Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NGVC) 10-K 11 Dec 14 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 08, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Entity Registrant Name	'Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001547459	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-30	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)	'	22,487,600	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$392,305,227
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$5,113,000	$8,132,000
Restricted cash	0	500,000
Short term investments — available-for-sale securities	'	1,149,000
Accounts receivable, net	2,146,000	2,401,000
Merchandise inventory	58,381,000	45,472,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	641,000	1,097,000
Deferred income tax assets	832,000	1,114,000
Total current assets	67,113,000	59,865,000
Property and equipment, net	120,224,000	98,910,000
Other assets:	'	'
Deposits and other assets	712,000	203,000
Total goodwill and other intangibles, net	900,000	900,000
Deferred financing costs, net	36,000	25,000
Total other assets	1,648,000	1,128,000
Total assets	188,985,000	159,903,000
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	33,835,000	28,918,000
Accrued expenses	15,822,000	9,306,000
Capital and financing lease obligations, current portion	229,000	174,000
Total current liabilities	49,886,000	38,398,000
Long-term liabilities:	'	'
Capital and financing lease obligations, net of current portion	21,748,000	19,648,000
Deferred income tax liabilities	5,409,000	6,877,000
Deferred rent	5,842,000	4,731,000
Leasehold incentives	7,246,000	5,716,000
Total long-term liabilities	40,245,000	36,972,000
Total liabilities	90,131,000	75,370,000
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 50,000,000 shares, 22,485,488 and 22,441,253 issued and outstanding, respectively	22,000	22,000
Additional paid in capital	54,552,000	53,704,000
Retained earnings	44,280,000	30,807,000
Total stockholders’ equity	98,854,000	84,533,000
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$188,985,000	$159,903,000

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	22,485,488	22,441,253
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	22,485,488	22,441,253

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net sales	$520,674,000	$430,655,000	$336,385,000
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	369,172,000	304,922,000	237,328,000
Gross profit	151,502,000	125,733,000	99,057,000
Store expenses	108,657,000	89,935,000	72,157,000
Administrative expenses	14,823,000	13,479,000	12,733,000
Pre-opening and relocation expenses	3,774,000	3,231,000	2,173,000
Operating income	24,248,000	19,088,000	11,994,000
Other income (expense):	'	'	'
Dividends and interest income	2,000	9,000	6,000
Interest expense	-2,496,000	-2,166,000	-568,000
Total other expense, net	-2,494,000	-2,157,000	-562,000
Income before income taxes	21,754,000	16,931,000	11,432,000
Provision for income taxes	-8,281,000	-6,379,000	-3,955,000
Net income	13,473,000	10,552,000	7,477,000
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	-828,000
Net income attributable to Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.	$13,473,000	$10,552,000	$6,649,000
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.60	$0.47	$0.30
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.60	$0.47	$0.30
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	22,466,432	22,399,346	22,372,184
Diluted (in shares)	22,479,835	22,441,382	22,463,093

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net income	$13,473	$10,552	$7,477
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax benefit (expense)	'	4	-4
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	4	-4
Comprehensive income	13,473	10,556	7,473
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	-828
Comprehensive income attributable to Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.	$13,473	$10,556	$6,645

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$13,473	$10,552	$7,477
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	17,212	13,496	9,949
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	1	43	301
Share-based compensation (excluding cash portion of restricted stock award paid of $0, $0 and $335, respectively)	532	602	780
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	-399	-592	-620
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	-1,186	2,452	2,673
Non-cash interest expense	19	47	38
Interest accrued on investments and amortization of premium	9	27	-4
Other amortization	'	26	68
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	'	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	255	-546	283
Income tax receivable	612	-601	1,489
Merchandise inventory	-12,909	-7,928	-7,724
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-665	105	-170
Accounts payable	5,202	4,480	6,860
Accrued expenses	6,952	2,283	2,561
Deferred rent and leasehold incentives	2,641	1,271	1,241
Net cash provided by operating activities	31,749	25,717	25,202
Investing activities:	'	'	'
Acquisition of property and equipment	-36,512	-39,708	-25,259
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	'	5,005	608
Purchase of available-for-sale securities	0	-521	-1,751
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities	0	90	'
Proceeds from maturity of available-for-sale securities	1,140	1,010	'
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	500	-500	'
Payments received on notes receivable, related party	'	'	270
Payments received for premiums paid on split-dollar life insurance	'	'	660
Notes receivable, related party—insurance premiums	'	'	-4
Increase in split-dollar life insurance premiums	'	'	-82
Net cash used in investing activities	-34,872	-34,624	-25,558
Financing activities:	'	'	'
Borrowings under credit facility	46,440	81	'
Repayments under credit facility	-46,440	-81	-27,236
Repayments under notes payable, related party	'	-282	-924
Capital and financing lease obligations payments	-182	-121	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	'	'	-810
Purchase of remaining 45% noncontrolling interest in BVC	'	'	-10,051
Proceeds from common stock issued in initial public offering, net of commissions	'	'	58,135
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	399	592	620
Equity issuance costs and BVC transaction costs	'	-268	-2,460
Payments on withholding tax for restricted stock unit vesting	-83	-155	'
Loan fees paid	-30	-18	-5
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	104	-252	17,269
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-3,019	-9,159	16,913
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	8,132	17,291	378
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	5,113	8,132	17,291
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	'	'	'
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest of $0, $0 and $25, respectively	16	7	524
Cash paid for interest on capital and financing lease obligations, net of capitalized interest of $364, $0 and $0, respectively	2,423	2,036	39
Income taxes paid	3,762	3,916	519
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'	'
Acquisition of property and equipment not yet paid	3,260	3,545	5,007
Property acquired through capital and financing lease obligations	2,300	14,372	5,526
Equity issuance costs not yet paid	'	'	256
Tax benefit associated with acquisition of noncontrolling interest in BVC	'	'	$3,592

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas1

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parentheticals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash portion of restricted stock award paid	$0	$0	$335
Noncontrolling interest in BVC	'	'	45.00%
Capitalized interest	0	0	25
Capitalized interest	$364	$0	$0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity (USD $)	Total	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Parent [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Common Class A [Member]	Common Class B [Member]
								Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]
Balances September 30, 2011 at Sep. 30, 2011	$15,927,000	'	'	'	$1,527,000	$14,400,000	$13,606,000	$1,000	$793,000
Balances September 30, 2011 (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2011	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,000	625,112
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	-810,000	'	'	'	-810,000	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	828,000	'	'	'	828,000	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax benefit (expense)	-4,000	-4,000	'	'	'	-4,000	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.	6,649,000	'	'	'	'	6,649,000	6,649,000	'	'
Exchange of Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc. stock for common stock of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (in shares)	'	'	'	17,378,625	'	'	'	-1,000	-625,112
Exchange of Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc. stock for common stock of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.	'	'	777,000	17,000	'	'	'	-1,000	-793,000
Purchase of noncontrollinginterest (in shares)	'	'	'	670,056	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase of noncontrollinginterest	-10,051,000	'	-8,507,000	1,000	-1,545,000	-8,506,000	'	'	'
Tax benefit of purchase of noncontrolling interest	3,592,000	'	3,592,000	'	'	3,592,000	'	'	'
Shares issued upon consummation of initial public offering, net of $4,376 underwriter discounts and commissions (in shares)	'	'	'	4,167,367	'	'	'	'	'
Shares issued upon consummation of initial public offering, net of $4,376 underwriter discounts and commissions	58,135,000	'	58,131,000	4,000	'	58,135,000	'	'	'
Issuance costs	-2,717,000	'	-2,717,000	'	'	-2,717,000	'	'	'
Share-based compensation (in shares)	'	'	'	156,136	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	780,000	'	780,000	'	'	780,000	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit of share-based compensation	620,000	'	620,000	'	'	620,000	'	'	'
Balances September 30, 2012 at Sep. 30, 2012	72,949,000	-4,000	52,676,000	22,000	'	72,949,000	20,255,000	'	'
Balances September 30, 2012 (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2012	'	'	'	22,372,184	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax benefit (expense)	4,000	4,000	'	'	'	4,000	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.	10,552,000	'	'	'	'	10,552,000	10,552,000	'	'
Issuance costs	-12,000	'	-12,000	'	'	-12,000	'	'	'
Share-based compensation (in shares)	'	'	'	69,069	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	448,000	'	448,000	'	'	448,000	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit of share-based compensation	592,000	'	592,000	'	'	592,000	'	'	'
Balances September 30, 2012 at Sep. 30, 2013	84,533,000	'	53,704,000	22,000	'	84,533,000	30,807,000	'	'
Balances September 30, 2012 (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013	22,441,253	'	'	22,441,253	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.	13,473,000	'	'	'	'	13,473,000	13,473,000	'	'
Share-based compensation (in shares)	'	'	'	44,235	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	449,000	'	449,000	'	'	449,000	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit of share-based compensation	399,000	'	399,000	'	'	399,000	'	'	'
Balances September 30, 2012 at Sep. 30, 2014	$98,854,000	'	$54,552,000	$22,000	'	$98,854,000	$44,280,000	'	'
Balances September 30, 2012 (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	22,485,488	'	'	22,485,488	'	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha1

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity (Parentheticals) (Parent [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012
Parent [Member]	'
Underwriter discounts and commissions	$4,376

Note_1_Organization

Note 1 - Organization	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Nature of Operations [Text Block]	'
	1. Organization
	Nature of Business
	Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (Natural Grocers or the holding company) and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) operate retail stores that specialize in natural and organic groceries and dietary supplements. The Company operates its retail stores under its trademark
	Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
	®
	with 87 stores as of September 30, 2014, including 32 stores in Colorado, 13 in Texas, eight in Oregon, six in Kansas, five in New Mexico, four each in Montana and Oklahoma, three each in Arizona, Idaho and Nebraska, two each in Utah and Wyoming, and one each in Missouri and Washington. The Company also has a bulk food repackaging facility and distribution center in Colorado. The Company had 72 and 59 stores as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Note_2_Basis_of_Presentation_a

