Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Allowance for trade receivables (in Dollars)	$ 399	$ 452
Preferred stock par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	150,000	150,000
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in Dollars)	$ 15,000	$ 15,000
Preferred stock, dividend rate	7.00%	7.00%
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	50,321,559	50,262,139
Preferred Treasury Stock [Member]
Treasury Stock, shares	150,000	150,000
Common Treasury Stock [Member]
Treasury Stock, shares	4,032,784	4,032,784