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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.50in">

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December&nbsp;6, 2011
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt">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: 10pt"><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: 10pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 10pt"><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>
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<!-- 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 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">(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: 10pt">The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.<BR>
Retirement Contribution Plan<BR>
(Full title of the plan)
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">J. Gregory Yawman, Esquire<BR>
Vice President-General Counsel and Secretary<BR>
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.<BR>
2801 East Market Street<BR>
York, Pennsylvania 17402<BR>
<DIV style="margin-top: 1px"><FONT style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">(Name and address of agent for service)</FONT></DIV>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">(717)&nbsp;757-7660<BR>
<DIV style="margin-top: 1px"><FONT style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</FONT></DIV>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">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;smaller reporting company 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">&#254;</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"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">Smaller reporting company <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><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="46%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Proposed</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Proposed</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left">Title of</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left">securities to be</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Amount to be</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">offering price</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">aggregate</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Amount of</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left">registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">registered(1)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">per share(2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">offering price</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">registration fee</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, $.01 par value</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">2,000,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">3.06</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">6,120,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">701.35</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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




<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR style="font-size: 6pt">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>This Registration Statement registers under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;),
2,000,000 shares of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock which may be offered or sold pursuant to The Bon-Ton
Stores, Inc. Retirement Contribution Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;). Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416 under 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.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act this Registration Statement also covers an
indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Retirement
Contribution Plan.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&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;1, 2011 as quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<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">&nbsp;

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

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

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.50in">

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>EXPLANATORY NOTE</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (the &#147;Registrant&#148;) previously filed Registration Statements on Form
S-8 (File No.&nbsp;33-43105, File No.&nbsp;333-36725, File No.&nbsp;333-65120 and File No.&nbsp;333 -169063) (the
&#147;Prior Registration Statements&#148;) with respect to the Plan (as defined below). This Registration
Statement is being filed for the purpose of registering 2,000,000 additional shares of Common
Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Registrant for use in connection with The Bon-Ton Stores,
Inc. Retirement Contribution Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;). In accordance with General Instruction E of Form
S-8, the contents of the Prior Registration Statements are incorporated herein by reference. In
addition, all exhibits required by General Instruction E of Form S-8 are filed as exhibits hereto.
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">&nbsp;

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

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

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.50in">

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


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">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. Retirement Contribution Plan as specified by Rule
428(b)(1)(i) under the Securities Act of 1933.
</DIV>

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


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

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">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: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">(a)&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January&nbsp;29, 2011,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April&nbsp;13, 2011.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">(b)&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April&nbsp;30, 2011 and
July&nbsp;30, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June&nbsp;6, 2011 and September&nbsp;7,
2011, respectively .
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">(c)&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on February&nbsp;3, 2011, March&nbsp;15, 2011, March&nbsp;24, 2011, April&nbsp;15, 2011, May&nbsp;4, 2011, May
25, 2011, June&nbsp;15, 2011, August&nbsp;24, 2011, November&nbsp;4, 2011, November&nbsp;15, 2011, and December&nbsp;1,
2011.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">(d)&nbsp;The Plan&#146;s Annual Report on Form 11-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2010, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June&nbsp;28, 2011.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">(e)&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, including all amendments or reports filed for purposes of updating that description (other
than portions of such filings that are furnished under applicable SEC rules rather than filed).
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">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>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">&nbsp;

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

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

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.50in">

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

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">The following Exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:
</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="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="86%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Retirement Contribution Plan, as amended and restated April&nbsp;21, 2010
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to the Registration on Form&nbsp;S-8, File No.&nbsp;333 -169033, filed on
August&nbsp;26, 2010 (the &#147;2010 S-8&#148;))</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Retirement Contribution Plan &#151; Amendment for Pension Protection Act and Heart
Act (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.2 to the 2010 S-8)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">5.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of J. Gregory Yawman, Esquire as to the legality of the shares of Common Stock covered by this Registration Statement</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of KPMG LLP</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of J. Gregory Yawman, Esquire (contained in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">24</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Power of Attorney (included on signature pages of this Registration Statement)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>

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

<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; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.50in">

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


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">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 6th day of December,
2011.
</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 colspan="2" align="left" nowrap>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: 10pt">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: 10pt">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="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" 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" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ TIM GRUMBACHER
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
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" nowrap>December&nbsp;6, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- 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" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ BYRON L. BERGREN
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
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;6, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- 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" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ KEITH E. PLOWMAN
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Keith E. Plowman
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top" nowrap>Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer<BR>

(Principal Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting
Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;6, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- 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" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ LUCINDA M. BAIER
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Lucinda M. Baier
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;6, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- 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" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ PHILIP M. BROWNE
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Philip M. Browne
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;6, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- 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" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ MARSHA M. EVERTON
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Marsha M. Everton
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;6, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- 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" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ MICHAEL L. GLEIM
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Michael L. Gleim
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Lead Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;6, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- 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" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ TODD C. McCARTY
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Todd C. McCarty
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;6, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>