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Consolidation
	The holding company was incorporated in Delaware on April 9, 2012. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include all the accounts of the holding company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc. (the operating company), Vitamin Cottage Two Ltd. Liability Company (VC2), Natural Systems, LLC and Boulder Vitamin Cottage Group, LLC (BVC). The operating company formed the holding company in order to facilitate the purchase of the remaining noncontrolling interest in BVC and consummation of the Company’s initial public offering (IPO) during fiscal year 2012. Prior to the Company’s IPO on July 25, 2012, the Company had a majority 55% ownership of BVC. Prior to the settlement of the IPO, the Company issued 670,056 shares of stock in the holding company and paid approximately $10.1 million in cash to purchase the remaining 45% noncontrolling interest in BVC. Prior to the merger, BVC owned five
	Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
	retail stores, which were managed by the operating company. Effective October 31, 2012, BVC merged with and into the operating company and ceased to exist. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Initial Public Offering
	The holding company was incorporated in anticipation of the Company’s IPO. Prior to the IPO, the holding company was a wholly owned subsidiary of the operating company. In connection with the Company’s IPO during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012, the Company completed a reorganization in which a) the existing shareholders of the operating company exchanged capital stock of the operating company for shares of common stock of the holding company and b) the operating company purchased the remaining 45% noncontrolling interest in BVC for a combination of cash and common stock of the holding company, as described above. The holding company’s only material asset is its direct 100% ownership in the operating company. On July 25, 2012, the Company issued 4,167,367 shares to the public in the IPO. Simultaneously with the IPO, certain selling shareholders sold 4,046,918 shares to the public, resulting in no additional proceeds to the Company. The total number of shares issued in the IPO was 8,214,285.
	Based on the public offering price of $15.00, the Company received gross proceeds from the issuance of 4,167,367 shares issued to the public in the IPO of approximately $62.5 million, and paid underwriting costs of 7%, or approximately $4.4 million, for net proceeds of approximately $58.1 million. The Company also incurred issuance costs of approximately $2.7 million.
	The Company accounted for the acquisition of the BVC noncontrolling interest, as described above, as an equity transaction. Since the transaction was treated as an equity transaction, the transaction costs were also reflected as a reduction of equity and a financing activity in the statement of cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2012. The Company recorded the issuance of the 670,056 shares in common stock at par value, reduced cash and cash equivalents by approximately $10.1 million, eliminated approximately $1.5 million in noncontrolling interest on the balance sheet as of September 30, 2012, and recorded the remaining amount as additional paid in capital. As a result of the acquisition of the remaining noncontrolling interest, the Company was entitled to tax deductions to the extent of any step up in tax basis on the assets of BVC, limited to the cash consideration paid. Accordingly, the tax basis in excess of book basis at the date of purchase resulted in deferred tax assets of approximately $3.6 million as of September 30, 2012.
	As of September 30, 2012, the Company used approximately $39.2 million of the net proceeds from the IPO to pay down all outstanding amounts under its then-existing credit facility of approximately $26.4 million, pay the cash portion of the BVC purchase of approximately $10.1 million, pay expenses associated with the IPO of approximately $2.4 million, and pay the cash portion of restricted stock awards of approximately $0.3 million. For the year ended September 30, 2013, the Company used approximately $0.3 million of the proceeds to pay the remaining issuance costs associated with the IPO, and the remaining proceeds from the IPO of approximately $18.6 million were used to fund working capital and for general corporate purposes.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management reviews its estimates on an ongoing basis, including those related to allowances for self-insurance reserves, valuation of inventories, useful lives of property and equipment for depreciation and amortization, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets and liabilities and litigation based on currently available information. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates and actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Segment Information
	The Company has one reporting segment, natural and organic retail stores.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include currency on hand, demand deposits with banks, money market funds and credit and debit card transactions which typically settle within three business days. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a remaining maturity of 90 days or less when acquired to be cash equivalents.
	Restricted
	Cash
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company held restricted cash of approximately $0.5 million which represented cash that was pledged as collateral for a standby letter of credit related to the Company’s workers’ compensation insurance. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had released the restricted cash balance which existed as of September 30, 2013, and has no restricted cash balance outstanding.
	Investments
	Available-for-sale investments are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale investments are excluded from earnings and are reported as a component of other comprehensive income until realized. A decline in the fair value of any available-for-sale security below cost that is deemed to be other-than-temporary for a period greater than two fiscal quarters results in a reduction of the fair value. Declines in fair value deemed to be other-than-temporary are charged against net earnings. Investments that have an original maturity date of less than one year are classified as short-term assets, and investments that have an original maturity date greater than one year are classified as long-term assets.
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable consists primarily of receivables from vendors for certain promotional programs, newsletter advertising and other miscellaneous receivables and are presented net of any allowances for doubtful accounts. Vendor receivable balances are generally presented on a gross basis separate from any related payable due. Allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated based on historical experience and application of the specific identification method and totaled less than $0.1 million at September 30, 2014. There was no allowance for doubtful accounts as of September 30, 2013.
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist primarily of investments in cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company’s cash and cash equivalent account balances, which are held in major financial institutions, exceeded the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s federally insured limits by approximately $2.5 million as of September 30, 2014.
	Vendor Concentration
	For the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, purchases from the Company’s largest vendor and one of its subsidiaries represented approximately 56%, 55% and 53% of all product purchases made during the respective periods. However, the Company believes that, if necessary, alternate vendors could supply similar products in adequate quantities to avoid material disruption to operations.
	Merchandise Inventory
	Merchandise inventory consists of goods held for sale. The cost of inventory includes certain costs associated with the preparation of inventory for sale, including inventory overhead costs. Merchandise inventory is carried at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the weighted average cost method.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment is stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of the related assets.
			Useful lives
			(in
			years)
	Land improvements		5	–	15
	Buildings			40
	Leasehold and building improvements		1	–	25
	Capitalized real estate leases for build-to-suit stores			40
	Capitalized real estate leases			15
	Fixtures and equipment		5	–	7
	Computer hardware and software		3	–	5
	For land improvements and leasehold and building improvements, depreciation is recorded over the shorter of the assets’ useful lives or the lease terms. Maintenance, repairs and renewals that neither add to the value of the property nor appreciably prolong its life are charged to expense as incurred. Gains and losses on disposition of property and equipment are included in store expenses in the year of disposition, and primarily relate to store relocations.
	The Company capitalizes interest, if applicable, as part of the historical costs of buildings and leasehold and building improvements. The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred with developing or obtaining internal-use software. Capitalized software costs are included in property and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets and are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the software. Software costs that do not meet capitalization criteria are expensed as incurred.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company records its financial assets and liabilities at fair value in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value in authoritative guidance. The framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and the Company’s own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The three levels are defined as follows:
	Level 1—	Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
	Level 2—	Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and
	Level 3—	Inputs are unobservable and are considered significant to the fair value measurement.
	Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred as of the date of the event or transfer.
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets primarily consist of goodwill, trademarks, favorable operating leases and covenants-not-to-compete. Goodwill and the
	Vitamin Cottage®
	trademark have indefinite lives and are not amortized; rather, they are tested for impairment at least annually. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company evaluates the reasonableness of the useful lives of these intangibles at least annually.
	The Company’s annual impairment testing of goodwill is performed as of September 30. In performing the Company’s analysis of goodwill, the Company first evaluates qualitative factors, including relevant events and circumstances, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the two-step impairment test is not necessary. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the Company performs the two-step impairment test. Under the first step, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value (including goodwill). If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an indication of goodwill impairment exists for the reporting unit and the Company must perform step two of the impairment test (measurement). Under step two, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. Thus far, the Company has recorded no impairment charges related to goodwill.
	Impairment of
	Finite-Lived
	Intangible and Long-Lived Assets
	Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company aggregates long-lived assets at the store level, which the Company considers to be the lowest level in the organization for which independent identifiable cash flows are available. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group to be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that store to its carrying value. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. The Company considers factors such as historic and forecasted operating results, trends and future prospects, current market value, significant industry trends and other economic and regulatory factors in performing these analyses. Thus far, the Company has recorded no impairment charges related to finite-lived intangible or long-lived assets.
	Deferred Financing Costs
	Certain costs incurred with borrowings or establishment of credit facilities are deferred. These costs are amortized over the life of the borrowing or the life of the credit facility using the straight-line methods.
	Leases
	The Company leases retail stores, a bulk food repackaging facility and distribution center and administrative offices under long-term operating or capital and financing leases. These leases include scheduled increases in minimum rents and renewal provisions at the option of the Company. The lease term for accounting purposes commences with the date the Company takes possession of the space and ends on the later of the primary lease term or the expiration of any renewal periods that are deemed to be reasonably assured at the inception of the lease.
	Operating leases
The Company accounts for operating leases with rent holidays and escalating payment terms by recognizing the associated expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, and the difference between the average rental amount charged to expense and amounts payable under the leases are included in deferred rent. For certain leases, the Company has also received cash from landlords to compensate for costs incurred by the Company in making the store locations ready for operation (leasehold incentives or tenant allowances). Leasehold incentives received from a landlord are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis as a reduction to rent expense over the lease term.
Capital financing leases
From time to time, the Company enters into leases with developers for build-to-suit store locations. Upon lease execution, the Company analyzes its involvement during the construction period.
As a result of defined forms of lessee involvement, the Company could be deemed the “owner” for accounting purposes during the construction period, and may be required to capitalize the project costs on its balance sheet. If the project costs are capitalized, the Company performs a sale-leaseback analysis upon completion of the construction
to determine if the Company can remove the assets from its balance sheet. If the asset cannot be removed from the balance sheet, the fair market value of the building remains recognized as an asset on the balance sheet, along with a corresponding capital lease financing obligation equal to the fair market value of the building less any amount the Company contributed towards construction. The Company does not record rent expense for the rental payments under capital financing leases, but rather payments under the capital financing lease obligations are recognized as a reduction of the capital lease financing obligation and as interest expense. The capital financing lease asset is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset.
Capital leases
Occasionally, the Company enters into leases that are deemed to be capital leases. For these leases, the Company capitalizes the lower of the present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased asset at inception and records a corresponding capital lease obligation. The Company does not record rent expense for the rental payments under capital leases, but rather payments under the capital lease obligations are recognized as a reduction of the capital lease obligation and as interest expense. The capital lease asset is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the term of the related lease.
Self-Insurance
The Company is self-insured for certain losses relating to employee medical and dental benefits and workers compensation. Stop-loss coverage has been purchased to limit exposure to any significant level of claims. Self-insured losses are accrued based upon the Company’s estimates of the aggregate claims incurred but not reported using historical experience. The estimated accruals for these liabilities could be significantly affected if future occurrences and claims differ from historical trends.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized at the point of sale, net of in-house coupons, discounts and returns. Sales taxes are not included in sales. The Company charges sales tax on all taxable customer purchases and remits these taxes monthly to the appropriate taxing jurisdiction. The Company records a deferred revenue liability within accrued expenses when it sells the Company’s gift cards or issues gift cards for award or promotional purposes, and records a sale when a customer redeems the gift card. Generally, the gift cards do not expire. The Company currently does not record breakage for unused portions of gift cards.
Cost of Goods Sold and Occupancy Costs
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs includes the cost of inventory sold during the period net of discounts and allowances, as well as, distribution, shipping and handling costs, store occupancy costs and costs of the bulk food repackaging facility and distribution center. The amount shown is net of various rebates from third-party vendors in the form of quantity discounts and payments. Vendor consideration associated with product discounts is recorded as either a reduction of merchandise inventory or cost of goods sold. Store occupancy costs include rent, common area maintenance and real estate taxes. Store occupancy costs do not include any rent amounts for the store leases classified as capital and financing lease obligations.
Store Expenses
Store expenses consist of store-level expenses such as salaries, benefits and share-based compensation, supplies, utilities, depreciation, gain or loss on disposal of assets and other related costs associated with operations support. Store expenses also include purchasing support services and advertising and marketing costs.
Administrative Expenses
Administrative expenses consist of salaries, benefits and share-based compensation, occupancy costs, depreciation, office supplies, hardware and software expenses, professional services expenses and other general and administrative expenses.
Pre-Opening and Relocation Expenses
Costs associated with the opening of new stores or relocating existing stores are expensed as incurred.
Advertising and Marketing
Advertising and marketing costs are expensed as incurred and are included in store expenses and pre-opening and relocation expenses in the consolidated statements of income. Total advertising and marketing expenses for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $7.8 million, $6.2 million and $5.1 million, respectively, net of vendor reimbursements received for newsletter advertising. Advertising expense reimbursements received from vendors totaled approximately $1.9 million, $1.5 million and $1.3 million for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
S
hare
-
B
ased
C
ompensation
The Company adopted an Omnibus Incentive Plan in connection with the IPO on July 25, 2012. Restricted common stock units are granted at the market price of the stock on the day of grant and expensed over the applicable vesting period.
The excess tax benefits for recognized compensation costs are reported as a credit to additional-paid-in capital and as operating cash outflows when such excess tax benefits are realized by a reduction to current taxes payable.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. This method requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences that currently exist between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in the respective jurisdictions in which the Company operates.
The Company considers the need to establish valuation allowances to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amounts the Company believes are more likely than not to be recovered.
The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. Although the Company believes that its estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates. In addition, the Company is subject to periodic audits and examinations by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other state and local taxing authorities.
Any interest or penalties incurred related to income taxes are expensed as incurred and treated as permanent differences for tax purposes.
Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements
Prior to the Company’s IPO on July 25, 2012, the Company had a majority 55% ownership of BVC, which owned five
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
retail stores managed by the operating company. Immediately prior to the IPO, the Company issued common stock and paid cash to purchase the remaining 45% noncontrolling interest in BVC. Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s consolidated financial statements relates to the noncontrolling 45% ownership in BVC prior to the purchase. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest and net income attributable to the Company are reported separately in the consolidated statements of income and statements of comprehensive income.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In
May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU No 2014-09 provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled for the transfer of those goods or services. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning on October 1, 2017 and early application is not permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.” ASU 2014-15 defines management’s responsibility to perform interim and annual assessments on whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued and to provide related footnote disclosures, if required. The guidance will be effective for the Company beginning with its fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, and early application is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

Note_3_Earnings_Per_Share

Note 3 - Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	3. Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income attributable to Natural Grocers’ stockholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if the Company’s granted but unvested restricted stock units were to vest, resulting in the issuance of common stock that would then share in the earnings of the Company. Presented below is basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, dollars in thousands, except per share data:
		Year ended September 30,
		201		201		201
		4		3		2
	Net income attributable to Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.	$	13,473		10,552		6,649
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		22,466,432		22,399,346		22,372,184
	Effect of dilutive securities		13,403		42,036		90,909
	Weighted average common shares outstanding including effect of dilutive securities		22,479,835		22,441,382		22,463,093
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.6		0.47		0.3
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.6		0.47		0.3
	There were 3,558 and 50,320 non-vested restricted stock units (RSUs) for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 excluded from the calculation as they are antidilutive. There were no antidilutive non-vested RSUs for the year ended September 30, 2012.
	The Company did not declare or pay any dividends in the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had 50,000,000 shares of common stock authorized and 22,485,488 shares issued and outstanding, as well as 10,000,000 shares of preferred common stock authorized with none issued and outstanding.

Note_4_Investments

Note 4 - Investments	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Summary of Investment Holdings, Schedule of Investments [Text Block]	'
	4. Investments
	The Company may hold money market fund investments that are classified as cash and cash equivalents. The Company held no money market fund investments at September 30, 2014 and held approximately $0.5 million as of September 30, 2013.
	The Company may also hold available-for-sale securities, generally consisting of certificates of deposit, corporate bonds and municipal bonds. The Company had no available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2014 and held approximately $1.1 million, classified as short-term, as of September 30, 2013. At September 30, 2013, the average maturities of the Company’s short-term investments was approximately five months.
	The Company established an investment policy in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012, with the objective to achieve maximum yields on invested funds while protecting principal, as well as ensuring that funds will be available to meet operating cash flow requirements. The investment policy establishes the type of investments that are acceptable, requires that each investment have a certain high level of rating as established by Standard and Poor’s or Moody’s and limits the amount of any one investment that may be held based on the market value of the total funds at the time of investment purchase. As of September 30, 2013, the Company’s investments in available-for-sale securities, which matured in the year ended September 30, 2014, were in compliance with the Company’s investment policy.
	During the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded insignificant amounts of interest income and expense relating to amortized premiums paid.
	As of September 30, 2013, available-for-sale securities totaling approximately $1.1 million were in net unrealized gain positions with an insignificant amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income for temporary increases in fair value, consisting of five securities in gain positions and four securities in loss positions due to the amortization of premiums paid to acquire the securities. As of September 30, 2012, available-for-sale securities totaling approximately $1.8 million were in net unrealized loss positions with an insignificant amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income for temporary declines in fair value, consisting of three securities in gain positions and nine securities in loss positions due to the amortization of premiums paid to acquire the securities. There was no other-than-temporary impairment on available-for-sale securities during the years ended September 30, 2014 or 2013.

