Crushtomer (crush + customer)

A “crushtomer” (crush + customer) is a customer who someone working at the store has a crush on. The term “crushtomer” has been cited in print since at least March 2008, when it was used on Craigslist. A January 2009 entry in the Urban Dictionary claims “term born at barnes & noble staten island” and there is a December 2009 Manhattan citation, but it’s not known if “crushtomer” originated in New York City.
 
“Crushtomer” is most often used at restaurants and bars, where returning customers can be well known to the people who work there.
 
   
Urban Dictionary
Crushtomer
A regular customer at your workplace who you find attractive or take a liking to. Usually associated in a customer service environment like a coffee shop.
(...)
by RaeganMT Dec 17, 2008
 
crushtomer
a customer at your job that you have a crush on.
(term born at barnes & noble staten island.)
my crushtomer came in today, and i panicked and ran into the break room.
by katiecupcakes Jan 27, 2009
   
Twenty Twenty Hindsight
March 19, 2009
Craigslist, A Year Ago
By Katie
Crushtomer Wanted – 26 (Chapel Hill)
Reply to: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Date: 2008-03-19, 4:29PM EDT
My fellow employees at Whole Foods Chapel Hill have been discussing ways to make our jobs more enjoyable and, after much deliberation, we’re in agreement–we need a crushtomer. Actually, it’d be great if there were plenty of crushtomers to go around and the straight boys and gay girls wouldn’t have to share, but we need to be realistic here. One will do.
   
flickr
By neilfein
This photo was taken on December 27, 2009 using a Motorola .
Crushtomers
“Note to crushtomers - Mistletoe is located behind the bar.” Seen in a cafe in Manhattan.
 
Post Punk Kitchen Forum 
Post subject: Re: The Crush Thread
Rubella
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 7:15 am
My crushtomer came into work today…it was slow and he was the only person in line and didn’t even wait to be called to my reg, just walked on over.
 
New York (NY) Times
Published: February 9, 2013
Java Jive
By Ben Schott
JOE
NEW YORK CITY AND PHILADELPHIA
CRUSHTOMER: A customer a staff member has a crush on.