patron

One who protects or supports; a defender or advocate.

An influential, wealthy person who supported an artist, craftsman, a scholar or a noble.

A customer, as of a certain store or restaurant.

"This car park is for patrons only."

(Roman law) A protector of a dependent, especially a master who had freed a slave but still retained some paternal rights.

To be a patron of; to patronize; to favour.

To treat as a patron.