Note_5_Fair_Value_Measurements

Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	5. Fair Value Measurements
	The Company records its financial assets and liabilities at fair value in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value. The framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and market participant’s assumptions (unobservable inputs). Non-financial assets, such as goodwill and long-lived assets, are accounted for at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These items are tested for impairment on the occurrence of a triggering event or in the case of goodwill, at least on an annual basis.
	The carrying amounts of financial instruments not included in the table below, including cash, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accrued expenses
	, approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.
	As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company had the following financial assets and liabilities that were subject to fair value measurements according to the fair value hierarchy, dollars in thousands:
				As of September 30,
				201				201
				4				3
		Input		Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
		Level		Amount				Amount
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market fund		1	$	─		─		501		501
	Investments — available-for-sale securities:
	Certificates of deposit		2		─		─		585		585
	Corporate bonds		2		─		─		376		376
	Municipal bonds		2		─		─		188		188
	The money market fund and available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value. For debt securities for which quoted market prices are not available, the fair value is determined using an income approach valuation technique that considers, among other things, rates currently observed in publicly traded debt markets for debt of similar terms to companies with comparable credit risk. During the year ended September 30, 2014, the Company made no purchases of available-for-sale securities. During the year ended September 30, 2013, the Company purchased approximately $0.5 million in available-for-sale securities. During the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, available-for-sale securities of approximately $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, matured. During the year ended September 30, 2014, the Company had no proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities. During the year ended September 30, 2013, available-for-sale securities of approximately $0.1 million, were sold. During the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, there were no transfers between levels, and the Company had no level 3 instruments. See Note 4 for additional disclosures.

Note_6_Property_and_Equipment

Note 6 - Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	6. Property and Equipment
	The Company had the following property and equipment balances as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, dollars in thousands:
		Useful lives						As of September 30,
		(in years)						201				201
								4				3
	Construction in process			n/a				$	6,867				5,421
	Capitalized real estate leases for build-to-suit stores, including unamortized land of $617 and $600, respectively			40					17,107				15,774
	Capitalized real estate leases			15					4,866				4,866
	Land			n/a					192				─
	Buildings			40					3,985				─
	Land improvements		5	-	15				1,000				1,000
	Leasehold and building improvements		1	-	25				74,691				59,058
	Fixtures and equipment		5	-	7				69,894				56,459
	Computer hardware and software		3	-	5				10,740				8,252
									189,342				150,830
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization								(69,118	)			(51,920	)
	Property and equipment, net							$	120,224				98,910
	Capitalized real estate leases include the assets for build-to-suit stores and buildings under capital leases as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively (see Note 2 and Note 11).
	As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, construction in process includes approximately $2.3 million and approximately $1.3 million, respectively, related to construction costs for build-to-suit leases in process for which the Company was deemed the owner during the construction period.
	Costs capitalized for computer software development for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were approximately $0.1 million in each period, primarily due to capitalization of internal staff compensation. Total costs capitalized for qualifying construction projects on leasehold and building improvements and fixtures and equipment includes approximately $0.5 million and $0.4 million, for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to internal staff compensation. Interest costs of approximately $0.4 million were capitalized for the year ended September 30, 2014; no amounts of interest were capitalized for the year ended September 30, 2013 and insignificant amounts of interest costs were capitalized for the year ended September 30, 2012. Depreciation expense related to capitalized internal staff compensation was approximately $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.5 million for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is summarized as follows, dollars in thousands:
		Year ended September 30,
		201				201				201
		4				3				2
	Depreciation and amortization expense included in cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	$	770				709				436
	Depreciation and amortization expense included in store expenses		15,861				12,365				8,710
	Depreciation and amortization expense included in administrative expenses		581				422				803
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	17,212				13,496				9,949

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and other intangible assets as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, are summarized as follows, dollars in thousands:
		Useful lives		As of September 30,
		(in years)		201			201
				4			3
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Covenants-not-to-compete		5	$	293			293
	Favorable operating lease		5		339			339
	Other intangibles		0.5		22			22
	Amortized intangible assets				654			654
	Less accumulated amortization				(654	)		(654	)
	Amortized intangible assets, net				—			—
	Trademark		Indefinite		389			389
	Total other intangibles, net				389			389
	Goodwill		Indefinite		511			511
	Total goodwill and other intangibles, net			$	900			900
	Amortization expense was $0, less than $0.1 million and approximately $0.1 million for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Note_8_Accrued_Expenses

Note 8 - Accrued Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	8
	Accrued Expenses
	The composition of accrued expenses as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, is summarized as follows, dollars in thousands:
		As of September 30,
		2014		201
				3
	Payroll and employee-related expenses	$	5,886		5,247
	Accrued income taxes payable		4,868		95
	Accrued property, sales and use tax payable		3,409		2,591
	Deferred revenue related to gift card sales		725		625
	Other		934		748
	Total accrued expenses	$	15,822		9,306

Note_9_Deferred_Financing_Cost

Note 9 - Deferred Financing Costs	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	9. Deferred Financing Costs
	The Company has capitalized costs incurred in securing its Credit Facility (see Note 10). Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization were less than $0.1 million as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. Accumulated amortization was approximately $0.9 million as of both September 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Total amortization expense for deferred financing costs was less than $0.1 million for each of the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Note_10_LongTerm_Debt

Note 10 - Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Debt and Capital Leases Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	10. Long-Term Debt
	Credit Facility
	The Company has a Credit Facility which consists of a revolving credit facility and, previously, a term loan that was fully repaid in fiscal year 2012 (see further discussion of the Credit Facility and the term loan below). The operating company is the borrower under the Credit Facility and its obligations under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by the holding company.
	The Credit Facility requires compliance with certain operational and financial covenants including a leverage ratio and fixed charge coverage ratio. The Credit Facility also contains certain other limitations on the Company’s ability to incur additional debt, guarantee other obligations, grant liens on assets and make investments or acquisitions as defined in the Credit Facility. Additionally, the Credit Facility prohibits the payment of cash dividends to the holding company from the operating company, without the administrative agent’s consent except when no default or event of default exists.
	If no default or event of default exists dividends are allowed for various audit, accounting, tax, securities, indemnification, reimbursement, insurance and other reasonable expenses in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not expect such restrictions to impact its ability to meet cash obligations. The terms and conditions of the Credit Facility and associated documents are customary and include, among other things, guarantees, pledges and subordinations. At September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company was in compliance with the debt covenants.
	On October 31, 2012, the Company amended its then-existing credit agreement to decrease the borrowing limit from $21.0 million to $15.0 million and to lower the unused commitment fee to 0.20% from 0.375%. The reduction in the unused commitment fee was retroactive to August 1, 2012. The credit facility was scheduled to mature on June 30, 2014.
	On December 12, 2013, the Company amended and restated its then-existing $15.0 million credit agreement, as a result of which, among other things, (i) the maturity date of the Company’s Credit Facility was extended by three years to January 31, 2017, (ii) the Company has the right to request the issuance of letters of credit under the Credit Facility of up to $3.0 million, (iii) the Company is allowed to increase the amount available under the revolving credit facility, by an additional amount that may not exceed $10.0 million, by obtaining an additional commitment or commitments, (iv) a requirement for a consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to revenue ratio was eliminated and (v) the unused commitment fee was changed from 0.20% to amounts ranging from 0.15% to 0.35% based on certain conditions. The Company may borrow, prepay and re-borrow amounts under the Credit Facility at any time prior to the maturity date.
	The Company had no amounts outstanding on its Credit Facility as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. During the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company made and repaid draws on the Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had an undrawn, issued and outstanding letter of credit of $0.7 million which was reserved against the amount available for borrowing under the terms of the Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, there was $14.3 million and $15.0 million, respectively, available for borrowing under the Credit Facility.
	For floating rate borrowings under the Credit Facility, interest is determined by the lender’s administrative agent and is stated at the prime rate less the lender spread, subject to the Company meeting certain financial measures. For fixed rate borrowings under the Credit Facility, interest is determined by quoted LIBOR rates for the interest period plus the lender spread, subject to the Company meeting certain financial measures. The average annual interest rate for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was 1.85%, 3.30% and 2.54%, respectively.
	The Company had no amounts outstanding under the term loan as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. Proceeds from the Company’s IPO on July 25, 2012 were used to prepay the then outstanding amount under the term loan of $15.8 million. The Company cannot borrow additional amounts on the term loan and as such had no activity under the term loan in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. Interest was determined by the lender’s administrative agent and was stated at the alternate base rate for the interest period plus the applicable lender spread. The average interest rate for the year ended September 30, 2012 was approximately 2.02%.
	Capital
	and Financing Lease
	Obligation
	s
	The Company had ten and nine leases as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, that are included in capital and financing lease obligations (see Notes 2 and 11). The Company does not record rent expense for these capitalized real estate leases, but rather rental payments under the capital leases are recognized as a reduction of the capital and financing lease obligation and as interest expense (see Note 11).
	Interest
	The Company incurred gross interest expense of approximately $2.9 million, $2.2 million and $0.6 million in the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Interest expense for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 relates primarily to interest on capital and financing lease obligations. Interest expense for the year ended September 30, 2012 relates primarily to interest for activity under the Credit Facility, including amortization of deferred financing costs. The Company capitalized interest of approximately $0.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2014, had no amounts of interest capitalized for the year ended September 30, 2013 and had insignificant amounts of interest capitalized for the year ended September 30, 2012
	.

