Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Preferred Treasury Stock [Member]	Common Treasury Stock [Member]	Comprehensive Income [Member]	Total
Balance at May. 02, 2009	$ 150	$ 500	$ 27,153	$ 160,209		$ (5,100)	$ (12,900)
Beginning of year (in Shares) at May. 02, 2009									50,045,000
Stock options exercised (in Shares)									144,000
Cash flow hedges					3			3
Comprehensive income								32,856
Net income				32,853				32,853	32,853
Cash dividends				(62,295)
Stock options exercised			264						266
Stock-based compensation			349
Stock-based tax benefits			384
Stock options exercised		2
Balance at May. 01, 2010	150	502	28,150	130,767	3	(5,100)	(12,900)		141,572
End of year (in Shares) at May. 01, 2010									50,189,000
Stock options exercised (in Shares)									73,000
Cash flow hedges					2,748			2,748
Comprehensive income								43,502
Net income				40,754				40,754	40,754
Cash dividends				(106,314)
Stock options exercised			208						209
Stock-based compensation			446
Stock-based tax benefits			921
Stock options exercised		1
Balance at Apr. 30, 2011	150	503	29,725	65,207	2,751	(5,100)	(12,900)		80,336
End of year (in Shares) at Apr. 30, 2011									50,262,139
Stock options exercised (in Shares)									60,000
Cash flow hedges					(3,063)			(3,063)
Other					(330)			(330)
Comprehensive income								40,600
Net income				43,993				43,993	43,993
Stock options exercised			115						115
Stock-based compensation			290
Stock-based tax benefits			295
Balance at Apr. 28, 2012		$ 503	$ 30,425	$ 109,200	$ (642)				$ 121,636
End of year (in Shares) at Apr. 28, 2012									50,321,559