SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Merchandise Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 28, 2017	Jan. 30, 2016
Merchandise Inventories
Merchandise inventories that were valued using FIFO cost basis (as a percent)	31.00%	31.00%
Merchandise inventories that were valued using LIFO cost basis (as a percent)	69.00%	69.00%
Inventory value in excess of FIFO Inventory	$ 6,837	$ 6,837
Lifo reserve	55,125	55,775
Cumulative inventory increases generated by computation of LIFO inventory	$ 61,962	$ 62,612

Represents the cumulative amount of inventory increases or (decrease) generated by its computation of LIFO inventory.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	bont_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The value of inventory in excess of FIFO inventory.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bont_InventoryValueInExcessOfFIFOInventory
Namespace Prefix:	bont_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount by which inventory stated at last-in first-out (LIFO) is less than (in excess of) inventory stated at other inventory cost methods.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(c))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryNetAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of FIFO (first in first out) inventory to total inventory as of the balance sheet date if other than 100 percent.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PercentageOfFIFOInventory
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage of LIFO (last in first out) inventory to total inventory as of the balance sheet date if other than 100 percent.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant