Represents the sum of the carrying value of all the assets held in additional stores which require monitoring in future at the balance sheet date. Additional Stores that Will Require Monitoring in Future Assets Carrying Value Asset carrying value of additional stores which require close monitoring in future quarters Long Term Investments [Member] Represents the information pertaining to long-term investments of the entity. Long-term: Document and Entity Information Shares acquired to settle withholding taxes on the vesting of nonvested restricted stock Cash Used to Settle Withholding Taxes on Stock Option Exercises Represents the cash payments made by the entity to settle the withholding taxes due by employees as a result of the exercise of stock options or the vesting of unvested common stock. Use of Estimates Use of Estimates Use of Estimates [Text Block] Represents the details for the use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in one text block. Schedule of Components of Other Liabilities Noncurrent [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the carrying amounts of components of other long-term liabilities not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Schedule of components of other long-term liabilities Length of Fiscal Year Represents the length of fiscal years of the reporting entity. Length of fiscal year Maximum Term of Original Maturity to Classify Instruments as Cash Equivalents Represents the maximum original term of maturity for instruments to be classified as cash equivalents. Maximum maturity period of highly liquid investments to be considered as cash equivalents Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of exercises of stock options. Incremental shares from assumed exercises of stock options Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Exercises of Stock Options Amendment Description Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Vesting of Nonvested Restricted Stock Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of vesting of nonvested restricted stock. Incremental shares from assumed vesting of nonvested restricted stock Amendment Flag The alternative reference rates that may be used to calculate the variable interest rate of the debt instrument. Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Base [Axis] Identification of the reference rate that is used to calculate the variable interest rate of the debt instrument. Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Base [Domain] Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Base Federal Funds Rate [Member] The federal funds rate used to calculate the variable interest rate of the debt instrument. Federal Funds Rate Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Base LIBOR [Member] The London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) used to calculate the variable interest rate of the debt instrument. LIBOR Debt Instrument, Number of Covenants Number of financial covenants under the debt agreement. Number of covenants Tenant Improvement Allowances, Noncurrent Represents the noncurrent portion of tenant improvement allowances. Tenant improvement allowances Distribution Center in Savannah [Member] Represents the distribution center in Savannah, Georgia which is discontinued by the entity. Distribution center in Savannah, Georgia Percentage of Fair Value, Exceeding Carrying Value Reasonably Likely to Become Impaired Represents the approximate percentage by which fair value exceeds carrying value of assets (including goodwill) for reporting units in which assets are considered reasonably likely to become impaired in future periods. Excess of fair value over carrying value of assets (including goodwill) (as a percent) Effective Income Tax Rate if Work Opportunity Tax Credit had been Extended Effective income tax rate if WOTC had been extended (as a percent) Represents the effective income tax rate for continuing operations as if the Work Opportunity Tax Credit had been extended as of the beginning of the period. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [Member] EEOC Represents information pertaining to a letter of determination by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Prior Line of Credit [Member] Prior credit facility Represents information pertaining to prior credit facility. Line of Credit Facility Term Term of credit facility Represents the term of credit facility. Line of Credit Facility Accordion Borrowing Capacity Borrowing capacity, accordion feature Represents the uncommitted borrowing capacity under the credit facility attributable to the accordion feature, which is at the discretion of the lending group. Line of Credit Facility Accordion Expansion Maximum Borrowing Capacity Maximum borrowing capacity including accordion expansion Represents the maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility when the accordion option is exercised, without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. Line of Credit Facility, Covenants Period Prior to Cash Dividend Payment with No Outstanding Borrowings Period prior to cash dividend payment when no borrowings may be outstanding, per covenant Represents the period prior to the payment of cash dividends during which no borrowings may be outstanding, under the terms of the line of credit facility covenants. Line of Credit Facility, Covenants Period Subsequent to Cash Dividend Payment with No Borrowings Expected Period subsequent to cash dividend payment when no borrowings may be expected, per covenant Represents the period subsequent to the payment of cash dividends during which no borrowings may be expected, under the terms of the line of credit facility covenants. Current Fiscal Year End Date Debt Instrument Type of Borrowings [Axis] Identification of the type of borrowings under a debt instrument. Debt Instrument Type of Borrowings [Domain] List of type of borrowings under a debt instrument. LIBOR Rate Loans [Member] LIBOR Rate Loans Represents LIBOR Rate Loans. Base Rate Loans [Member] Base Rate Loans Represents Base Rate Loans. Represents the prime rate, which is used to calculate the variable interest rate of the debt instrument. Debt Instrument Variable Rate Prime Rate [Member] Bank of America's prime rate Loss Contingencies by Beneficiary [Axis] Information by intended or proposed beneficiary of the settlement sought in a legal or regulatory action. Loss Contingency Beneficiary [Domain] Identification