Evanston police evacuated the Whole Foods store on Chicago Avenue downtown shortly before noon Monday after a reported bomb threat against the store.

Chicago Avenue and Church Street were still closed to auto traffic by 12:30 p.m. as police continued to investigate the incident.

Update 1:20 p.m.: Traffic is still blocked in the area around the store. Evanston police say the Cook County Bomb Squad is assisting with a search of the store. Police say an anonymous caller phoned in the threat to the store.

Update 1:40 p.m.: Police have given the all-clear for the Whole Foods store, and traffic restrictions have been lifted. Detectives will continue to investigate the incident.

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

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