Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015	Nov. 27, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	BON TON STORES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000878079
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 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	Q3
Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,178,127
Class A Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		2,951,490