With the federal government shutdown stretching into its sixth week, employees at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard say the missed paychecks are putting them in a financial bind.

That’s prompting some local businesses — including bars, restaurants and banks — to offer discounts and other services.

“One of our biggest clientele is the shipyard,” says Cassie Eaton, a bar manager at Rudders Public House, a popular pub in Kittery, Maine, adjacent to the shipyard’s main entrance. “We have a lot of family and friends that work for the shipyard, and they're already going through a lot.”

To support their customers, Rudders is offering a “$10 Furlough Special Menu” that includes a burger, chicken club, and other sandwiches, along with a side, for a few dollars less than the normal price.

Eaton says

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