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): November 23, 2004
THE BON-TON STORES, INC.
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(Exact Name of Registrant Specified in Charter)
Pennsylvania 0-19517 23-2835229
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(State or Other (Commission File (I.R.S. Employer
Jurisdiction of Number) Identification No.)
Incorporation)
2801 E. Market Street
York, Pennsylvania 17402
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (717) 757-7660
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:
__ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
(17 CFR 230.425)
__ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.14a-12)
__ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
__ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e4(c))
ITEM 5.04. TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF TRADING UNDER REGISTRANT'S EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
PLANS.
On November 23, 2004, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (the "Company") received
the notice required by section 101(i)(2)(E) of the Employment Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 informing it that The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Retirement
Contribution Plan (the "Plan") is changing its record keeper and that, as a
result of this change, a blackout period involving the Plan will be in effect
from December 23, 2004 until January 16, 2005.
On November 23, 2004, the Company sent a notice to its directors and
executive officers informing them that the Plan is changing its record keeper
and that, as a result of this change, a blackout period will be in effect from
December 23, 2004 until January 16, 2005. During this blackout period, directors
and executive officers of the Company will be prohibited from purchasing,
selling or otherwise acquiring or transferring shares of Common Stock and Class
A Common Stock of the Company. The notice was provided to directors and
executive officers pursuant to Rule 104 of Regulation BTR. A copy of this notice
is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is
incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(c) Exhibits
99.1 Notice to directors and executive officers of The Bon-Ton Stores,
Inc. dated November 23, 2004.
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
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Keith E. Plowman
Senior Vice President, Finance
and Principal Accounting Officer
Dated: November 23, 2004