Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Preferred Stock [Member] Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member] Series D 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]	Series D Preferred Stock [Member]	Total
Preferred Stock at May. 01, 2010	$ 150,000		$ 502,000	$ 28,150,000	$ 130,767,000	$ 3,000
Common Stock
Stock options exercised			1,000	208,000
Additional Paid-In Capital
Stock-based compensation				446,000						446,000
Stock-based tax benefits				921,000
Retained Earnings
Net income					40,754,000					40,754,000
Common stock cash dividends					(106,314,000)					106,314,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Cash flow hedges						2,748,000				2,748,000
End of period at Apr. 30, 2011	150,000		503,000	29,725,000	65,207,000	2,751,000	(5,100,000)	(12,900,000)		80,336,000
Common Stock
Stock options exercised				115,000
Additional Paid-In Capital
Stock-based compensation				290,000						290,000
Stock-based tax benefits				295,000
Retained Earnings
Net income					43,993,000					43,993,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Cash flow hedges						(3,063,000)				(3,063,000)
Other						(330,000)				(330,000)
End of period at Apr. 28, 2012	150,000		503,000	30,425,000	109,200,000	(642,000)	(5,100,000)	(12,900,000)		121,636,000
Series D Preferred Stock
Preferred stock issued		400,000		19,304,000
Common Stock
Stock options exercised			1,000	238,000
Additional Paid-In Capital
Stock-based compensation				230,000						230,000
Stock-based tax benefits				201,000
Retained Earnings
Net income					46,920,000					46,920,000
Common stock cash dividends					(118,139,000)					118,139,000
Preferred stock cash dividends					(153,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Cash flow hedges						(295,000)				(295,000)
Other						(27,000)				(27,000)
End of period at Apr. 27, 2013		$ 400,000	$ 504,000	$ 50,398,000	$ 37,828,000	$ (964,000)	$ (5,100,000)	$ (12,900,000)		$ 70,316,000