<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December&nbsp;31, 2008<BR>
Registration No.&nbsp;333-
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Pennsylvania
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">23-2835229</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction of
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">incorporation or organization)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">2801 East Market Street, York, Pennsylvania
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">17402</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Address of principal executive offices)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.<BR>
Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Incentive and Performance-Based Award Plan<BR>
(Full title of the plan)<BR>
Robert E. Stern, Esquire<BR>
Vice President-General Counsel and Secretary<BR>
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.<BR>
2801 East Market Street<BR>
York, Pennsylvania 17402<BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)<BR>
(717)&nbsp;751-3285<BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</DIV>




<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated
filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer,&#148; and &#147;small reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(Check one):
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Large accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Accelerated filer
<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Non-accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Smaller reporting company <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="5" valign="top" align="center">(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)<BR></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="12%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">Title of</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">securities to be</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Amount to be</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">offering price</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">aggregate</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Amount of</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">registered(1)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">per share(2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">offering price</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">registration fee</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, $.01 par value</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">1,000,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$1.04</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$1,040,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$40.87</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), this Registration
Statement also covers such additional shares as may hereafter be offered or issued to prevent dilution
resulting from stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or certain other capital adjustments.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act based upon the average of the high and low
prices of the Registrant&#146;s common stock on December&nbsp;29, 2008 as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>





<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>







<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!--TOC-->
<!--/TOC-->






<!-- link1 "PART I" -->

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><U>PART I</U>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">This Registration Statement is filed for the purpose of registering 1,000,000 additional shares of
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (the &#147;Registrant&#148;) for use in
connection with The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Incentive and
Performance-Based Award Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;). A Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 (No.&nbsp;333 &#151; 139107)
(the &#147;Prior Registration Statement&#148;) relating to the Plan is effective. Accordingly, in accordance
with General Instruction E to the Form S-8, the Company incorporates by reference herein the
contents of the Prior Registration Statement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">A prospectus setting forth the information required by Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to
participants in The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Incentive and
Performance-Based Award Plan as specified by Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1)(i) under the Securities Act of 1933.
</DIV>

<!-- link1 "PART II" -->

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><U>PART II</U><BR>
<U>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</U>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference" -->

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Item&nbsp;3. <U>Incorporation of Documents by Reference</U>.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are incorporated into this Registration Statement by reference:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February&nbsp;2, 2008,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April&nbsp;16, 2008.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May&nbsp;3, 2008, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June&nbsp;11, 2008, for the quarter ended August&nbsp;2, 2008,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September&nbsp;10, 2008 and for the quarter ended
November&nbsp;1, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December&nbsp;10, 2008.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on February&nbsp;29, 2008, March&nbsp;11, 2008, March&nbsp;19, 2008, March&nbsp;27, 2008, May&nbsp;21, 2008, May
22, 2008, August&nbsp;21, 2008, August&nbsp;27, 2008, October&nbsp;16, 2008, November&nbsp;18, 2008 and November&nbsp;20,
2008.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)&nbsp;The description of the Registrant&#146;s common stock contained in the Registrant&#146;s
Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April&nbsp;17,
1996.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e)&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
to this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or
which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such
documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes hereof to the extent that a statement contained herein
(or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated by reference herein)
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed
to constitute a part hereof except as so modified or superseded.
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits" -->

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Item&nbsp;8. <U>Exhibits</U>.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">The following Exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">




<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">5.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Opinion of Robert E. Stern, Esquire as to the legality of the shares of
Common Stock covered by this Registration Statement</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">23.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of KPMG LLP</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">23.2</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of Robert E. Stern, Esquire (contained in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">24</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Power of Attorney (included on signature pages of this Registration Statement)</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">



</TABLE>
</DIV>
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY" -->

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of York, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on this 31st day of December,
2008.
</DIV>


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">THE BON-TON STORES, INC.<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ KEITH E. PLOWMAN
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Keith E. Plowman &nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD NOWRAP colspan="2" align="left">Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer<BR>
and Principal Accounting Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below
constitutes and appoints Byron L. Bergren and Keith E. Plowman, signing singly, the undersigned&#146;s
true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for
the undersigned and in the undersigned&#146;s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign
any and all amendments to this Registration Statement (including, without limitation,
post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement), and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agents, or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities with the Registrant indicated, on the dates
indicated.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ TIM GRUMBACHER<br>
Tim Grumbacher
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;31, 2008</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ BYRON L. BERGREN<br>
Byron L. Bergren
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director, President and Chief Executive
Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;31, 2008</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ KEITH E. PLOWMAN<br>
Keith E. Plowman
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;31, 2008</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ LUCINDA M. BAIER<br>
Lucinda M. Baier
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;31, 2008</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ ROBERT B. BANK<br>
Robert B. Bank
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;31, 2008</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ PHILIP M. BROWNE<br>
Philip M. Browne
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;31, 2008</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ SHIRLEY A. DAWE<br>
Shirley A. Dawe
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;31, 2008</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ MARSHA M. EVERTON<br>
Marsha M. Everton
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;31, 2008</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ MICHAEL L. GLEIM<br>
Michael L. Gleim
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;31, 2008</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ THOMAS K. HERNQUIST<br>
Thomas K. Hernquist
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"> Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;31, 2008</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ TODD C. McCARTY<br>
Todd C. McCarty
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;31, 2008</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>

