Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Jul. 30, 2011	Mar. 23, 2012 Common Stock	Mar. 23, 2012 Class A Common Stock
Entity Registrant Name	BON TON STORES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000878079
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Jan. 28, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-28
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float		$ 132.4
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			16,981,176	2,951,490
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY