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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Deb8kVOduEeydAzDQr6EuT9ZY0+MEMczwplqhDeYbFi1oUvnkMIWVLEcM+A/5Qah
 Cha5l+cliNpRWMtYpz3Arw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-10-019043.txt : 20100712
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-10-019043.hdr.sgml : 20100712
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100712103514
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-10-019043
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100708
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100712
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100712

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DAWE SHIRLEY A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001164476
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			A6
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19517
		FILM NUMBER:		10947402

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O THE BON-TON STORES INC
		STREET 2:		2801 E MARKET ST PO BOX 2821
		CITY:			YORK
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17405
</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>2010-07-08</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001164476</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DAWE SHIRLEY A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2801 EAST MARKET STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>17402</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-07-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1670</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>51473</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares of Common Stock were issued to the reporting person in the form of Restricted Stock Units pursuant to the Company's 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan. These Restricted Stock Units are common stock equivalents and may be settled solely by delivery of an equal number of shares of Common Stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Keith E. Plowman, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-07-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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