An executive for Big Y supermarkets said Wednesday that her company hopes to release more information later this week about whether A&P stores in Mystic and Old Lyme would continue to operate.

Clare D'Amour-Daly, the company's vice president for corporate communications, said the firm is still evaluating the stores, their staffing needs and what type of work has to be done at each site. The company is also hiring workers.

Big Y, which is based in Springfield, Mass., has purchased seven A&P supermarkets in Connecticut and is deciding which ones to convert to its so-called World Class Markets. Big Y takes control of the sites Nov. 1.

Company President Charles D'Amour said last month that after the evaluation period, the company will close the stores briefly to make minor renovations before reopening a number of them. Big Y is also interviewing A&P workers for jobs.

Big Y already has 25 stores in Connecticut, including ones in Groton and Norwich.

Stonington First Selectman Ed Haberek wrote to D'Amour last week to inquire about the status of the Mystic A&P.

"I feel our community and its residents would benefit greatly from your organization," wrote Haberek, asking for confirmation about the conversion of the store.

Haberek said he also heard from a company official on Wednesday who told him that plans for the Mystic store would be announced by the end of the week.

j.wojtas@theday.com