Note_11_Lease_Commitments

Note 11 - Lease Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	1
	1
	. Lease Commitments
	Operating Leases
	The Company leases retail stores, a bulk food repackaging facility and distribution center and administrative offices under long-term operating leases through 2062. These leases include scheduled increases in minimum rents and renewal provisions at the option of the Company. Deferred rent expense as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $5.8 million and $4.7 million, respectively. Tenant improvement allowances received from landlords (leasehold incentives) are recorded as liabilities and recognized evenly as a reduction to rent expense over the lease term. Leasehold incentives at September 30, 2014 and 2013 were approximately $7.2 million and $5.7 million, respectively.
	The Company has seven leases with Chalet Properties, LLC (Chalet), one lease with the Isely Family Land Trust LLC and one lease with 3801 East Second Avenue LLC, all related parties (see Note 13). The terms and rental rates of these related party leases are similar to leases with nonrelated parties and are at market rental rates. The leases began at various times with the earliest occurring in November 1999, continue for various terms through February 2027 and include various options to renew. Present annual lease payments range from less than $0.1 million to approximately $0.3 million per lease.
	The future minimum annual commitments under the terms of the Company’s operating leases having initial or remaining terms in excess of one year as of September 30, 2014 are as follows, dollars in thousands:
		Third			Related			Total Operating
		parties			parties			Leases
	2015	$	19,167			1,654			20,821
	2016		20,446			1,633			22,079
	2017		20,003			1,635			21,638
	2018		19,907			1,635			21,542
	2019		18,646			1,635			20,281
	Thereafter		152,842			10,482			163,324
		$	251,011			18,674			269,685
	Total rent expense, including common area expenses and warehouse rent, for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 totaled approximately $20.5 million, $14.8 million and $12.1 million, respectively, which is included in cost of goods sold and occupancy costs and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. In addition, approximately $1.0 million, $0.6 million and $0.5 million is included in pre-opening and relocation expense associated with rent expense for stores prior to their opening date for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	For the year ended September 30, 2013, the Company completed one sale-leaseback transaction with an unrelated party for proceeds of approximately $5.0 million, with a gain on the sale of approximately $0.2 million which has been deferred and will be amortized over the initial lease term. Concurrent with the sale, the Company entered into an agreement to lease the property back from the purchaser over an initial lease term of 15 years. The Company classified the lease as operating and considers the transaction as a normal leaseback with no other continuing involvement.
	Capital and Financing Lease Obligations
	Capital and financing lease obligations as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, are as follows, dollars in thousands:
		As of September 30,
		2014			2013
	Capital lease finance obligations, due in monthly installments through fiscal year 2028	$	14,989			13,746
	Capital lease obligations due in monthly installments through fiscal year 2028		4,672			4,792
	Capital lease finance obligation for assets under construction, due in monthly installments through fiscal year 2024 and 2028, respectively		2,316			1,284
	Total capital and financing lease obligations		21,977			19,822
	Less current portion		(229	)		(174	)
	Total capital and financing lease obligations, net of current portion	$	21,748			19,648
	Capital lease finance obligations
	From time to time, the Company enters into leases with developers for build-to-suit store locations. Upon lease execution, the Company analyzes its involvement during the construction period
	.
	As a result of defined forms of lessee involvement, the Company could be deemed the “owner” for accounting purposes during the construction period, and would be required to capitalize construction costs on its balance sheet. If the project costs were capitalized, the Company performs a sale-leaseback analysis upon completion of the project to determine if the Company can remove the asset from its balance sheet. If the asset cannot be removed from the balance sheet, the fair market value of the building remains on the balance sheet along with a corresponding capital lease finance obligation equal to the fair market value of the building less any amounts the Company
	contributed toward construction. The Company had capital lease finance obligations totaling approximately $15.0 million and $13.7 million as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The leases that created the obligations expire or become subject to renewal clauses at various dates through fiscal year 2028. The Company does not record rent expense for capital lease finance obligations, but rather rent payments per the leases are recognized as a reduction of the related capital lease finance obligation and as interest expense. Depreciation expense for the related capitalized lease assets is included in store expenses in the consolidated statements of income. At the end of the lease term, the offsetting balances of the capitalized assets, net of accumulated depreciation, and capital lease finance obligation will be de-recognized.
	Capital lease obligations
	The Company had capital lease obligations totaling approximately $4.7 million and $4.8 million as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Certain of the Company’s leases for store locations are considered capital leases, and as such, the Company has capitalized the present value of the minimum lease payments under the leases for the stores and recorded related capital lease obligations. The leases that created the obligation expire or become subject to renewal clauses at various dates through fiscal year 2028. The Company does not record rent expense for capital lease obligations, but rather rent payments per the leases are recognized as a reduction of the related capital lease obligation and as interest expense. Depreciation expense for the related capitalized lease assets is included in store expenses in the consolidated statements of income.
	Capital lease finance obligation for assets under construction
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had recorded approximately $2.3 million for construction in process and approximately $2.3 million in capital lease finance obligations for assets under construction. Once construction is completed, the Company expects to be deemed to have continuing involvement and to capitalize any additional costs of construction. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had recorded approximately $1.3 million for construction in process and approximately $1.3 million in capital lease finance obligations for assets under construction. Once construction was completed, the Company was deemed to have continuing involvement and capitalized all additional costs of construction. The lease that created the obligation as of September 30, 2014 expires or becomes subject to renewal clauses in fiscal year 2024. The lease the created the obligation as of September 30, 2013 expires or becomes subject to renewal clauses at various dates in fiscal year 2028. The Company will not record rent expense for these leases, but rather rental payments under the leases will be recognized as a reduction of the capital lease finance obligation and as interest expense. Depreciation expense for the related capitalized lease assets is included in store expenses in the consolidated statements of income. At the end of the lease term, the offsetting balances of the capitalized assets, net of accumulated depreciation, and the capital lease finance obligation will be derecognized.
	Future payments for capital
	lease finance obligations and capital
	lease obligations
	Future payments
	under the terms of the leases for opened stores included in capital lease finance obligations and capital lease obligations as of September 30, 2014 are as follows, dollars in thousands:
		Interest			Principal			Interest		Payments on		Total future
		expense on			payments on			expense on		capital lease		payments on capital lease finance and capital lease obligations
		capital lease			capital lease			capital lease		obligations
		finance			finance			obligations
		obligations			obligations
	2015	$	2,104			73			666		134		2,977
	2016		2,093			83			650		151		2,977
	2017		2,081			96			631		170		2,978
	2018		2,067			117			609		192		2,985
	2019		2,047			171			584		217		3,019
	Thereafter		15,467			3,638			3,013		3,808		25,926
	Non-cash derecognition of capital lease finance obligations at end of lease term		—			10,811			—		—		10,811
		$	25,859			14,989			6,153		4,672		51,673
	Future payments
	under the terms of the lease for the store location at which construction was in progress as of September 30, 2014, based on the store opening date in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, is as follows, dollars in thousands:
		Interest			Principal payments on			Total future
		expense on ca			cap			payments on capital lease finance
		pital lease			ital lease finance obligation for assets under construction			o
		f						bligation
		inance obligation						for asset
		for assets under construction						s
					under construction
2015	$	159			22			181
2016		156			37			193
2017		153			39			192
2018		150			50			200
2019		147			54			201
Thereafter		675			389			1,064
Non-cash derecognition of capital lease finance obligations at end of lease term		—			1,725			1,725
	$	1,440			2,316			3,756

Note_12_ShareBased_Compensatio

Note 12 - Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	1
	2
	. S
	hare
	-Based Compensation
	The Company adopted an Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Plan) on July 17, 2012. Restricted stock unit awards granted pursuant to the Plan, if they vest, will be settled in shares of the Company’s common stock. At the adoption of the Plan, there were 1,090,151 shares of common stock available for issuance or delivery under the Plan, of which 752,403 remain available for grants as of September 30, 2014. The Plan provides for awards of options, stock appreciation rights, stock grants, restricted stock units, other share-based awards and cash-based incentive awards to officers, board members and certain employees who are not named executive officers and consultants. As of September 30, 2014, only restricted stock units had been granted under the Plan, at no out-of-pocket cost to officers, board members and key employees. Except as described below with respect to the Chief Financial Officer, these restricted stock units vest subject to requisite service requirements, immediately in part or annually in terms over a one-to-four year period. The award recipients are not entitled to cash dividends or to vote with regard to non-vested restricted stock units, and the units are subject to forfeiture during the vesting period. Restricted stock units are granted at the market price of the Company’s stock on the day of grant and are expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
	The shares of non-vested restricted stock units as of September 30, 2014 were as follows:
		Shares			Weighted average
					grant date fair value
	Non-vested as of September 30, 2012		90,909		$	1.66
	Granted		68,911			32.87
	Forfeited		(204	)		34.07
	Vested		(73,563	)		7.25
	Non-vested as of September 30, 2013		86,053			21.8
	Granted		3,558			42.16
	Forfeited		(3,868	)		34.07
	Vested		(48,549	)		12.38
	Non-vested as of September 30, 2014		37,194			34.77
	As of September 30, 2012, the Company had issued restricted stock unit awards to its Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Board of Directors (Board). The restricted stock grant to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO Award) was in accordance with the terms of her employment agreement that was signed in June 2008 which stated she was entitled to receive a grant of restricted stock units equal to 1.2% of the fully diluted shares of the Company in connection with an IPO. Two thirds of the CFO Award vested immediately upon completion of the IPO and was settled in a combination of common stock and cash. The remaining one third has vested in three equal parts over a six, 12 and 18 month period following the IPO, and were settled 100% in shares of common stock. The occurrence of the IPO was deemed a performance condition, and therefore no expense for fiscal year 2012 was recorded until the performance condition was deemed probable (i.e. the closing of the IPO). Upon completion of the IPO in the fourth quarter of fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, the Company recorded the entire expense associated with the two thirds of the CFO Award that vested immediately, the portion that was settled in common shares was equity classified and expensed at the grant date fair value and the portion that was settled in cash was liability classified and expensed at the market value on the date of the IPO. The remaining one third of the CFO Award was valued at the grant date fair value, once the performance condition was deemed probable (occurrence of the IPO) a portion of the expense relating to the vesting period that had already expired (June 2008 to July 25, 2012) was expensed, and the remaining amount was expensed ratably over the vesting period. Share-based compensation expense for the CFO Award was insignificant for each of the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and was approximately $1.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2012.
	Each independent member of the Company’s Board is granted a number of non-vested restricted stock units under the Plan equal to the number of shares of common stock having a value of $50,000 (based on the closing price of common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant), which is granted each year on the date of the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders, or a pro rata portion in the case of a mid-year appointment. Share-based compensation expense for the Company’s awards to its Board was approximately $0.1 million, $0.1 million and insignificant for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Share-based compensation expense for awards to certain employees who are not named executive officers was approximately $0.4 million, $0.5 million and $0 for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The Company recorded total share-based compensation expense before income taxes of approximately $0.5 million, $0.6 million and $1.1 million in the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The share-based compensation expense is included in cost of goods sold and occupancy expenses, store expenses or administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income consistent with the manner in which the applicable officer, board member or key employee’s compensation expense is presented.
	As of September 30, 2014, there was approximately $1.2 million of unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock units, net of estimated forfeitures, which the Company anticipates will be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately three years.

Note_13_Related_Party_Transact

Note 13 - Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	1
	3
	. Related Party Transactions
	The Company has ongoing relationships with related parties as noted:
	Chalet
	Properties, LLC
	:
	The Company has seven operating leases (see Note 11) with Chalet Properties, LLC (Chalet). Chalet is owned by four of the Company’s non-independent board members: Kemper Isely, Zephyr Isely, Heather Isely and Elizabeth Isely, and other related family members. Rent paid to Chalet was approximately $1.3 million, $1.3 million and $1.5 million for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Isely Family Land Trust LLC:
	The Company has one operating lease (see Note 11) with the Isely Family Land Trust LLC (Land Trust). The Land Trust is owned by the Isely Children’s Trust and by the Margaret A. Isely Family Trust. Rent paid to the Land Trust was approximately $0.3 million for each of the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Note_14_Income_Taxes

Note 14 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	1
	4
	. Income Taxes
	The following are the components of the provision for income taxes as of September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, dollars in thousands:
		Year ended
		September 30,
		201			201			201
		4			3			2
	Current federal income tax expense	$	8,304			3,376			1,102
	Current state income tax expense		1,163			551			180
			9,467			3,927			1,282
	Deferred federal income tax (benefit) expense		(1,112	)		2,156			2,339
	Deferred state income tax (benefit) expense		(74	)		296			334
			(1,186	)		2,452			2,673
	Total provision for income taxes	$	8,281			6,379			3,955
	The differences between the United States federal statutory income tax rate and the Company’s effective tax rate are as follows:
		Year ended
		September 30,
		2014			201			201
					3			2
	Statutory tax rate		35	%		34			34
	Nontaxable income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			(2.7	)
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax expense		3			3.3			3
	Other, net		0.1			0.4			0.3
	Effective tax rate		38.1	%		37.7			34.6
	Deferred taxes have been classified on the consolidated balance sheets as follows, dollars in thousands:
		As of September 30,
		201			201
		4			3
	Current assets	$	832			1,114
	Long-term liabilities		(5,409	)		(6,877	)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(4,577	)		(5,763	)
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows, dollars in thousands:
		As of September 30,
		201			201
		4			3
	Deferred tax assets
	Capital and financing lease obligations	$	8,330			7,553
	Goodwill and BVC related intangibles		2,937			3,209
	Leasehold incentives		2,746			2,179
	Deferred rent		2,214			1,803
	Trademarks		1,018			1,024
	Accrued employee benefits		590			728
	Other		248			386
	Intangible assets - other		74			80
	Gross deferred tax assets		18,157			16,962
	Deferred tax liabilities
	Property and equipment		(19,930	)		(20,497	)
	Leasehold improvements		(2,804	)		(2,228	)
	Gross deferred tax liabilities		(22,734	)		(22,725	)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(4,577	)		(5,763	)
	Prior to the purchase of the noncontrolling interest in BVC in connection with the IPO (see Note 2), BVC was treated as a partnership under the Internal Revenue Code and similar state statutes; therefore, no provision or liability for federal or state income taxes related to the noncontrolling interest in BVC was included in the consolidated financial statements for the years ended September 30, 2012 and prior. The deferred tax amounts for the Company’s book versus tax basis in its 55% interest of BVC was reflected in the consolidated tax provision as outside basis in BVC for the year ended September 30, 2012, prior to acquisition. Following the purchase of the noncontrolling interest in BVC, income from BVC is treated as taxable income to the Company and included in the provision for federal and state income taxes. As a result of the acquisition of the remaining noncontrolling interest, the Company is entitled to tax deductions to the extent of any step up in tax basis on the assets of BVC, limited to the cash consideration paid. Additionally, for tax purposes, in the year ended September 30, 2012, the Company recorded the noncontrolling interest purchase by stepping up acquired fixed asset balances by approximately $0.8 million to reflect fair market value and recorded additional intangibles of approximately $9.2 million. Accordingly, the tax basis in excess of book basis at the date of purchase resulted in deferred tax assets of approximately $3.6 million.
	The Company believes that it is more likely than not that it will fully realize all deferred tax assets in the form of future deductions based on the nature of the deductible temporary differences and expected future taxable income.
	The Company had approximately $0.1 million as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, in tax effected operating loss carryforwards related to state income taxes. The Company utilized less than $0.1 million in tax effected state income tax carryforwards in the year ended September 30, 2013, and will utilize less than $0.1 million in tax effected state income tax carryforwards in the year ended September 30, 2014.
	The Company files income tax returns with federal, state and local tax authorities. With limited exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal income tax examinations for fiscal years 2011 and prior and is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations for fiscal years 2009 and prior.
	The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was enacted in January
	2013. The impact of the new law has been recognized in the period of enactment. The primary impact affecting the Company is the extension of the 50% bonus depreciation on qualifying assets and the special 15 year depreciation life for qualified leasehold property and qualified retail improvement property for property acquired from January
	1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. The Company also benefited from the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 and by the extension of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit through December
	31, 2013.

