Exhibit (a)(13)

                               [THE BON TON LOGO]
                              N E W S R E L E A S E

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                       CONTACT:
                                            Mary Kerr
                                            Divisional Vice President
                                            Corporate Communications
                                            (717) 751-3071

               THE BON-TON COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF ELDER-BEERMAN

      YORK, PA. -- OCTOBER 24, 2003--THE BON-TON STORES, INC. (NASDAQ: BONT)
today announced that it had completed its tender offer for all outstanding
shares of common stock of The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. (NASDAQ: EBSC) at a
price of $8.00 per share in cash.

      The Bon-Ton also stated that it had been advised by American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, the Depositary, that a total of 10,893,005 shares
(including 25,150 shares subject to guarantees of delivery) had been tendered
pursuant to the offer which expired at 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on Friday,
October 24, 2003, and that all such shares have been accepted for purchase in
accordance with the terms of the offer.

      Payment for shares properly tendered and accepted was made today to the
Depositary in accordance with the terms of the offer and, in the case of shares
tendered by guaranteed delivery procedures, will be made promptly after delivery
of shares and required documentation.

      In connection with the offering, The Bon-Ton has executed financing
agreements having a combined commitment of $575 million.

      Shortly after payment was made for the shares tendered in the offer,
Elder-Beerman and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of The Bon-Ton were merged
in accordance with the terms of Ohio law pursuant to which Elder-Beerman became
an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of The Bon-Ton. As a consequence of the
merger, all remaining Elder-Beerman shareholders are entitled to receive
$8.00 cash price for each of their shares.

      "Today marks an important milestone in the history of The Bon-Ton,"
said Tim Grumbacher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Bon-Ton. "We
are enthusiastic about working with this fine company and its dedicated
management and employees to realize the enormous strategic and operational
potential of this business combination. Together, we will operate 141 stores in
16 states, making us one of the largest independent retail department stores in
the country. The increased geographic presence realized by this merger, along
with the potential for continued growth, significant profit improvement and
stronger purchasing leverage, are all major benefits of this merger."


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      Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. is the
nation's ninth largest independent department store chain and operates 69 stores
in Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Wisconsin,
Pennsylvania and Iowa.

      The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., headquartered in York, Pennsylvania, operates 72
department stores in targeted markets in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, New
Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and West Virginia.
The stores carry a broad assortment of quality, brand-name fashion apparel and
accessories for women, men and children, as well as distinctive home
furnishings.

      Note: Statements made in this press release, other than statements of
historical information, are forward looking statements and are made pursuant to
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to
differ materially from those set forth in these statements.


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