Hurricane Harvey: Houston businesses, employees feel the pinch after weeklong curfew

HOUSTON (KABC) -- Amid post-Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts in Houston, a mandatory curfew for most of the city was lifted Tuesday evening following a week of restrictions.

In west Houston, an area that mostly remained underwater, restricted hours were still in place. Residents in the neighborhood of Houston Heights, located in the northern part of the city, expressed relief that businesses and restaurants were reopening.

Eight Row Flint, a popular restaurant-bar that employs about 120 people, lost more than $150,000 in revenue due to early closures during the previous week, according to the business's management. For the same reason, paychecks distributed to employees were smaller than usual.

Seven workers lost their houses in the hurricane, eight lost cars, and the curfew forced employees to work 18 hours less than normal, said Bryan Davis, operations manager of Agricole Hospitality.

"For them to lose several hours on their paycheck, it makes a difference to them," Davis said. "They're trying to get their kids back in school, and at this time they're trying to pay for the lost clothes and lost cars and things like that."

While west Houston remains under curfew, there are some exceptions. First responders, people seeking medical attention and late-shift workers do not necessarily have to abide by the regulation.