Exhibit 23.1 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No.'s 333-48367, 333-48369, 333-58259 and 333-97463 of The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. on Form S-8 of our report dated March 20, 2003, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. for the year ended February 1, 2003. DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Dayton, Ohio April 17, 2003