of the intended or proposed beneficiary of the settlement sought in a legal or regulatory action. Former Male Employee [Member] Former male employee Represents information pertaining to a former male employee of the entity as the intended or proposed beneficiary of the settlement sought in a legal or regulatory action. Class of Unidentified Males [Member] Class of unidentified males Represents information pertaining to a class of unidentified males as the intended or proposed beneficiary of the settlement sought in a legal or regulatory action. Loss Contingency Settlement Sought in Regulatory Action Value Amount of recovery or settlement sought in regulatory matter The value (monetary amount) of the settlement sought in a regulatory action. Loss Contingency Settlement Proposed in Regulatory Action Value Amount of settlement proposed by the Company The value (monetary amount) of the settlement proposed by the entity in a counteroffer related to a regulatory action. Document Period End Date Tax Credit Carryforward Valuation Allowance Number of States Number of states in which ability to utilize tax credits is no longer more likely than not Represents the number of states related to the tax credit carryforward valuation allowance, in which the entity's ability to utilize tax credit carryforwards is not more likely than not. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Number of Underperforming Stores Number of underperforming stores Represents the number of underperforming stores. Number of Additional Stores that Will Require Monitoring in Future Number of additional stores that will require close monitoring in future Represents the number of additional stores that will require close monitoring in future. Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accrued Income Taxes, Current Income tax payable Accrued Employee Benefits, Current Accrued compensation Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued expenses Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation and amortization (in dollars) Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Paid-in-capital Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Shares excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share Antidilutive securities Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Asset Impairment Charges Asset impairment Non-cash impairment expense related to leasehold improvements and fixtures and equipment Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Asset Impairment Charges [Text Block] Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Assets [Abstract] Assets Net book value of assets held for sale Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation Assets, Current Total current assets Assets Total assets Assets Held-for-sale, Current Assets held for sale Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Decrease in accrual for purchases of property and equipment Cash and Cash Equivalents Disclosure [Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents/Concentration of Credit Risk Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Beginning of period End of period Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and Cash Equivalents/Concentration of Credit Risk Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing activities: Bank certificates of deposit Certificates of Deposit [Member] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies. Commitments and contingencies (note 10) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 32,000,000 shares; 15,305,570 shares issued as of October 27, 2012 and 15,062,300 shares issued as of January 28, 2012; 15,139,820 shares outstanding as of October 27, 2012 and 14,896,550 outstanding as of January 28, 2012 Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, Authorized shares Cost of Goods Sold Cost of sales Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Axis] Customer Advances, Current Layaway deposits Variable interest rate basis Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis Debt Security [Axis] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Revolving Line of Credit Revolving Line of Credit Margin added to variable rate (as a percent) Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Deferred rent Deferred Rent Credit, Noncurrent Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Noncurrent Deferred tax asset Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current Deferred tax asset Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Current Deferred tax asset Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Noncurrent Deferred tax asset Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Closure of Distribution Center Closure of Distribution Center Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Name [Domain] Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted net loss per common share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic net loss per common share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings per Share Earnings per Share Effective income tax rate (as a percent) Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations Excess Tax Benefit (Tax Deficiency) from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements Excess Tax Benefit (Tax Deficiency) from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Measurement Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Measurement Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Gain on insurance claims Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Loss on disposal of property and equipment Goodwill Goodwill. Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill Goodwill Gross Profit Gross profit Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Fair Value, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract] Fair Market Value Mature after one year through five years Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Net Carrying Amount Amortized Cost Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Net Carrying Amount [Abstract] Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Fair Value Mature in one year or less Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Fair Value Mature after one year through five years Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Holding Loss Gross Unrealized Losses Schedule of investment securities classified as held-to-maturity Held-to-maturity Securities [Table Text Block] Total Amortized Cost Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Net Carrying Amount Mature in one year or less Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Net Carrying Amount Amortized cost and fair market value of investment securities by contractual maturity Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract] Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value Total Fair Market Value Gross Unrealized Gains Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Holding Gain Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Closure of Distribution Center Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Loss before income tax (benefit) expense Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table] Disposal Group Name [Axis] Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax benefit Income Taxes Receivable Income tax receivable Income Taxes Receivable, Current Income tax receivable Income Taxes Paid Cash (refunds) payments of income taxes Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable, Net of Income Taxes Receivable Income tax receivable/payable Increase (Decrease) in Customer Advances Layaway deposits Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Receivable Income tax receivable/payable Increase (Decrease) in Employee Related Liabilities Accrued compensation Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventory Receivable for insurance proceeds on property and equipment Insurance Settlements Receivable Interest Expense Interest expense Interest Paid Cash paid for interest Inventory, Net Inventory Investment Income, Interest Interest income Investment Type Categorization [Domain] Investment Type [Axis] Schedule of amortized cost and fair market value of investment securities by contractual maturity Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block] Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Maximum borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Unused commitment fee (as a percent) Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage Revolving credit facility Line of Credit [Member] Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Revolving Line of Credit Line of Credit Facility [Table] Long-term Investments Long-term investment securities Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Commitments and Contingencies Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Major Types of Debt Securities [Domain] Maximum Maximum [Member] Financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net loss Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Net loss Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic [Abstract] Net income (loss) attributable to common shares Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted Diluted (in dollars per share) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recent Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Number of states in which company operates Number of States in which Entity Operates Number of Reportable Segments Number of reporting units Number of stores operated Number of Stores Operating Income (Loss) Loss from operations Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Other Long-Term Liabilities Other Other Sundry Liabilities, Noncurrent Other Assets, Noncurrent Other assets Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities total Other long-term liabilities Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Other Long-Term Liabilities Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Purchases of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Purchases of investment securities Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid and other current assets Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities Sales/redemptions of investment securities Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Proceeds from the exercise of stock options Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $136,997 and $118,875 as of October 27, 2012 and January 28, 2012, respectively Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations Repayments on capital lease obligations Restricted stock Restricted Stock [Member] Expenses incurred connection with the closure of distribution center Restructuring Charges Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Net sales Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Schedule of reconciliation of average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block] Investment securities classified as held to maturity Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items] Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Table] Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative expenses Share-based Compensation Noncash stock-based compensation expense Short-term Investments Short-term investment securities Short-term Investments [Member] Short-term: Statement [Table] Scenario [Axis] Statement [Line Items] Statement Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Stock options Stock Options [Member] Stockholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Valuation allowance Tax Credit Carryforward, Valuation Allowance Treasury Stock, Value Treasury stock, at cost; 165,750 shares as of October 27, 2012 and January 28, 2012 Treasury Stock, Shares Treasury stock, shares Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Unrealized loss on investment securities Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities Obligations of states and municipalities US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member] Obligations of the U.S. Treasury US Treasury Securities [Member] Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract] Weighted average number of shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Weighted average number of shares outstanding Reconciliation of average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Reconciliation [Abstract] Average number of common shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic (in shares) Average number of common shares and common stock equivalents outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted (in shares) Minimum Minimum [Member] Loss Contingency, Settlement Sought in Regulatory Action, Number of Charities for Unclaimed Amounts The number of charities to which any unclaimed funds of the settlement sought in a regulatory action are proposed to be directed. Number of charities to which unclaimed funds are proposed to be directed