We don’t have a Trader Joe’s here, but Aldi’s has been around this area for 15 years or more. Had no idea they were connected. Thanks iowamark.
Trader Joe’s was started by an American with the first store in Pasadena, CA. It was bought by Aldi Nord in 1979.
We have two Aldis in Lexington, KY. They are clean and have good deals, but I seldom visit one, because the nearest one is eight miles away. Kroger, Wal-Mart, Meijer, GFS, Save-A-Lot and the brand new Costco are all closer. Personally I see them as the European equivalent of Save-A-Lot; both stores live up to their names if you buy the generic brands.