Note_15_Defined_Contribution_P

Note 15 - Defined Contribution Plan	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	1
	5
	. Defined Contribution Plan
	The Company has a defined contribution retirement plan (the Retirement Plan) covering substantially all employees who meet certain eligibility requirements as to age and length of service. The Retirement Plan incorporates the salary deferral provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employees may defer up to the annual maximum limit prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code. The Company, on a discretionary basis, may match 25% of participant contributions up to a maximum annual employer match of $2,500. The Company’s matching contribution included in administrative expenses was approximately $0.1 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Note_16_Segment_Reporting

Note 16 - Segment Reporting	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	1
	6
	. Segment Reporting
	The Company has one reporting segment, natural and organic retail stores. The Company’s revenues are derived from the sale of natural and organic products at its stores. All existing operations are domestic.
	Sales from the Company’s natural and organic retail stores are derived from sales of the following products which are presented as a percentage of sales for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 as follows:
		As of September 30,
		201			201		201
		4			3		2
	Grocery		66.7	%		65.2		62.7
	Dietary supplements		23.2			24.8		27
	Body care, pet care and other		10.1			10		10.3
			100	%		100		100

Note_17_Selected_Quarterly_Fin

Note 17 - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	'
	17
	. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
	The summarized quarterly financial data presented below reflect all adjustments, which in the opinion of management, are of a normal and recurring nature necessary to present fairly the results of operations for the periods presented.
	Summarized unaudited quarterly financial data for each fiscal year is as follows, dollars in thousands, except per share data:
	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2014	Three months ended
		December 31,			March 31,			June 30,			September
		2013			2014						30,
								2014			2014
	Net sales	$	120,580			130,343			134,036			135,715
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs		85,199			91,590			95,424			96,959
	Gross profit		35,381			38,753			38,612			38,756
	Store expenses		25,173			26,877			28,213			28,394
	Administrative expenses		3,889			3,548			3,585			3,801
	Pre-opening and relocation expenses		889			1,211			729			945
	Operating income		5,430			7,117			6,085			5,616
	Other income (expense):
	Dividends and interest income		1			1			—			—
	Interest expense		(707	)		(704	)		(706	)		(379	)
	Total other expense		(706	)		(703	)		(706	)		(379	)
	Income before income taxes		4,724			6,414			5,379			5,237
	Provision for income taxes		(1,802	)		(2,415	)		(2,015	)		(2,049	)
	Net income	$	2,922			3,999			3,364			3,188
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.13			0.18			0.15			0.14
	Diluted earnings per share		0.13			0.18			0.15			0.14
	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013	Three months ended
		December 31,			March 31,			June 30,			September 30,
		2012			2013						2013
								2013
	Net sales	$	95,831			106,485			113,164			115,175
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs		67,994			74,668			80,571			81,689
	Gross profit		27,837			31,817			32,593			33,486
	Store expenses		20,203			22,163			23,181			24,388
	Administrative expenses		3,326			3,342			3,242			3,569
	Pre-opening and relocation expenses		519			796			961			955
	Operating income		3,789			5,516			5,209			4,574
	Other income (expense):
	Dividends and interest income		2			2			3			2
	Interest expense		(255	)		(401	)		(610	)		(900	)
	Total other expense		(253	)		(399	)		(607	)		(898	)
	Income before income taxes		3,536			5,117			4,602			3,676
	Provision for income taxes		(1,315	)		(1,900	)		(1,716	)		(1,448	)
	Net income	$	2,221			3,217			2,886			2,228
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.1			0.14			0.13			0.1
	Diluted earnings per share		0.1			0.14			0.13			0.1

Note_18_Commitments_and_Contin

Note 18 - Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	18
	. Commitments and Contingencies
	Self-Insurance
	The Company is self-insured for claims under its health benefit plans, subject to a stop loss policy. The self-insurance liability related to claims under the Company’s health benefit plans is determined based on analysis of actual claims. The amounts related to these claims are included as a component of payroll and employee related expenses in accrued expenses. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are estimated, in part, by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors and other actuarial assumptions. While the Company believes that its assumptions are appropriate, the estimated accrual for these liabilities could be significantly affected if future occurrences and claims differ from these assumptions and historical trends.
	Legal
	The Company is periodically involved in various legal proceedings that are incidental to the conduct of its business, including but not limited to employment discrimination claims, customer injury claims and investigations. When the potential liability from a matter can be estimated and the loss is considered probable, the Company records the estimated loss. Due to uncertainties related to the resolution of lawsuits, investigations and claims, the ultimate outcome may differ from the estimates. Although the Company cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of any lawsuits, investigations and claims asserted against it, management does not believe any currently pending legal proceeding to which the Company is a party will have a material adverse effect on its business, prospects, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Note_19_Subsequent_Events

Note 19 - Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	19
	. Subsequent Events
	On November 7, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase substantially all of the assets and to assume certain liabilities of a natural food retailer located in Independence, Missouri. The purchase price for the transaction, prior to final adjustments, is approximately $6.2 million. The initial allocation of the purchase price is pending completion of various analyses and finalization of estimates. On December 7, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition, entered into an operating lease for the store location and began operations of the store under the Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage name.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The holding company was incorporated in Delaware on April 9, 2012. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include all the accounts of the holding company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc. (the operating company), Vitamin Cottage Two Ltd. Liability Company (VC2), Natural Systems, LLC and Boulder Vitamin Cottage Group, LLC (BVC). The operating company formed the holding company in order to facilitate the purchase of the remaining noncontrolling interest in BVC and consummation of the Company’s initial public offering (IPO) during fiscal year 2012. Prior to the Company’s IPO on July 25, 2012, the Company had a majority 55% ownership of BVC. Prior to the settlement of the IPO, the Company issued 670,056 shares of stock in the holding company and paid approximately $10.1 million in cash to purchase the remaining 45% noncontrolling interest in BVC. Prior to the merger, BVC owned five
	Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
	retail stores, which were managed by the operating company. Effective October 31, 2012, BVC merged with and into the operating company and ceased to exist. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Initial Public Offering [Policy Text Block]	'
	Initial Public Offering
	The holding company was incorporated in anticipation of the Company’s IPO. Prior to the IPO, the holding company was a wholly owned subsidiary of the operating company. In connection with the Company’s IPO during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012, the Company completed a reorganization in which a) the existing shareholders of the operating company exchanged capital stock of the operating company for shares of common stock of the holding company and b) the operating company purchased the remaining 45% noncontrolling interest in BVC for a combination of cash and common stock of the holding company, as described above. The holding company’s only material asset is its direct 100% ownership in the operating company. On July 25, 2012, the Company issued 4,167,367 shares to the public in the IPO. Simultaneously with the IPO, certain selling shareholders sold 4,046,918 shares to the public, resulting in no additional proceeds to the Company. The total number of shares issued in the IPO was 8,214,285.
	Based on the public offering price of $15.00, the Company received gross proceeds from the issuance of 4,167,367 shares issued to the public in the IPO of approximately $62.5 million, and paid underwriting costs of 7%, or approximately $4.4 million, for net proceeds of approximately $58.1 million. The Company also incurred issuance costs of approximately $2.7 million.
	The Company accounted for the acquisition of the BVC noncontrolling interest, as described above, as an equity transaction. Since the transaction was treated as an equity transaction, the transaction costs were also reflected as a reduction of equity and a financing activity in the statement of cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2012. The Company recorded the issuance of the 670,056 shares in common stock at par value, reduced cash and cash equivalents by approximately $10.1 million, eliminated approximately $1.5 million in noncontrolling interest on the balance sheet as of September 30, 2012, and recorded the remaining amount as additional paid in capital. As a result of the acquisition of the remaining noncontrolling interest, the Company was entitled to tax deductions to the extent of any step up in tax basis on the assets of BVC, limited to the cash consideration paid. Accordingly, the tax basis in excess of book basis at the date of purchase resulted in deferred tax assets of approximately $3.6 million as of September 30, 2012.
	As of September 30, 2012, the Company used approximately $39.2 million of the net proceeds from the IPO to pay down all outstanding amounts under its then-existing credit facility of approximately $26.4 million, pay the cash portion of the BVC purchase of approximately $10.1 million, pay expenses associated with the IPO of approximately $2.4 million, and pay the cash portion of restricted stock awards of approximately $0.3 million. For the year ended September 30, 2013, the Company used approximately $0.3 million of the proceeds to pay the remaining issuance costs associated with the IPO, and the remaining proceeds from the IPO of approximately $18.6 million were used to fund working capital and for general corporate purposes.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management reviews its estimates on an ongoing basis, including those related to allowances for self-insurance reserves, valuation of inventories, useful lives of property and equipment for depreciation and amortization, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets and liabilities and litigation based on currently available information. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates and actual results could differ from those estimates.
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Segment Information
	The Company has one reporting segment, natural and organic retail stores.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include currency on hand, demand deposits with banks, money market funds and credit and debit card transactions which typically settle within three business days. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a remaining maturity of 90 days or less when acquired to be cash equivalents.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Restricted
	Cash
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company held restricted cash of approximately $0.5 million which represented cash that was pledged as collateral for a standby letter of credit related to the Company’s workers’ compensation insurance. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had released the restricted cash balance which existed as of September 30, 2013, and has no restricted cash balance outstanding.
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Investments
	Available-for-sale investments are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale investments are excluded from earnings and are reported as a component of other comprehensive income until realized. A decline in the fair value of any available-for-sale security below cost that is deemed to be other-than-temporary for a period greater than two fiscal quarters results in a reduction of the fair value. Declines in fair value deemed to be other-than-temporary are charged against net earnings. Investments that have an original maturity date of less than one year are classified as short-term assets, and investments that have an original maturity date greater than one year are classified as long-term assets.
Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable consists primarily of receivables from vendors for certain promotional programs, newsletter advertising and other miscellaneous receivables and are presented net of any allowances for doubtful accounts. Vendor receivable balances are generally presented on a gross basis separate from any related payable due. Allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated based on historical experience and application of the specific identification method and totaled less than $0.1 million at September 30, 2014. There was no allowance for doubtful accounts as of September 30, 2013.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist primarily of investments in cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company’s cash and cash equivalent account balances, which are held in major financial institutions, exceeded the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s federally insured limits by approximately $2.5 million as of September 30, 2014.
Vendor Concentration [Policy Text Block]	'
	Vendor Concentration
	For the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, purchases from the Company’s largest vendor and one of its subsidiaries represented approximately 56%, 55% and 53% of all product purchases made during the respective periods. However, the Company believes that, if necessary, alternate vendors could supply similar products in adequate quantities to avoid material disruption to operations.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Merchandise Inventory
	Merchandise inventory consists of goods held for sale. The cost of inventory includes certain costs associated with the preparation of inventory for sale, including inventory overhead costs. Merchandise inventory is carried at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the weighted average cost method.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment is stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of the related assets.
			Useful lives
			(in
			years)
	Land improvements		5	–	15
	Buildings			40
	Leasehold and building improvements		1	–	25
	Capitalized real estate leases for build-to-suit stores			40
	Capitalized real estate leases			15
	Fixtures and equipment		5	–	7
	Computer hardware and software		3	–	5
	For land improvements and leasehold and building improvements, depreciation is recorded over the shorter of the assets’ useful lives or the lease terms. Maintenance, repairs and renewals that neither add to the value of the property nor appreciably prolong its life are charged to expense as incurred. Gains and losses on disposition of property and equipment are included in store expenses in the year of disposition, and primarily relate to store relocations.
	The Company capitalizes interest, if applicable, as part of the historical costs of buildings and leasehold and building improvements. The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred with developing or obtaining internal-use software. Capitalized software costs are included in property and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets and are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the software. Software costs that do not meet capitalization criteria are expensed as incurred.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company records its financial assets and liabilities at fair value in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value in authoritative guidance. The framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and the Company’s own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The three levels are defined as follows:
	Level 1—	Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
	Level 2—	Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and
	Level 3—	Inputs are unobservable and are considered significant to the fair value measurement.
	Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred as of the date of the event or transfer.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets primarily consist of goodwill, trademarks, favorable operating leases and covenants-not-to-compete. Goodwill and the
	Vitamin Cottage®
	trademark have indefinite lives and are not amortized; rather, they are tested for impairment at least annually. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company evaluates the reasonableness of the useful lives of these intangibles at least annually.
	The Company’s annual impairment testing of goodwill is performed as of September 30. In performing the Company’s analysis of goodwill, the Company first evaluates qualitative factors, including relevant events and circumstances, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the two-step impairment test is not necessary. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the Company performs the two-step impairment test. Under the first step, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value (including goodwill). If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an indication of goodwill impairment exists for the reporting unit and the Company must perform step two of the impairment test (measurement). Under step two, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. Thus far, the Company has recorded no impairment charges related to goodwill.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Including Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Impairment of
	Finite-Lived
	Intangible and Long-Lived Assets
	Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company aggregates long-lived assets at the store level, which the Company considers to be the lowest level in the organization for which independent identifiable cash flows are available. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group to be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that store to its carrying value. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. The Company considers factors such as historic and forecasted operating results, trends and future prospects, current market value, significant industry trends and other economic and regulatory factors in performing these analyses. Thus far, the Company has recorded no impairment charges related to finite-lived intangible or long-lived assets.
Deferred Charges, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Deferred Financing Costs
	Certain costs incurred with borrowings or establishment of credit facilities are deferred. These costs are amortized over the life of the borrowing or the life of the credit facility using the straight-line methods.
Lease, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Leases
	The Company leases retail stores, a bulk food repackaging facility and distribution center and administrative offices under long-term operating or capital and financing leases. These leases include scheduled increases in minimum rents and renewal provisions at the option of the Company. The lease term for accounting purposes commences with the date the Company takes possession of the space and ends on the later of the primary lease term or the expiration of any renewal periods that are deemed to be reasonably assured at the inception of the lease.
	Operating leases
	The Company accounts for operating leases with rent holidays and escalating payment terms by recognizing the associated expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, and the difference between the average rental amount charged to expense and amounts payable under the leases are included in deferred rent. For certain leases, the Company has also received cash from landlords to compensate for costs incurred by the Company in making the store locations ready for operation (leasehold incentives or tenant allowances). Leasehold incentives received from a landlord are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis as a reduction to rent expense over the lease term.
	Capital financing leases
	From time to time, the Company enters into leases with developers for build-to-suit store locations. Upon lease execution, the Company analyzes its involvement during the construction period.
	As a result of defined forms of lessee involvement, the Company could be deemed the “owner” for accounting purposes during the construction period, and may be required to capitalize the project costs on its balance sheet. If the project costs are capitalized, the Company performs a sale-leaseback analysis upon completion of the construction
	to determine if the Company can remove the assets from its balance sheet. If the asset cannot be removed from the balance sheet, the fair market value of the building remains recognized as an asset on the balance sheet, along with a corresponding capital lease financing obligation equal to the fair market value of the building less any amount the Company contributed towards construction. The Company does not record rent expense for the rental payments under capital financing leases, but rather payments under the capital financing lease obligations are recognized as a reduction of the capital lease financing obligation and as interest expense. The capital financing lease asset is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset.
	Capital leases
	Occasionally, the Company enters into leases that are deemed to be capital leases. For these leases, the Company capitalizes the lower of the present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased asset at inception and records a corresponding capital lease obligation. The Company does not record rent expense for the rental payments under capital leases, but rather payments under the capital lease obligations are recognized as a reduction of the capital lease obligation and as interest expense. The capital lease asset is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the term of the related lease.
Self Insurance Reserve [Policy Text Block]	'
	Self-Insurance
	The Company is self-insured for certain losses relating to employee medical and dental benefits and workers compensation. Stop-loss coverage has been purchased to limit exposure to any significant level of claims. Self-insured losses are accrued based upon the Company’s estimates of the aggregate claims incurred but not reported using historical experience. The estimated accruals for these liabilities could be significantly affected if future occurrences and claims differ from historical trends.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue is recognized at the point of sale, net of in-house coupons, discounts and returns. Sales taxes are not included in sales. The Company charges sales tax on all taxable customer purchases and remits these taxes monthly to the appropriate taxing jurisdiction. The Company records a deferred revenue liability within accrued expenses when it sells the Company’s gift cards or issues gift cards for award or promotional purposes, and records a sale when a customer redeems the gift card. Generally, the gift cards do not expire. The Company currently does not record breakage for unused portions of gift cards.
Cost of Goods Sold and Occupancy Costs [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cost of Goods Sold and Occupancy Costs
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs includes the cost of inventory sold during the period net of discounts and allowances, as well as, distribution, shipping and handling costs, store occupancy costs and costs of the bulk food repackaging facility and distribution center. The amount shown is net of various rebates from third-party vendors in the form of quantity discounts and payments. Vendor consideration associated with product discounts is recorded as either a reduction of merchandise inventory or cost of goods sold. Store occupancy costs include rent, common area maintenance and real estate taxes. Store occupancy costs do not include any rent amounts for the store leases classified as capital and financing lease obligations.
Store Expenses [Policy Text Block]	'
	Store Expenses
	Store expenses consist of store-level expenses such as salaries, benefits and share-based compensation, supplies, utilities, depreciation, gain or loss on disposal of assets and other related costs associated with operations support. Store expenses also include purchasing support services and advertising and marketing costs.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Administrative Expenses
	Administrative expenses consist of salaries, benefits and share-based compensation, occupancy costs, depreciation, office supplies, hardware and software expenses, professional services expenses and other general and administrative expenses.
Pre-Opening Costs and Relocation Expenses [Policy Text Block]	'
	Pre-Opening and Relocation Expenses
	Costs associated with the opening of new stores or relocating existing stores are expensed as incurred.
Advertising Cost, Policy, Expensed Advertising Cost [Policy Text Block]	'
	Advertising and Marketing
	Advertising and marketing costs are expensed as incurred and are included in store expenses and pre-opening and relocation expenses in the consolidated statements of income. Total advertising and marketing expenses for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $7.8 million, $6.2 million and $5.1 million, respectively, net of vendor reimbursements received for newsletter advertising. Advertising expense reimbursements received from vendors totaled approximately $1.9 million, $1.5 million and $1.3 million for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	S
	hare
	-
	B
	ased
	C
	ompensation
	The Company adopted an Omnibus Incentive Plan in connection with the IPO on July 25, 2012. Restricted common stock units are granted at the market price of the stock on the day of grant and expensed over the applicable vesting period.
	The excess tax benefits for recognized compensation costs are reported as a credit to additional-paid-in capital and as operating cash outflows when such excess tax benefits are realized by a reduction to current taxes payable.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. This method requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences that currently exist between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in the respective jurisdictions in which the Company operates.
	The Company considers the need to establish valuation allowances to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amounts the Company believes are more likely than not to be recovered.
	The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. Although the Company believes that its estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates. In addition, the Company is subject to periodic audits and examinations by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other state and local taxing authorities.
	Any interest or penalties incurred related to income taxes are expensed as incurred and treated as permanent differences for tax purposes.
Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements
	Prior to the Company’s IPO on July 25, 2012, the Company had a majority 55% ownership of BVC, which owned five
	Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
	retail stores managed by the operating company. Immediately prior to the IPO, the Company issued common stock and paid cash to purchase the remaining 45% noncontrolling interest in BVC. Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s consolidated financial statements relates to the noncontrolling 45% ownership in BVC prior to the purchase. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest and net income attributable to the Company are reported separately in the consolidated statements of income and statements of comprehensive income.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In
	May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU No 2014-09 provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled for the transfer of those goods or services. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning on October 1, 2017 and early application is not permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.” ASU 2014-15 defines management’s responsibility to perform interim and annual assessments on whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued and to provide related footnote disclosures, if required. The guidance will be effective for the Company beginning with its fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, and early application is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

Note_2_Basis_of_Presentation_a1

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes Tables	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
		Useful lives
		(in
		years)
	Land improvements	5	–	15
	Buildings		40
	Leasehold and building improvements	1	–	25
	Capitalized real estate leases for build-to-suit stores		40
	Capitalized real estate leases		15
	Fixtures and equipment	5	–	7
	Computer hardware and software	3	–	5

Note_3_Earnings_Per_Share_Tabl

Note 3 - Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes Tables	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	'
		Year ended September 30,
		201		201		201
		4		3		2
	Net income attributable to Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.	$	13,473		10,552		6,649
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		22,466,432		22,399,346		22,372,184
	Effect of dilutive securities		13,403		42,036		90,909
	Weighted average common shares outstanding including effect of dilutive securities		22,479,835		22,441,382		22,463,093
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.6		0.47		0.3
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.6		0.47		0.3

Note_5_Fair_Value_Measurements1

Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes Tables	'
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]	'
				As of September 30,
				201				201
				4				3
		Input		Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
		Level		Amount				Amount
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market fund		1	$	─		─		501		501
	Investments — available-for-sale securities:
	Certificates of deposit		2		─		─		585		585
	Corporate bonds		2		─		─		376		376
	Municipal bonds		2		─		─		188		188

Note_6_Property_and_Equipment_

Note 6 - Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes Tables	'
Schedule of Property Plant and Equipment Components [Table Text Block]	'
		Useful lives						As of September 30,
		(in years)						201				201
								4				3
	Construction in process			n/a				$	6,867				5,421
	Capitalized real estate leases for build-to-suit stores, including unamortized land of $617 and $600, respectively			40					17,107				15,774
	Capitalized real estate leases			15					4,866				4,866
	Land			n/a					192				─
	Buildings			40					3,985				─
	Land improvements		5	-	15				1,000				1,000
	Leasehold and building improvements		1	-	25				74,691				59,058
	Fixtures and equipment		5	-	7				69,894				56,459
	Computer hardware and software		3	-	5				10,740				8,252
									189,342				150,830
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization								(69,118	)			(51,920	)
	Property and equipment, net							$	120,224				98,910
Depreciation and Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	'
		Year ended September 30,
		201				201				201
		4				3				2
	Depreciation and amortization expense included in cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	$	770				709				436
	Depreciation and amortization expense included in store expenses		15,861				12,365				8,710
	Depreciation and amortization expense included in administrative expenses		581				422				803
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	17,212				13,496				9,949

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta1

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes Tables	'
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
		Useful lives		As of September 30,
		(in years)		201			201
				4			3
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Covenants-not-to-compete		5	$	293			293
	Favorable operating lease		5		339			339
	Other intangibles		0.5		22			22
	Amortized intangible assets				654			654
	Less accumulated amortization				(654	)		(654	)
	Amortized intangible assets, net				—			—
	Trademark		Indefinite		389			389
	Total other intangibles, net				389			389
	Goodwill		Indefinite		511			511
	Total goodwill and other intangibles, net			$	900			900

Note_8_Accrued_Expenses_Tables

Note 8 - Accrued Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes Tables	'
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
		As of September 30,
		2014		201
				3
	Payroll and employee-related expenses	$	5,886		5,247
	Accrued income taxes payable		4,868		95
	Accrued property, sales and use tax payable		3,409		2,591
	Deferred revenue related to gift card sales		725		625
	Other		934		748
	Total accrued expenses	$	15,822		9,306

Note_11_Lease_Commitments_Tabl

Note 11 - Lease Commitments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes Tables	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	'
		Third			Related			Total Operating
		parties			parties			Leases
	2015	$	19,167			1,654			20,821
	2016		20,446			1,633			22,079
	2017		20,003			1,635			21,638
	2018		19,907			1,635			21,542
	2019		18,646			1,635			20,281
	Thereafter		152,842			10,482			163,324
		$	251,011			18,674			269,685
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	'
		As of September 30,
		2014			2013
	Capital lease finance obligations, due in monthly installments through fiscal year 2028	$	14,989			13,746
	Capital lease obligations due in monthly installments through fiscal year 2028		4,672			4,792
	Capital lease finance obligation for assets under construction, due in monthly installments through fiscal year 2024 and 2028, respectively		2,316			1,284
	Total capital and financing lease obligations		21,977			19,822
	Less current portion		(229	)		(174	)
	Total capital and financing lease obligations, net of current portion	$	21,748			19,648
Capital Lease Finance Obligations [Member] | Construction in Progress [Member]	'
Notes Tables	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital and Finance Lease Obligations [Table Text Block]	'
		Interest			Principal payments on			Total future
		expense on ca			cap			payments on capital lease finance
		pital lease			ital lease finance obligation for assets under construction			o
		f						bligation
		inance obligation						for asset
		for assets under construction						s
								under construction
	2015	$	159			22			181
	2016		156			37			193
	2017		153			39			192
	2018		150			50			200
	2019		147			54			201
	Thereafter		675			389			1,064
	Non-cash derecognition of capital lease finance obligations at end of lease term		—			1,725			1,725
		$	1,440			2,316			3,756
Capital Lease Finance Obligations [Member] | Assets Held Under Real Estate Leases for Build to Suit Stores [Member]	'
Notes Tables	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital and Finance Lease Obligations [Table Text Block]	'
		Interest			Principal			Interest		Payments on		Total future
		expense on			payments on			expense on		capital lease		payments on capital lease finance and capital lease obligations
		capital lease			capital lease			capital lease		obligations
		finance			finance			obligations
		obligations			obligations
	2015	$	2,104			73			666		134		2,977
	2016		2,093			83			650		151		2,977
	2017		2,081			96			631		170		2,978
	2018		2,067			117			609		192		2,985
	2019		2,047			171			584		217		3,019
	Thereafter		15,467			3,638			3,013		3,808		25,926
	Non-cash derecognition of capital lease finance obligations at end of lease term		—			10,811			—		—		10,811
		$	25,859			14,989			6,153		4,672		51,673

Note_12_ShareBased_Compensatio1

Note 12 - Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes Tables	'
Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	'
		Shares			Weighted average
					grant date fair value
	Non-vested as of September 30, 2012		90,909		$	1.66
	Granted		68,911			32.87
	Forfeited		(204	)		34.07
	Vested		(73,563	)		7.25
	Non-vested as of September 30, 2013		86,053			21.8
	Granted		3,558			42.16
	Forfeited		(3,868	)		34.07
	Vested		(48,549	)		12.38
	Non-vested as of September 30, 2014		37,194			34.77

Note_14_Income_Taxes_Tables

Note 14 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes Tables	'
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	'
		Year ended
		September 30,
		201			201			201
		4			3			2
	Current federal income tax expense	$	8,304			3,376			1,102
	Current state income tax expense		1,163			551			180
			9,467			3,927			1,282
	Deferred federal income tax (benefit) expense		(1,112	)		2,156			2,339
	Deferred state income tax (benefit) expense		(74	)		296			334
			(1,186	)		2,452			2,673
	Total provision for income taxes	$	8,281			6,379			3,955
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
		Year ended
		September 30,
		2014			201			201
					3			2
	Statutory tax rate		35	%		34			34
	Nontaxable income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			(2.7	)
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax expense		3			3.3			3
	Other, net		0.1			0.4			0.3
	Effective tax rate		38.1	%		37.7			34.6
Schedule of Classification of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
		As of September 30,
		201			201
		4			3
	Current assets	$	832			1,114
	Long-term liabilities		(5,409	)		(6,877	)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(4,577	)		(5,763	)
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
		As of September 30,
		201			201
		4			3
	Deferred tax assets
	Capital and financing lease obligations	$	8,330			7,553
	Goodwill and BVC related intangibles		2,937			3,209
	Leasehold incentives		2,746			2,179
	Deferred rent		2,214			1,803
	Trademarks		1,018			1,024
	Accrued employee benefits		590			728
	Other		248			386
	Intangible assets - other		74			80
	Gross deferred tax assets		18,157			16,962
	Deferred tax liabilities
	Property and equipment		(19,930	)		(20,497	)
	Leasehold improvements		(2,804	)		(2,228	)
	Gross deferred tax liabilities		(22,734	)		(22,725	)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(4,577	)		(5,763	)

