Bud Bergren Quotations

We expect to realize cost savings beginning in 2006 from the consolidation of headquarters functions, achieving economies of scale and the adoption of best practices across the combined company. We fully expect this acquisition to be accretive to earnings in fiscal 2006.

We will devote additional resources and further enhance the merchandise offerings at the remaining Rockford area stores.

With the close of this acquisition, Bon-Ton has become a major player in the retail industry and the second largest regional department store operator in the country. We look forward to realizing the potential of this business combination.

Investing in key items proved to be very successful during the fourth quarter, and we continue to build upon this initiative.