Moorpark shoppers will have more grocery choices in 2009 as two new grocers will open their doors.

One store will offer more products in large and small quantities, and the other will feature convenient pre-made meals, along with a selection of storebrand groceries.

The new businesses will also give a small boost to local employment statistics, since they create more than 100 local jobs.

The Moorpark Smart & Final Extra store in the Moorpark Marketplace, in the space formerly occupied by Linens 'n Things, is scheduled to open with a preview night Tues., Jan. 20.

"We are still working on the details of this event, but it is likely to include in-store product samplingentertainment, a ribbon-cutting and more," said Randall Oliver, spokesperson for Smart & Final.

The store's first full day in business will be Wed., Jan 21. The new business will employ about 90 people.

"In this economy, to have 90 job openings in Moorpark is huge," said Patrick Ellis, president of the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce.

The new Moorpark store is one of eight Smart & Final Extra stores that have opened or are slated to open in Southern California since this past summer.

The chain has regular Smart & Final stores in several nearby communities, such as Newbury Park, Simi Valley and Camarillo.

It decided to open a Moorpark location to offer area businesses and residents a "more convenient and enhanced shopping experience," said George Golleher, chair and CEO for the company.

The local Extra store is almost two times larger than a typical Smart & Final.

New sections like baby food, diapers, and health and beauty care will also be available, Oliver said.

"We believe the area's demographics are a strong match for our new Extra store concept, which offers not only the savings and convenience associated with a typical Smart & Final warehouse store, but also 4,500 additional products in smaller sizes to meet the weekly grocery shopping needs of households," he said.

Smart & Final is succeeding in today's market because the chain sells a large selection of grocery products at affordable prices, Oliver said.

The Moorpark location is currently hiring. People interested in working at the new store may apply at either the Thousand Oaks store at 2222 W. Hillcrest Drive or in Simi Valley at 1856 Erringer Road.

A Fresh & Easy neighborhood market is also preparing to open its doors at 144 W. Los Angeles Ave.

Parent company Tesco designed the Fresh & Easy markets to be smaller than typical supermarkets, from 10,000 to 15,000 square feet, similar in size to Trader Joe's.

The British grocery chain, which recently opened a store in Newbury Park and also has a location in Simi Valley, chose to locate a store in Moorpark to give customers "choices and value," said Brendan Wonnacott, spokesperson for the company.

"Everyone wants fresh, highquality foods at budget prices, and Moorpark is no exception," he said.

The Fresh & Easy motto is that people with busy lives shouldn't have to compromise.

"We offer a range of prepared meals, made fresh and delivered daily in our own kitchen, using the same fresh ingredients sold in the stores," Wonnacott said.

Customers don't have to use product coupons or loyalty cards to get discounts; however, they will notice differences that are unique to the chain. Most products are labeled with the store's brand name, and the selection of products is smaller than most regular supermarkets.

"We've kept things simple to make it easier for our customers and to keep our prices low for everyone," Wonnacott said.

Shoppers also have to check out their own groceries using a computerized scanning system.

"This helps us to keep our costs down so we can keep our prices low for our customers," Wonnacott said.

The company recently hired the 25 employees who will work at the Moorpark location.

The store's opening date is not set yet, but local residents are invited to nominate a local nonprofit organization to receive a $1,000 donation that will be donated to the selected group during the Moorpark store's opening day celebration.

Submission deadline for nominations is Jan. 9. To enter and for more information, visit www.freshandeasy.com.