Note_16_Segment_Reporting_Tabl

Note 16 - Segment Reporting (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes Tables	'
Schedule of Product Information [Table Text Block]	'
		As of September 30,
		201			201		201
		4			3		2
	Grocery		66.7	%		65.2		62.7
	Dietary supplements		23.2			24.8		27
	Body care, pet care and other		10.1			10		10.3
			100	%		100		100

Note_17_Selected_Quarterly_Fin1

Note 17 - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes Tables	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	'
	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2014	Three months ended
		December 31,			March 31,			June 30,			September
		2013			2014						30,
								2014			2014
	Net sales	$	120,580			130,343			134,036			135,715
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs		85,199			91,590			95,424			96,959
	Gross profit		35,381			38,753			38,612			38,756
	Store expenses		25,173			26,877			28,213			28,394
	Administrative expenses		3,889			3,548			3,585			3,801
	Pre-opening and relocation expenses		889			1,211			729			945
	Operating income		5,430			7,117			6,085			5,616
	Other income (expense):
	Dividends and interest income		1			1			—			—
	Interest expense		(707	)		(704	)		(706	)		(379	)
	Total other expense		(706	)		(703	)		(706	)		(379	)
	Income before income taxes		4,724			6,414			5,379			5,237
	Provision for income taxes		(1,802	)		(2,415	)		(2,015	)		(2,049	)
	Net income	$	2,922			3,999			3,364			3,188
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.13			0.18			0.15			0.14
	Diluted earnings per share		0.13			0.18			0.15			0.14
	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013	Three months ended
		December 31,			March 31,			June 30,			September 30,
		2012			2013						2013
								2013
	Net sales	$	95,831			106,485			113,164			115,175
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs		67,994			74,668			80,571			81,689
	Gross profit		27,837			31,817			32,593			33,486
	Store expenses		20,203			22,163			23,181			24,388
	Administrative expenses		3,326			3,342			3,242			3,569
	Pre-opening and relocation expenses		519			796			961			955
	Operating income		3,789			5,516			5,209			4,574
	Other income (expense):
	Dividends and interest income		2			2			3			2
	Interest expense		(255	)		(401	)		(610	)		(900	)
	Total other expense		(253	)		(399	)		(607	)		(898	)
	Income before income taxes		3,536			5,117			4,602			3,676
	Provision for income taxes		(1,315	)		(1,900	)		(1,716	)		(1,448	)
	Net income	$	2,221			3,217			2,886			2,228
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.1			0.14			0.13			0.1
	Diluted earnings per share		0.1			0.14			0.13			0.1

Note_1_Organization_Details_Te

Note 1 - Organization (Details Textual)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	87	72	59
Arizona [Member]	'	'	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	3	'	'
Colorado [Member]	'	'	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	32	'	'
Idaho [Member]	'	'	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	3	'	'
Kansas [Member]	'	'	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	6	'	'
Missouri [Member]	'	'	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	1	'	'
Montana [Member]	'	'	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	4	'	'
Nebraska [Member]	'	'	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	3	'	'
New Mexico [Member]	'	'	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	5	'	'
Oklahoma [Member]	'	'	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	4	'	'
Oregon [Member]	'	'	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	8	'	'
Texas [Member]	'	'	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	13	'	'
Utah [Member]	'	'	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	2	'	'
Washington [Member]	'	'	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	1	'	'
Wyoming [Member]	'	'	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	2	'	'

Note_2_Basis_of_Presentation_a2

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jul. 24, 2012

Jul. 25, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jul. 25, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jul. 24, 2012

Jul. 24, 2012

Oct. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

IPO [Member]

IPO [Member]

IPO [Member]

Selling Shareholders [Member]

BVC [Member]

BVC [Member]

BVC [Member]

BVC [Member]

Cost of Goods, Total [Member]

Cost of Goods, Total [Member]

Cost of Goods, Total [Member]

BVC [Member]

Supplier Concentration Risk [Member]

Supplier Concentration Risk [Member]

Supplier Concentration Risk [Member]

Largest Vendor and One of its Subsidiaries [Member]

Largest Vendor and One of its Subsidiaries [Member]

Largest Vendor and One of its Subsidiaries [Member]

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

55.00%

'

55.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Noncontrolling Interest Purchased, Shares Issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

670,056

670,056

'

'

'

'

Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries

'

'

$10,051,000

'

'

'

$10,100,000

'

'

'

$10.10

$10,100,000

'

'

'

'

Non-controlling Interest Purchased, Percentage

'

'

45.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

45.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Stores

87

72

59

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership in Operating Company

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues

'

'

'

'

4,167,367

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Sold During Period Including Existing Shares

'

'

'

'

8,214,285

'

'

4,046,918

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share Price

'

'

'

'

$15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gross Proceeds from Issuance of Shares in Initial Public Offering

'

'

'

'

62,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Underwriting Costs Paid as Percentage of Gross Proceeds from Initial Public Offering

'

'

'

'

7.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments of Underwriting Costs

'

'

'

'

4,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Issuance Initial Public Offering

'

'

58,135,000

'

58,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Issuance Costs

'

'

'

'

2,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests

'

'

-10,051,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

Deferred Tax Assets Step Up Tax Basis from Assets Acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,600,000

Portion of Proceeds from Initial Public Offering Put to Use for Repayment of Lines of Credit and Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries and Stock Issuance Costs and to Settle Awards

'

'

'

'

'

'

39,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of Lines of Credit

46,440,000

81,000

27,236,000

'

'

'

26,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments of Stock Issuance Costs

'

268,000

2,460,000

'

'

300,000

2,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Cash Flow Effect, Cash Used to Settle Awards

0

0

335,000

'

'

'

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Portion of Proceeds from Initial Public Offering Put to Use to Fund Working Capital and for General Corporate Purposes

'

'

'

'

'

18,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Reportable Segments

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current

0

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current

100,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash, Uninsured Amount

2,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Concentration Risk, Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

56.00%

55.00%

53.00%

'

Marketing and Advertising Expense

7,800,000

6,200,000

5,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reimbursement Revenue

1,900,000

1,500,000

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, Impairment Loss

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset Impairment Charges

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_2_Basis_of_Presentation_a3

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives of the Related Assets (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Assets Held under Capital Leases [Member]	'
Useful lives	'15 years
Building [Member]	'
Useful lives	'40 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Useful lives	'7 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Useful lives	'5 years
Land Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Useful lives	'15 years
Land Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Useful lives	'5 years
Capitalized Real Estate Leases for Build-to-suit Stores [Member]	'
Useful lives	'40 years
Computer Hardware and Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Useful lives	'5 years
Computer Hardware and Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Useful lives	'3 years
Leasehold and Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Useful lives	'25 years
Leasehold and Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Useful lives	'1 year

Note_3_Earnings_Per_Share_Deta

Note 3 - Earnings Per Share (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000	'
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	22,485,488	22,441,253	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	10,000,000	'	'
Dividends	$0	$0	$0
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	22,485,488	22,441,253	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	'	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	3,558	50,320	0

Note_3_Earnings_Per_Share_Basi

Note 3 - Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net income attributable to Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.	$13,473,000	$10,552,000	$6,649,000
Basic (in shares)	22,466,432	22,399,346	22,372,184
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	13,403	42,036	90,909
Weighted average common shares outstanding including effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	22,479,835	22,441,382	22,463,093
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.60	$0.47	$0.30
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.60	$0.47	$0.30

Note_4_Investments_Details_Tex

Note 4 - Investments (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Available-For-Sale Securities in Net Unrealized Gain Position Fair Value	'	$1,100,000	'
Available-For-Sale Securities in Unrealized Gain Positions Qualitative Disclosure Number of Positions	'	5	3
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions	'	4	9
Available-For-Sale Securities in Net Unrealized Loss Position Fair Value	'	'	1,800,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Available-for-sale Securities	0	0	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	'	'	'
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Money Market Funds, at Carrying Value	0	500,000	'
Short-term Investments [Member]	'	'	'
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	$0	$1,100,000	'
Investments Maturity Period	'	'150 days	'

Note_5_Fair_Value_Measurements2

Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Payments to Acquire Available-for-sale Securities	$0	$521,000	$1,751,000
Proceeds from Maturities, Prepayments and Calls of Available-for-sale Securities	1,140,000	1,010,000	'
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities	0	90,000	'
Fair Value, Assets, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount	0	0	'
Fair Value, Assets, Level 2 to Level 1 Transfers, Amount	0	0	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$0	$0	'

Note_5_Fair_Value_Measurements3

Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilites Subject to Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]	'
Investments b available-for-sale securities:	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	$585,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Corporate Bond Securities [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]	'
Investments b available-for-sale securities:	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	376,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Municipal Bonds [Member]	'
Investments b available-for-sale securities:	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	188,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]	'
Investments b available-for-sale securities:	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	585,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Corporate Bond Securities [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]	'
Investments b available-for-sale securities:	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	376,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Municipal Bonds [Member]	'
Investments b available-for-sale securities:	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	188,000
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]	'
Cash equivalents:	'
Money market fund	501,000
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'
Cash equivalents:	'
Money market fund	$501,000

Note_6_Property_and_Equipment_1

Note 6 - Property and Equipment (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$189,342,000	$150,830,000	'
Interest Paid, Capitalized	0	0	25,000
Property Plant and Equipment Internal Staff Compensation Amortized	300,000	300,000	500,000
Build to Suit Lease in Process [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	2,300,000	1,300,000	'
Computer Software Development [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Additions	100,000	100,000	'
Leasehold and Building Improvements and Fixtures and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Additions Internal Staff Compensation Capitalized	500,000	400,000	'
Capital and Financing Lease Obligations [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Interest Paid, Capitalized	$400,000	$0	'

Note_6_Property_and_Equipment_2

Note 6 - Property and Equipment - Property and Equipment Components (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment, gross	$189,342	$150,830
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-69,118	-51,920
Property and equipment, net	120,224	98,910
Assets Held under Capital Leases [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, gross	4,866	4,866
Useful lives	'15 years	'
Building [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, gross	3,985	'
Useful lives	'40 years	'
Construction in Progress [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, gross	6,867	5,421
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, gross	69,894	56,459
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Useful lives	'7 years	'
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Useful lives	'5 years	'
Land Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, gross	1,000	1,000
Land Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Useful lives	'15 years	'
Land Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Useful lives	'5 years	'
Land [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, gross	192	'
Capitalized Real Estate Leases for Build-to-suit Stores [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, gross	17,107	15,774
Useful lives	'40 years	'
Computer Hardware and Software [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, gross	10,740	8,252
Computer Hardware and Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Useful lives	'5 years	'
Computer Hardware and Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Useful lives	'3 years	'
Leasehold and Building Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, gross	$74,691	$59,058
Leasehold and Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Useful lives	'25 years	'
Leasehold and Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Useful lives	'1 year	'

Note_6_Property_and_Equipment_3

Note 6 - Property and Equipment - Property and Equipment Components (Details) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment, gross	$189,342	$150,830
Unamortized Land [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, gross	$617	$600

Note_6_Property_and_Equipment_4

Note 6 - Property and Equipment - Depreciation and Amortization Expense (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Depreciation and amortization expense	$17,212	$13,496	$9,949
Cost of Sales [Member]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	770	709	436
General and Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	581	422	803
Stores [Member]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	$15,861	$12,365	$8,710

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta2

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
			Maximum [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$0	$0.10	$0.10

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta3

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Amortizable intangible assets:	'	'
Amortized intangible assets	$654	$654
Less accumulated amortization	-654	-654
Trademark	389	389
Total other intangibles, net	389	389
Goodwill	511	511
Total goodwill and other intangibles, net	900	900
Noncompete Agreements [Member]	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets:	'	'
Useful lives	'5 years	'
Amortized intangible assets	293	293
Other Intangible Assets [Member]	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets:	'	'
Useful lives	'182 days	'
Amortized intangible assets	22	22
Favorable Operating Leases [Member]	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets:	'	'
Useful lives	'5 years	'
Amortized intangible assets	$339	$339

Note_8_Accrued_Expenses_Compos

Note 8 - Accrued Expenses - Composition of Accrued Expenses (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payroll and employee-related expenses	$5,886	$5,247
Accrued income taxes payable	4,868	95
Accrued property, sales and use tax payable	3,409	2,591
Deferred revenue related to gift card sales	725	625
Other	934	748
Total accrued expenses	$15,822	$9,306

