EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Changes in exit or disposal activities
Accrued balance at the beginning of the period	$ 420us-gaap_RestructuringReserve	$ 741us-gaap_RestructuringReserve	$ 612us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Provisions	2,552us-gaap_RestructuringCharges	1,388us-gaap_RestructuringCharges	7,818us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Payments	(1,693)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring	(1,709)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring	(7,689)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Accrued balance at the end of the period	1,279us-gaap_RestructuringReserve	420us-gaap_RestructuringReserve	741us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Restructuring plan related to stores closed in 2014
Exit or disposal activities
Number of stores closed	3
Restructuring plan related to stores closed in 2013
Exit or disposal activities
Number of stores closed		5
Restructuring plan related to stores closed in 2012
Exit or disposal activities
Number of stores closed			4
Associate termination costs
Changes in exit or disposal activities
Provisions	2,370	241	7,395
Payments	(1,324)	(750)	(7,266)
Associate termination costs \| Restructuring plan related to consolidation of eCommerce fulfillment activities
Changes in exit or disposal activities
Provisions	273
Associate termination costs \| Restructuring plan related to expense efficiency initiative
Changes in exit or disposal activities
Provisions	1,634
Associate termination costs \| Restructuring plan that enacted reductions in administrative and support functions in 2012
Changes in exit or disposal activities
Provisions			7,556
Other closing costs
Changes in exit or disposal activities
Provisions	182	1,147	423
Payments	$ (369)	$ (959)	$ (423)

Represents the number of stores closed.

No definition available.

Name:	bont_RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfStoresClosed
Namespace Prefix:	bont_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash payments made as the result of exit or disposal activities. Excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=bont_RestructuringPlanFiveMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=bont_RestructuringPlanFourMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=bont_RestructuringPlanOneMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: