Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2016	Aug. 26, 2016
Entity Registrant Name	BON TON STORES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000878079
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 30, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-28
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,559,325
Class A Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		2,951,490