WATERVILLE(AP) – L.L. Bean Inc. plans to expand its call center operation in this central Maine city and is looking at four potential sites.

The outdoors outfitter has operated a call center at the former Rich’s department store building at the JFK Mall since 1997.

That center employs up to 700 people at peak times of the year, but Bean said a lack of parking at the site has proven to be a perennial problem.

Rich Donaldson, a spokesman for the Freeport-based company, said Bean has reviewed two of the prospective sites and will soon be looking at the two others. He expects a decision within about a month.

Bean, which also has call centers in Portland and Lewiston, hopes to have the new center up and running by next summer.

“We love the Waterville area,” Donaldson said. “We have high-caliber people working there, and it’s a nice area in which to do business. We’re committed to staying in Waterville, and now it’s a matter of finding a more suitable location.”

AP-ES-05-19-04 1254EDT