Note_9_Deferred_Financing_Cost1

Note 9 - Deferred Financing Costs (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net	$36,000	$25,000	'
Accumulated Amortization of Noncurrent Deferred Finance Costs	900,000	900,000	'
Amortization of Financing Costs	19,000	47,000	38,000
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net	100,000	100,000	'
Amortization of Financing Costs	$100,000	$100,000	$100,000

Note_10_LongTerm_Debt_Details_

Note 10 - Long-Term Debt (Details Textual) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

10 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

10 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 25, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Oct. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 12, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Capital and Financing Lease Obligations [Member]

Capital and Financing Lease Obligations [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity Before Amendment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$21,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

15,000,000

'

'

'

'

15,000,000

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.20%

'

'

'

'

'

0.35%

0.15%

Line of Credit Facility Unused Capacity Commitment Fee Percentage Before Amendment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.38%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility Period by Which Maturity Date Extended

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility Additional Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,300,000

14,300,000

15,000,000

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.02%

'

'

'

'

'

1.85%

3.30%

2.54%

'

'

'

Repayments of Lines of Credit

46,440,000

81,000

27,236,000

'

'

15,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Expense, Debt, Excluding Amortization

2,900,000

2,200,000

600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Costs Capitalized

'

'

'

400,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Line of Credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$0

'

'

$0

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

Capital and Financing Lease Obligations Number of Leases

'

'

'

10

9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_11_Lease_Commitments_Deta

Note 11 - Lease Commitments (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Deferred Rent Credit, Noncurrent	$5,842,000	$4,731,000	'
Incentive from Lessor	7,246,000	5,716,000	'
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net	20,500,000	14,800,000	12,100,000
Pre-Opening Costs and Relocation Expenses for Stores Not Yet Opened Rent Expense	1,000,000	600,000	500,000
Capital Lease Finance Obligations	14,989,000	13,746,000	'
Capital Lease Obligations	4,672,000	4,792,000	'
Chalet [Member]	'	'	'
Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Properties Leased	7	'	'
Isely Family Land Trust LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Properties Leased	1	'	'
Related Parties [Member]	'	'	'
Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Per Lease Agreement Low End of Range	100,000	'	'
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Per Lease Agreement High End of Range	300,000	'	'
Third Parties [Member]	'	'	'
Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Sale-Leaseback Transactions	'	1	'
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Net Proceeds, Financing Activities	'	5,000,000	'
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Deferred Gain, Gross	'	200,000	'
Sale Leaseback Transaction Lease Term	'	'15 years	'
3801 East Second Avenue LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Properties Leased	1	'	'
Build to Suit Lease in Process [Member]	'	'	'
Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Capital Lease Finance Obligations	2,316,000	1,284,000	'
Construction in Progress, Gross	$2,300,000	$1,300,000	'

Note_11_Lease_Commitments_Futu

Note 11 - Lease Commitments - Future Minimum Annual Payments under Operating Leases (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
2015	$20,821
2016	22,079
2017	21,638
2018	21,542
2019	20,281
Thereafter	163,324
	269,685
Related Parties [Member]	'
2015	1,654
2016	1,633
2017	1,635
2018	1,635
2019	1,635
Thereafter	10,482
	18,674
Third Parties [Member]	'
2015	19,167
2016	20,446
2017	20,003
2018	19,907
2019	18,646
Thereafter	152,842
	$251,011

Note_11_Lease_Commitments_Capi

Note 11 - Lease Commitments - Capital and Financing Lease Obligations (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Capital lease finance obligations	$14,989	$13,746
Capital lease obligations due in monthly installments through fiscal year 2028	4,672	4,792
Total capital and financing lease obligations	21,977	19,822
Less current portion	-229	-174
Total capital and financing lease obligations, net of current portion	21,748	19,648
Build to Suit Lease in Process [Member]	'	'
Capital lease finance obligations	$2,316	$1,284

Note_11_Lease_Commitments_Sche

Note 11 - Lease Commitments - Schedule of Future Payments under the Terms of the Leases (Details) (Assets Held Under Real Estate Leases for Build to Suit Stores [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]	'
2015	$666
2015	134
2016	650
2016	151
2017	631
2017	170
2018	609
2018	192
2019	584
2019	217
Thereafter	3,013
Thereafter	3,808
	6,153
	6,153
	4,672
Capital and Financing Lease Obligations [Member]	'
2015	2,977
2016	2,977
2017	2,978
2018	2,985
2019	3,019
Thereafter	25,926
Non-cash derecognition of capital lease finance obligations at end of lease term	10,811
	51,673
Capital Lease Finance Obligations [Member]	'
2015	2,104
2015	73
2016	2,093
2016	83
2017	2,081
2017	96
2018	2,067
2018	117
2019	2,047
2019	171
Thereafter	15,467
Thereafter	3,638
Non-cash derecognition of capital lease finance obligations at end of lease term	10,811
	25,859
	14,989
	$25,859

Note_11_Lease_Commitments_Futu1

Note 11 - Lease Commitments - Future Minimum Lease Payments for Stores Under Construction (Details) (Capital Lease Finance Obligations [Member], Build to Suit Lease in Process [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Capital Lease Finance Obligations [Member] | Build to Suit Lease in Process [Member]	'
2015	$159
2015	22
2015	181
2016	156
2016	37
2016	193
2017	153
2017	39
2017	192
2018	150
2018	50
2018	200
2019	147
2019	54
2019	201
Thereafter	675
Thereafter	389
Thereafter	1,064
Non-cash derecognition of capital lease finance obligations at end of lease term	1,725
Non-cash derecognition of capital lease finance obligations at end of lease term	1,725
	1,440
	2,316
	$3,756

Note_12_ShareBased_Compensatio2

Note 12 - Share-Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2008	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jul. 17, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	'	'	'	'	1,090,151
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	'	752,403	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Grant Entitlement as Percentage of Fully Diluted Shares	1.20%	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	'	$500,000	$600,000	$1,100,000	'
Chief Financial Officer [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	'	'	'	1,100,000	'
Board [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	'	100,000	100,000	'	'
Certain Employees [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	'	400,000	500,000	0	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options	'	1,200,000	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	'	'3 years	'	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Board [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award Equivalent Value of Shares Authorized to Grant	'	$50,000	'	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'	'4 years	'	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'	'1 year	'	'	'
One-Third [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award Number of Equal Parts Over Which Awards Vest	'	3	'	'	'
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award Settlement Percentage of Awards in Shares of Common Stock	'	100.00%	'	'	'
One-Third [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Vesting Over 12 Months [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'	'1 year	'	'	'
One-Third [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Vesting Over 18 Months [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'	'1 year 180 days	'	'	'
One-Third [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Vesting Over Six Months [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'	'180 days	'	'	'

Note_12_ShareBased_Compensatio3

Note 12 - Share-Based Compensation - Changes in Non-Vested RSUs Outstanding (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'
Non-vested balance (in shares)	37,194	86,053	90,909
Non-vested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$34.77	$21.80	$1.66
Granted (in shares)	3,558	68,911	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	$42.16	$32.87	'
Forfeited (in shares)	-3,868	-204	'
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$34.07	$34.07	'
Vested (in shares)	-48,549	-73,563	'
Vested (in dollars per share)	$12.38	$7.25	'

Note_13_Related_Party_Transact1

Note 13 - Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Chalet [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Properties Leased	7	'	'
Related Party Transaction Number of Owners That Are Non-Independent Board Members of the Entity	4	'	'
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$1.30	$1.30	$1.50
Isely Family Land Trust LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Properties Leased	1	'	'
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$0.30	$0.30	$0.30

Note_14_Income_Taxes_Details_T

Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage Extension of Bonus Depreciation on Qualifying Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

Period of Special Extension Depreciation Life

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'15 years

'

'

'

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

$2,049

$2,015

$2,415

$1,802

$1,448

$1,716

$1,900

$1,315

'

$8,281,000

$6,379,000

$3,955,000

BVC [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

55.00%

Additions to Tax Basis of Acquired Fixed Assets Due to Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

Additional Tax Basis of Intangible Assets Recorded Due to Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,200,000

Deferred Tax Assets Step Up Tax Basis from Assets Acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,600,000

Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | BVC [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating Loss Carryforwards

100,000

'

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

100,000

100,000

'

State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Maximum [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating Loss Carryforwards Utilized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

100,000

'

State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | BVC [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

Note_14_Income_Taxes_Component

Note 14 - Income Taxes - Components of the Provision for Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Current federal income tax expense	$8,304,000	$3,376,000	$1,102,000
Current state income tax expense	1,163,000	551,000	180,000
	9,467,000	3,927,000	1,282,000
Deferred federal income tax (benefit) expense	-1,112,000	2,156,000	2,339,000
Deferred state income tax (benefit) expense	-74,000	296,000	334,000
	-1,186,000	2,452,000	2,673,000
Total provision for income taxes	$8,281,000	$6,379,000	$3,955,000

Note_14_Income_Taxes_Reconcili

Note 14 - Income Taxes - Reconciliation between the U.S. Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate and the Company's Effective Tax Rate (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	Rate	Rate	Rate
Statutory tax rate	35.00%	34.00%	34.00%
Nontaxable income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	-2.70%
State income taxes, net of federal income tax expense	3.00%	3.30%	3.00%
Other, net	0.10%	0.40%	0.30%
Effective tax rate	38.10%	37.70%	34.60%

Note_14_Income_Taxes_Deferred_

Note 14 - Income Taxes - Deferred Taxes (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	$832	$1,114
Long-term liabilities	-5,409	-6,877
Net deferred tax liabilities	($4,577)	($5,763)

Note_14_Income_Taxes_Tax_Effec

Note 14 - Income Taxes - Tax Effects of Temporary Differences That Give Rise to Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets	'	'
Capital and financing lease obligations	$8,330	$7,553
Goodwill and BVC related intangibles	2,937	3,209
Leasehold incentives	2,746	2,179
Deferred rent	2,214	1,803
Trademarks	1,018	1,024
Accrued employee benefits	590	728
Other	248	386
Intangible assets - other	74	80
Gross deferred tax assets	18,157	16,962
Deferred tax liabilities	'	'
Property and equipment	-19,930	-20,497
Leasehold improvements	-2,804	-2,228
Gross deferred tax liabilities	-22,734	-22,725
Net deferred tax liabilities	($4,577)	($5,763)

Note_15_Defined_Contribution_P1

Note 15 - Defined Contribution Plan (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match	25.00%	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan Employer Maximum Discretionary Contribution Amount per Employee	$2,500	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$100,000	$400,000	$300,000

Note_16_Segment_Reporting_Deta

Note 16 - Segment Reporting (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of Reportable Segments	1

Note_16_Segment_Reporting_Sale

Note 16 - Segment Reporting - Sales from Natural and Organic Retail Stores (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Sales percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Body Care, Pet Care, and Other [Member]	'	'	'
Sales percentage	10.10%	10.00%	10.30%
Dietary Supplements [Member]	'	'	'
Sales percentage	23.20%	24.80%	27.00%
Grocery [Member]	'	'	'
Sales percentage	66.70%	65.20%	62.70%

Note_17_Selected_Quarterly_Fin2

Note 17 - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net sales	$135,715	$134,036	$130,343	$120,580	$115,175	$113,164	$106,485	$95,831	$520,674,000	$430,655,000	$336,385,000
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	96,959	95,424	91,590	85,199	81,689	80,571	74,668	67,994	369,172,000	304,922,000	237,328,000
Gross profit	38,756	38,612	38,753	35,381	33,486	32,593	31,817	27,837	151,502,000	125,733,000	99,057,000
Store expenses	28,394	28,213	26,877	25,173	24,388	23,181	22,163	20,203	108,657,000	89,935,000	72,157,000
Administrative expenses	3,801	3,585	3,548	3,889	3,569	3,242	3,342	3,326	14,823,000	13,479,000	12,733,000
Pre-opening and relocation expenses	945	729	1,211	889	955	961	796	519	3,774,000	3,231,000	2,173,000
Operating income	5,616	6,085	7,117	5,430	4,574	5,209	5,516	3,789	24,248,000	19,088,000	11,994,000
Dividends and interest income	'	'	1	1	2	3	2	2	2,000	9,000	6,000
Interest expense	-379	-706	-704	-707	-900	-610	-401	-255	-2,496,000	-2,166,000	-568,000
Total other expense	-379	-706	-703	-706	-898	-607	-399	-253	2,494,000	2,157,000	562,000
Income before income taxes	5,237	5,379	6,414	4,724	3,676	4,602	5,117	3,536	21,754,000	16,931,000	11,432,000
Provision for income taxes	-2,049	-2,015	-2,415	-1,802	-1,448	-1,716	-1,900	-1,315	-8,281,000	-6,379,000	-3,955,000
Net income	$3,188	$3,364	$3,999	$2,922	$2,228	$2,886	$3,217	$2,221	$13,473,000	$10,552,000	$6,649,000
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.14	$0.15	$0.18	$0.13	$0.10	$0.13	$0.14	$0.10	$0.60	$0.47	$0.30
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.14	$0.15	$0.18	$0.13	$0.10	$0.13	$0.14	$0.10	$0.60	$0.47	$0.30

Note_19_Subsequent_Events_Deta

Note 19 - Subsequent Events (Details Textual) (Natural Food Retailer in Independence, Missouri [Member], Subsequent Event [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 07, 2014
Natural Food Retailer in Independence, Missouri [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]	'
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$6.20