Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011	Jan. 02, 2010
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 29,662	$ 13,227	$ 12,376
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	14,314	14,926	17,030
Impairment of long-lived assets	50	180	13
Share-based compensation	2,394	2,506	2,410
Tax benefit (deficiency) from equity issuance	(204)	292	46
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	(347)	(283)	(52)
Deferred income taxes	(12,745)	(825)	(580)
Provision for doubtful accounts	54	80	375
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustments	1,154	1,966	2,580
Loss (gain) on asset disposals	(13)	192	160
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables	(220)	(119)	(117)
Merchandise inventories	7,059	(6,922)	23,389
Other current assets	2,946	3,066	(3,436)
Other assets	112	(582)	(1,037)
Accounts payable	(4,610)	(4,358)	6,077
Accrued expenses and other	(2,330)	(440)	1,113
Deferred items and other non-current liabilities	(47)	1,987	2,286
Net cash provided by operating activities	37,229	24,893	62,633
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	64	71	32
Purchases of property and equipment	(17,710)	(14,139)	(13,755)
Net cash used in investing activities	(17,646)	(14,068)	(13,723)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on line of credit	28,758	46,890	36,537
Repayments on line of credit	(28,758)	(46,890)	(83,537)
Payment of loan costs	0	(980)	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,339	1,017	294
Proceeds from sale of common stock pursuant to Associates Stock Buying Plan	669	618	712
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	347	283	52
Treasury shares acquired	0	0	(19)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	2,355	938	(45,961)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	9	(23)	(143)
NET INCREASE IN CASH	21,947	11,740	2,806
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	22,019	10,279	7,473
CASH AT END OF PERIOD	43,966	22,019	10,279
Other cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	645	475	810
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes	3,547	(2,325)	1,929
Non-cash investing activities
Property and equipment additions in accounts payable	$ 1,757	$ 1,465	$ 295