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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 JTauSrfDuPF9uvHEYq/pgV3i5GQeG0c3CdEO68Tdjn3/FB2+VPjhjw5UnpG2MTkd
 dlLLXzHeqWiC+/W549y9DQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000916002-08-000025.txt : 20080423
<SEC-HEADER>0000916002-08-000025.hdr.sgml : 20080423
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080423163958
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000916002-08-000025
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080327
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080423
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080423

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Winsten Royce
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001414497

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20269
		FILM NUMBER:		08772169

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		732-974-8140

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1495 JUSMAR DRIVE
		CITY:			SEA GIRT
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08750

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DUCKWALL ALCO STORES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000030302
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-VARIETY STORES [5331]
		IRS NUMBER:				480201080
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			KS
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		401 COTTAGE STREET
		CITY:			ABILENE
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			67410-0129
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9132633350

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		DUCKWALL ALCO STORES INC
		STREET 2:		401 COTTAGE
		CITY:			ABILENE
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			67410

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	DUCKWALL STORES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19781020
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-03-27</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000030302</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DUCKWALL ALCO STORES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DUCK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001414497</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Winsten Royce</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1495 JUSMAR DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SEA GIRT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>08750</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock option (right to buy 03/27/2008)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.02</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-03-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-03-27</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option becomes exercisable in four equal installments on March 27, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Royce Winsten</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-04-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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