUS Books & Things, a full service bookstore, Health Foods store, among many other products and services, was located in Hampton, Virginia.

H. Khalif Khalifah and his wife Reda Faard, owners of the retail business were separated by the death of Reda in 1997. Widower Khalifah closed the store in the year 2000 and moved the remaining business 75 miles west to Southampton County, Virginia; on a tract of land that was part of the birth land of Nat Turner.

Now he has formed a Partnership with one of the some 600 writers, and one of his book buyers, Esquire News, he has published over the years to re-open the UBUS Bookstore model.

While retail Bookstores have been closing throughout America, Terrence M. Moore-El opened UBUS Books Plus August 8, 2011 in Newport News, VA. Mr. Moore-EL intends to “buck” the poor economy with the addition of the “plus,” excellent Customer Service and a full range of products, with deep discounts on “name brand” books.

A regular feature of UBUS Books, will be guest appearances by published writers.  Many of the authors will include local authors who will have another outlet to showcase their talents. The Newport News native expects these and other innovations will allow for success, even in these so-called bad economic times.

            The innovations include photography, cut rate computer services for students who may need internet access, faxing, copies, youth book clubs, self empowerment workshops and what may be the most innovative of all, regular scheduled educational tours of the Nat Turner Trail in Southampton County, VA.

With the ease of accessibility, “tours to the place where the most important event in Black America happened is destined to become one of the      “must see” places in Black America.”    So stated H. Khalif Khalifah, the former owner of “Books & Things.”  

As Senior Tour Guide, Khalifah is one of the most knowledgeable about the history of Nat Turner and The Nat Turner Trail. He coined the phrase when he first began conducting tours in the early 1990’s. The Tour is a revisit to the places that Nat Turner attacked, and was victorious during the revolt of 1831.

 But with all the above said, selling books in the Hampton Roads area and abroad, including correctional facilities will make or break UBUS BOOKS PLUS.

Many of the classic books published by UBUS more than 20 years ago will be sold in the new retail store. The classics include: “Stolen Legacy” to social commentary, “The Mis-education of the Negro,” to “Message to the Blackman” and “How to Eat to Live.”

TERRANCE MOORE-EL: MANAGING PARTNER

A fresh, enterprising face in the bookselling business, Managing Partner, Terrance will add titles that were not previously available via UBUS. These include Urban Romance Novels, Self Help and Religious books.  UBUS Books Plus will also take in manuscripts for Publication consideration.

Partner H. Khalif Khalifah will be a full time Publishing Consultant to the store – giving hands on, direct training to UBUS Books Plus Staff, on and off site. The publishing include printing, graphic arts design and distribution of products, using outlets that have served UBUS Communications Systems for more than 37 years.

        The store is located at 2005 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. There will be a Grand Opening on October 15. Telephone   757-643-3854   757-643-3854 for more information about UBUS BOOKS Plus.

by H. Khalif Khalifah

(434) 378-2140