Is Trader Joe's Really a German Company?

If you enjoy getting gourmet products like tiramisu and virgin olive oil at Trader Joe's, then you might enjoy this piece from the NYT blog:  Trader Joe's Secrets - NYTimes.com

They did a former piece called Do You Know Who Owns Trader Joe's? - NYTimes.com in which it was revealed that Trader Joe's is owned by a HUGE German discount grocery outlet.  The company is called Aldi.  Given their funky image (Hawaiian shirts etc.), this seems a bit strange.

Aldi Looks to U.S. for Growth - WSJ.com - They are looking to open 75 new US branches this year.

Inside the secret world of Trader Joe's - Aug. 23, 2010 - They have 344 stores in 55 states.  This article in Fortune magazine tells a bunch more secrets, like what is behind Two Buck Chucks.

I'm going to keep going there but it just won't be quite the same.  They seem somehow more "mysterious" now.