Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2015	Aug. 28, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	BON TON STORES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000878079
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Aug. 01, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-30
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,008,327
Class A Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		2,951,490