<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B></DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="92%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Document</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Robert E. Stern, Esquire as to the legality of the shares of
Common Stock covered by this Registration Statement</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of KPMG LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Robert E. Stern, Esquire (contained in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on signature pages of this Registration Statement)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "w72112sv8.htm", "description": "S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 32046}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "BON TON STORES INC", "cik": "0000878079", "assigned-sic": "5311", "irs-number": "232835229", "state-of-incorporation": "PA", "fiscal-year-end": "0131"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-156523", "film-number": "081277382"}, "business-address": {"street1": "2801 E MARKET ST", "city": "YORK", "state": "PA", "zip": "17402-2406", "phone": "7177577660"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "P O BOX 2821", "city": "YORK", "state": "PA", "zip": "17405-2821"}}
sv8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 31, 2008
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Pennsylvania
23-2835229
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
2801 East Market Street, York, Pennsylvania
17402
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Incentive and Performance-Based Award Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Robert E. Stern, Esquire
Vice President-General Counsel and Secretary
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
2801 East Market Street
York, Pennsylvania 17402
(Name and address of agent for service)
(717) 751-3285
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated
filer," "accelerated filer," and "small reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(Check one):
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Proposed
Title of
maximum
maximum
securities to be
Amount to be
offering price
aggregate
Amount of
registered
registered(1)
per share(2)
offering price
registration fee
Common Stock, $.01 par value
1,000,000
$1.04
$1,040,000
$40.87
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), this Registration
Statement also covers such additional shares as may hereafter be offered or issued to prevent dilution
resulting from stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or certain other capital adjustments.
(2)
Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act based upon the average of the high and low
prices of the Registrant's common stock on December 29, 2008 as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market.
PART I
This Registration Statement is filed for the purpose of registering 1,000,000 additional shares of
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (the "Registrant") for use in
connection with The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Incentive and
Performance-Based Award Plan (the "Plan"). A Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333 — 139107)
(the "Prior Registration Statement") relating to the Plan is effective. Accordingly, in accordance
with General Instruction E to the Form S-8, the Company incorporates by reference herein the
contents of the Prior Registration Statement.
A prospectus setting forth the information required by Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to
participants in The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Incentive and
Performance-Based Award Plan as specified by Rule 428(b)(1)(i) under the Securities Act of 1933.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference
.
The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are incorporated into this Registration Statement by reference:
(a) The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 16, 2008.
(b) The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 3, 2008, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 11, 2008, for the quarter ended August 2, 2008,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 10, 2008 and for the quarter ended
November 1, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 10, 2008.
(c) The Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on February 29, 2008, March 11, 2008, March 19, 2008, March 27, 2008, May 21, 2008, May
22, 2008, August 21, 2008, August 27, 2008, October 16, 2008, November 18, 2008 and November 20,
2008.
(d) The description of the Registrant's common stock contained in the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17,
1996.
(e) All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
to this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or
which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such
documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes hereof to the extent that a statement contained herein
(or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated by reference herein)
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed
to constitute a part hereof except as so modified or superseded.
Item 8.
Exhibits
.
The following Exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:
5.1
Opinion of Robert E. Stern, Esquire as to the legality of the shares of
Common Stock covered by this Registration Statement
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2
Consent of Robert E. Stern, Esquire (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
24
Power of Attorney (included on signature pages of this Registration Statement)
SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of York, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on this 31st day of December,
2008.
THE BON-TON STORES, INC.
By:
/s/ KEITH E. PLOWMAN
Keith E. Plowman
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting Officer
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below
constitutes and appoints Byron L. Bergren and Keith E. Plowman, signing singly, the undersigned's
true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for
the undersigned and in the undersigned's name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign
any and all amendments to this Registration Statement (including, without limitation,
post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement), and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agents, or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities with the Registrant indicated, on the dates
indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ TIM GRUMBACHER
Tim Grumbacher
Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors
December 31, 2008
/s/ BYRON L. BERGREN
Byron L. Bergren
Director, President and Chief Executive
Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
December 31, 2008
/s/ KEITH E. PLOWMAN
Keith E. Plowman
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
December 31, 2008
/s/ LUCINDA M. BAIER
Lucinda M. Baier
Director
December 31, 2008
/s/ ROBERT B. BANK
Robert B. Bank
Director
December 31, 2008
/s/ PHILIP M. BROWNE
Philip M. Browne
Director
December 31, 2008
/s/ SHIRLEY A. DAWE
Shirley A. Dawe
Director
December 31, 2008
/s/ MARSHA M. EVERTON
Marsha M. Everton
Director
December 31, 2008
/s/ MICHAEL L. GLEIM
Michael L. Gleim
Director
December 31, 2008
/s/ THOMAS K. HERNQUIST
Thomas K. Hernquist
Director
December 31, 2008
/s/ TODD C. McCARTY
Todd C. McCarty
Director
December 31, 2008
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Document
5.1
Opinion of Robert E. Stern, Esquire as to the legality of the shares of
Common Stock covered by this Registration Statement
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2
Consent of Robert E. Stern, Esquire (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
24
Power of Attorney (included on signature pages of this Registration Statement)