Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 30, 2016	Mar. 25, 2016	Aug. 01, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	BON TON STORES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000878079
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Jan. 30, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 65.8
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Class A Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		2,951,490
Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,095,177