After evacuating employees and patrons from the Whole Foods on Chicago Avenue due to an anonymous bomb threat, Evanston Police Department said at 1:30 p.m. on Twitter that the area is now clear.

EPD first notified the community of the incident via Twitter at about 12:16 p.m., stating a threat was made to a business at Church Street and Chicago Avenue. In the tweet, EPD said a heavy police presence is on the scene as officers investigate. 

According to a news release EPD sent at 2:11 p.m., a Whole Foods employee received a phone call at 11:36 a.m. stating a bomb had been placed in the store. 

EPD followed up on Twitter at about 12:46 p.m., saying the area remains secure and encouraging people to avoid the area. At about 1:14 p.m. the department said the Cook County Bomb Squad was helping search the location. 

Northwestern alerted the University community about the threat via text and email at about 12:50 p.m., likewise asking people to stay clear, before following up with an additional email at about 1:44 p.m. saying the all-clear was given. 

At 1:30 p.m., EPD also said all traffic restrictions have been lifted in the area and detectives will continue to investigate. 

This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.

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Twitter: @shannonmtyler