Document and Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 30, 2011	Jan. 30, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	DUCKWALL ALCO STORES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000030302
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 30, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-29
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public Float		$ 3,842,745
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	3,842,745
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3