Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2012	May 25, 2012 Common Stock	May 25, 2012 Class A Common Stock
Entity Registrant Name	BON TON STORES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000878079
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 28, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,094,837	2,951,490
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1