Businesses react to first day without mask mandate Businesses decide what to do now that restrictions are lifted With the removal of Texas' mask mandate, some people are throwing no mask parties while others are deciding how to proceed. HOUSTON - With the removal of the Texas mask mandate Wednesday, some people are throwing no-mask parties, despite the Houston mayor’s advice not to do so. Federal American Grill on Shepherd Drive in Houston is the scene of one of those parties. Joseph Trahan, founder of Bizpac, organized the "mask off champagne toast." He says he’s expecting about 70 people to celebrate the end of the mask mandate beginning at 5:30 Wednesday evening.