Sentence:  The members of the regional elite, who in a sense host these more rural dwellers, in turn make their periodic trips to Guatemala City in order to fulfill certain of their needs. Although <WSD>patronizing</WSD> the local stores, they will also make purchases in the city, and may well prefer a Guatemala City lawyer or medical specialist to those available locally. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  (Customer) To make oneself a customer of a business, especially a regular customer.