Exploring the intricate dynamics between the vulnerability of the built environment and the resilience of businesses is not only pivotal for equitable recovery resource allocation, especially among underprivileged populations but also remains a relatively unexplored area within the realm of urban resilience studies. This study uses fine-resolution human mobility and property-level flood damage claim data to uncover the rather unknown effects of built-environment vulnerability on the recovery of businesses and local economies. Using data from the 2017 Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas, we examine the extent of nearby residential flood damage on the differential recovery trajectories of essential businesses: grocery stores, gasoline stations, and healthcare retail stores, and physicians' offices. The analysis evaluates what types of businesses are more sensitive to residential flood damage and to what extent this sensitivity varies based on socio-demographic spectrum. The findings reveal the heterogeneity of sensitivity of businesses to residential property damage across business types. Certain businesses, such as grocery stores and offices of physicians, are more sensitive to nearby residential property damage. Also, the findings reveal that businesses located in low-income areas show a heightened sensitivity in the form of slowed recovering trajectories. The greater coupling of residential damage and business recovery in low-income areas creates a feedback mechanism that slows the overall recovery of those communities. The findings contribute to a better understanding, with implications for considering the ripple effect of built-environment vulnerability on economic resilience as a factor for evaluating urban crisis management strategies.