EXHIBIT 23.1





                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Board of Directors
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc:


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements
(Nos. 33-43105, 333-36725, and 333-65120) on Form S-8 of The Bon-Ton Stores,
Inc. of our report dated May 23, 2003, with respect to the statements of net
assets available for plan benefits of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Profit
Sharing/Retirement Savings Plan as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the
related statements of changes in net assets available for plan benefits for the
years then ended, and related schedule, which report appears in the December 31,
2002 annual report on Form 11-K of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Profit
Sharing/Retirement Savings Plan.


/s/ KPMG LLP

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
June 26, 2003