Exhibit 99.1


           The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend


     YORK, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 30, 2005--The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
(Nasdaq:BONT) today announced the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of
2 1/2 cents per share on the Class A Common Stock and Common Stock of the
Company payable January 15, 2006 to shareholders of record as of January 1,
2006.
     James H. Baireuther, Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer,
commented, "We are pleased to announce this cash dividend to our shareholders.
We believe, given our liquidity and strong balance sheet, a cash dividend is an
appropriate avenue of return to our shareholders. Our Board of Directors will
consider dividends in subsequent periods as it deems appropriate."

     The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. operates 139 department stores and two furniture
stores in 16 states, from the Northeast to the Midwest under the Bon-Ton and
Elder-Beerman names. 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. The Bon-Ton and Elder-Beerman stores provide
high-quality merchandise at competitive prices delivered with top-quality
service in targeted markets. For further information, please visit the investor
relations section of the Company's website at www.bonton.com/investor/home.asp.

     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. Factors that could cause
such differences include, but are not limited to, risks related to retail
businesses generally, additional competition from existing and new competitors,
uncertainties associated with opening new stores or expanding or remodeling
existing stores, the ability to attract and retain qualified management, the
dependence upon key vendor relationships and the ability to obtain financing for
working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. Additional
factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ from those
contained in these forward looking statements are discussed in greater detail in
the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


    CONTACT: The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
             Mary Kerr
             Vice President
             Corporate Communications
             (717) 751-3071