EXHIBIT 31.1



                                  CERTIFICATION

I, Byron L. Bergren, certify that:

     1. I have reviewed this amended report on Form 10-K of The Elder-Beerman
Stores Corp.;

     2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were
made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; and

     3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as
of, and for, the periods presented in this report.




Date:  October 15, 2003            By:  /s/  Byron L. Bergren
                                        ---------------------

                                   Name:   Byron L. Bergren
                                   Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer