The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. said Thursday that it will convert its Elder-Beerman department store in Green

Bay to a furniture gallery operating under the Younkers name.

Construction is expected to begin on the 55,000-square-foot gallery in March with the completion scheduled for July. Bon-Ton, the York, Pa.-based operator of Boston Store, Elder-Beerman, Younkers, Carson Pirie Scott and other department store chains, will continue to operate its Younkers full-line department store at the Bay Park Mall location in Green Bay.

Bon-Ton (NYSE: BONT) anticipates that most, if not all, of the affected associates will have opportunities in expanded positions in the Younkers Bay Park Mall store and the newly created furniture gallery. If the company is unable to place an affected associate in another position, the associate will receive career transition benefits, including severance and state employment service support.