Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 64,834	$ 58,851	$ 44,985
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	21,825	21,822	21,829
Provision For Doubtful Accounts	1,723	2,827	3,643
Share Based Compensation	2,559	2,341	2,063
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(417)	(468)	(201)
Deferred income taxes	(1,944)	4,531	113
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	743	733	1,624
Changes in operating assets and liabilities which provided (used) cash:
Accounts receivable	(5,044)	(2,376)	339
Merchandise inventories	13,646	(14,380)	(4,304)
Prepaid and other assets	(1,968)	10	1,072
Accrued income taxes	3,700	1,389	(365)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(18,316)	4,196	13,891
Net cash provided by operating activities	81,341	79,476	84,689
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Expenditures for property and equipment	35,890	19,559	9,960
Purchase of short-term investments	109,098	144,630	162,957
Sales of short-term investments	85,796	110,778	108,287
Change in restricted cash and investments	499	2,251	(6,514)
Net cash used in investing activities	(59,691)	(55,662)	(58,116)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Bank Overdrafts	0
Dividends paid	25,715	21,216	19,481
Repurchase of common stock	10,622	5,863	49
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	488	436	412
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation financing activities	417	468	201
Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised	45	606	467
Net cash provided used in financing activities	(35,387)	(25,569)	(18,450)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(13,737)	(1,755)	8,123
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	48,630	50,385	42,262
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 34,893	$ 48,630	$ 50,385

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Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).