Bon-Ton and its affiliated retail brands, including Carson's, Boston Store, Herberger's and Younkers, are back online, thanks to tech company CSC Generation. CSC Generation Holdings Inc., a Merrillville, Indiana, technology and retail investment firm, purchased the bankrupt retailer's trademarks, websites, customer lists and other intellectual property for $900,000 in federal bankruptcy court in Delaware. Now it is selling online as a department store chain in name, although the company's website appears to promise that opening stores is part of the plan. "We are re-building the business brick by brick," the website says. "In the meantime, we hope that you are enjoying shopping online, and sincerely hope to see you soon." News reports say CSC Generation is in negotiation with former Bon-Ton landlords about re-opening some locations in time for the holiday shopping season. Along with Bon-Ton's traditional apparel and home goods products, the new Bon-Ton will offer products such as large-screen TVs and major kitchen appliances. It also will have a lease-to-own offering for some of its merchandise.

The restart of Bon-Ton comes a few weeks after the department store chain closed its remaining brick-and-mortar locations.