Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 43,614	$ 33,012
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	10,886	11,477
Impairment of long-lived assets	50	180
Share-based compensation	1,749	1,886
Tax benefit from equity issuance	96	257
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	(180)	(257)
Deferred income taxes	(12,557)	0
Provision for doubtful accounts	83	122
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustments	1,912	2,585
Loss (gain) on asset disposals	(29)	158
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables	(1,016)	(1,194)
Merchandise inventories	(11,845)	(14,891)
Other current assets	1,697	2,790
Other assets	263	(306)
Accounts payable	(1,542)	227
Accrued expenses and other	429	(756)
Deferred items and other non-current liabilities	877	1,354
Net cash provided by operating activities	34,487	36,644
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	45	68
Purchases of property and equipment	(13,665)	(9,987)
Net cash used in investing activities	(13,620)	(9,919)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on line of credit	28,174	45,780
Repayments on line of credit	(28,174)	(45,780)
Payment of Loan Costs	0	(980)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	692	926
Proceeds from sale of common stock pursuant to Associates Stock Buying Plan	326	308
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	180	257
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,198	511
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	20	(12)
NET INCREASE IN CASH	22,085	27,224
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	22,019	10,279
CASH AT END OF PERIOD	44,104	37,503
Other cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	514	315
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes	1,824	(2,397)
Non-cash investing activities
Property and equipment additions in accounts payable	$ 305	$ 407