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<P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
<FONT style="font-size: 12pt">Washington, D.C. 20549
</FONT></B>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 18pt"><B>FORM 8-K</B>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>CURRENT REPORT<BR>
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 16, 2008</B>

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<P align="center" style="font-size: 24pt"><B>THE BON-TON STORES, INC.<BR></B>
<FONT style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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    <TD style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Pennsylvania</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>0-19517</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>23-2835229</B></TD>
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<TR valign="top">
    <TD>(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>(Commission File Number)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>(IRS Employer Identification No.)</TD>
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    <TD style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>2801 E. Market Street<BR>York, Pennsylvania<BR></B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>17402</B></TD>
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    <TD>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>(Zip Code)</TD>
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: <B>(717) 757-7660</B>


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    <TD nowrap>(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)</TD>
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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant
under any of the following provisions:

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<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT> Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)<BR><BR>
<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT> Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)<BR><BR>
<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))<BR><BR>
<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))<BR>


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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; display: none">1
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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7.01. Regulation&nbsp;FD Disclosure.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">On October&nbsp;14, 2008, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. issued a press release discussing its earnings guidance for the
fiscal year ending January&nbsp;31, 2009. The full text of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 and is
incorporated herein by reference.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">The information in this Report, including the exhibit attached hereto, is furnished solely pursuant to Item&nbsp;7.01
of this Form 8-K. Consequently, it is not deemed &#147;filed&#148; for the purposes of Section&nbsp;18 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. It may only be incorporated by reference in another
filing under the Exchange Act or Securities Act of 1933 if such subsequent filing specifically references this Form
8-K.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.</B>


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    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(d)</TD>
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    <TD>Exhibits</TD>
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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">99.1 Press Release issued October&nbsp;14, 2008 discussing earnings guidance for the fiscal year ending January&nbsp;31,
2009.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURE</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



<P align="left" style="margin-left:46%; font-size: 10pt">The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.



<P align="left" style="margin-left:46%; font-size: 10pt">By: <U><B>/</B>s/ Keith E. Plowman&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U><BR>
Keith E. Plowman<BR>
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial<BR>
Officer and Principal Accounting Officer<BR>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Dated: October&nbsp;16, 2008


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

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; display: none">2




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Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 16, 2008
THE BON-TON STORES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Pennsylvania
0-19517
23-2835229
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
2801 E. Market Street
York, Pennsylvania
17402
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(717) 757-7660
(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant
under any of the following provisions:
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On October 14, 2008, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. issued a press release discussing its earnings guidance for the
fiscal year ending January 31, 2009. The full text of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is
incorporated herein by reference.
The information in this Report, including the exhibit attached hereto, is furnished solely pursuant to Item 7.01
of this Form 8-K. Consequently, it is not deemed "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. It may only be incorporated by reference in another
filing under the Exchange Act or Securities Act of 1933 if such subsequent filing specifically references this Form
8-K.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits
99.1 Press Release issued October 14, 2008 discussing earnings guidance for the fiscal year ending January 31,
2009.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
By:
/
s/ Keith E. Plowman
Keith E. Plowman
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
Dated: October 16, 2008