Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013	Jul. 28, 2012	Mar. 29, 2013 Common Stock	Mar. 29, 2013 Class A Common Stock
Entity Registrant Name	BON TON STORES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000878079
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Feb. 02, 2013
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float		$ 86.9
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			16,826,215	2,951,490
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY