-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 RL+GJ7bf/iWjitS4/78lECn+srqZkmfxA5h0uetXZPAMES6c8LqkTjzZfS53kYrh
 XGUwP3MGnuYRLNRM1LtSFg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-10-012027.txt : 20100426
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-10-012027.hdr.sgml : 20100426
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100426161204
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-10-012027
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100422
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100426
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100426

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GRUMBACHER M THOMAS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000938690

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19517
		FILM NUMBER:		10770513

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2801 EAST MARKET STREET
		CITY:			YORK
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17402

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BON TON STORES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000878079
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-DEPARTMENT STORES [5311]
		IRS NUMBER:				232835229
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2801 E MARKET ST
		CITY:			YORK
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17402-2406
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7177577660

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 2821
		CITY:			YORK
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17405-2821
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-04-22</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000878079</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BON TON STORES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BONT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000938690</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GRUMBACHER M THOMAS</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O THE BON-TON STORES, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2801 EAST MARKET STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>17402</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <officerTitle>Executive Chairman</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-04-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>545237</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1238227</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>337307.9</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 401(k) Plan</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-04-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>545237</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>545237</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2951490</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This transaction constituted an exchange of shares of Common Stock by Mr. Grumbacher for the same number of shares of Class A Common Stock owned by various trusts for his children.  The Class A Common Stock is convertible into Common Stock at any time on a one-for-one basis.  Mr. Grumbacher and such trusts are parties to a Shareholders' Agreement under which the Trusts are subject to restrictions on transfer of their Class A Common Stock, and Mr. Grumbacher has a right of first refusal and other purchase rights relating to such Class A Common Stock.  This exchange was effected in reliance upon the exemption from the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, by virtue of Rule 16b-6(b) thereunder.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These shares are held under The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Profit Sharing/Retirement Savings Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Keith E. Plowman, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-04-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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