YORK, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: BONT - News) today announced that it will close its 167,900 square foot Elder-Beerman store in Hamilton, Ohio. The leasehold interest in the Hamilton location was acquired by Bon-Ton in 2003 as part of the Elder-Beerman acquisition. The lease, which is expiring March 31, 2009, has not been renewed. The closing will impact approximately 75 associates. The closing costs for the location will not be material. The location is scheduled to close by mid-March 2009.

Bud Bergren, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The Company continually reviews the performance of its assets, and following a review of the Hamilton location, we made the decision to close the store. We sincerely appreciate the loyalty and dedication of our associates and the support of our Hamilton customers. We remain committed to our customers in this community and encourage them to visit our Elder-Beerman store in the Middletown Mall, which continues to be a very good location for the Company.”

The affected associates at the Hamilton location will be provided an opportunity to consider available opportunities at the Middletown or Dayton stores or receive career transition benefits, including severance according to established practices and state employment service support.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. operates 281 stores, including twelve furniture galleries, in 23 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers nameplates and, under the Parisian nameplate, stores in the Detroit, Michigan area. The stores offer a broad assortment of brand-name fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings. For further information, please visit the investor relations section of the Company’s website at http://investors.bonton.com.