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

<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; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.50in">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">The Plan: Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
Retirement Contribution Plan 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 6th day of December, 2011.
</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="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="36%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left">THE BON-TON STORES, INC.<BR>
RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTION PLAN</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- 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>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- 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>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left">THE BON-TON STORES, INC.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- 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>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ KEITH E. PLOWMAN
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Keith E. Plowman
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <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" nowrap>Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer <BR>

and Principal Accounting Officer</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>

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

<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; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.50in">

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8<BR>
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="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="86%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>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 nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Retirement Contribution Plan, as amended and
restated April&nbsp;21, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to the
Registration on Form&nbsp;S-8, File No.&nbsp;333-169033, filed on August&nbsp;26, 2010 (the
&#147;2010 Form&nbsp;S-8&#148;))</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Retirement Contribution Plan &#151; Amendment for
Pension Protection Act and Heart Act (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.2 to the 2010 Form&nbsp;S-8)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">5.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of J. Gregory Yawman, Esquire as to the legality of the shares of
Common Stock covered by this Registration Statement</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of KPMG LLP</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of J. Gregory Yawman, Esquire (contained in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">24</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Power of Attorney (included on signature pages of this Registration Statement)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>


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

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

</BODY>
</HTML>
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{"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": "333-178338", "film-number": "111245494"}, "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 6, 2011
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.
Retirement Contribution Plan
(Full title of the plan)
J. Gregory Yawman, 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) 757-7660
(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 "smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(Check one):
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
þ
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
2,000,000
$
3.06
$
6,120,000
$
701.35
(1)
This Registration Statement registers under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
2,000,000 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock which may be offered or sold pursuant to The Bon-Ton
Stores, Inc. Retirement Contribution Plan (the "Plan"). Pursuant to Rule 416 under 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.
In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act this Registration Statement also covers an
indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Retirement
Contribution Plan.
(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 1, 2011 as quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (the "Registrant") previously filed Registration Statements on Form
S-8 (File No. 33-43105, File No. 333-36725, File No. 333-65120 and File No. 333 -169063) (the
"Prior Registration Statements") with respect to the Plan (as defined below). This Registration
Statement is being filed for the purpose of registering 2,000,000 additional shares of Common
Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Registrant for use in connection with The Bon-Ton Stores,
Inc. Retirement Contribution Plan (the "Plan"). In accordance with General Instruction E of Form
S-8, the contents of the Prior Registration Statements are incorporated herein by reference. In
addition, all exhibits required by General Instruction E of Form S-8 are filed as exhibits hereto.
PART I
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. Retirement Contribution 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 January 29, 2011,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 2011.
(b) The Registrant's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2011 and
July 30, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2011 and September 7,
2011, respectively .
(c) The Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on February 3, 2011, March 15, 2011, March 24, 2011, April 15, 2011, May 4, 2011, May
25, 2011, June 15, 2011, August 24, 2011, November 4, 2011, November 15, 2011, and December 1,
2011.
(d) The Plan's Annual Report on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 2011.
(e) 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, including all amendments or reports filed for purposes of updating that description (other
than portions of such filings that are furnished under applicable SEC rules rather than filed).
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:
4.1
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Retirement Contribution Plan, as amended and restated April 21, 2010
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration on Form S-8, File No. 333 -169033, filed on
August 26, 2010 (the "2010 S-8"))
4.2
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Retirement Contribution Plan — Amendment for Pension Protection Act and Heart
Act (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the 2010 S-8)
5.1
Opinion of J. Gregory Yawman, 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 J. Gregory Yawman, 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 6th day of December,
2011.
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 6, 2011
/s/ BYRON L. BERGREN
Byron L. Bergren
Director, President and Chief
Executive Officer (Principal
Executive Officer)
December 6, 2011
/s/ KEITH E. PLOWMAN
Keith E. Plowman
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting
Officer)
December 6, 2011
/s/ LUCINDA M. BAIER
Lucinda M. Baier
Director
December 6, 2011
/s/ PHILIP M. BROWNE
Philip M. Browne
Director
December 6, 2011
/s/ MARSHA M. EVERTON
Marsha M. Everton
Director
December 6, 2011
/s/ MICHAEL L. GLEIM
Michael L. Gleim
Lead Director
December 6, 2011
/s/ TODD C. McCARTY
Todd C. McCarty
Director
December 6, 2011
The Plan: Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
Retirement Contribution Plan 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 6th day of December, 2011.
THE BON-TON STORES, INC.
RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTION PLAN
By:
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
THE BON-TON STORES, INC.
By:
/s/ KEITH E. PLOWMAN
Keith E. Plowman
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting Officer
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No.
Document
4.1
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Retirement Contribution Plan, as amended and
restated April 21, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registration on Form S-8, File No. 333-169033, filed on August 26, 2010 (the
"2010 Form S-8"))
4.2
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Retirement Contribution Plan — Amendment for
Pension Protection Act and Heart Act (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.2 to the 2010 Form S-8)
5.1
Opinion of J. Gregory Yawman, 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 J. Gregory Yawman, Esquire (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
24
Power of Attorney (included on signature pages of this Registration Statement)