Classic risk vs reward scenario. If money is tight and you will really benefit from buying them, and the staff are professional, respectful, and you are careful about other customers, then I would say go for it. If they aren't that cheap or you can comfortably afford to buy online, then why risk alienating your community or making things uncomfortable for you in the future.
I had a similar situation, but it was with some very valuable vintage plastic baby diapers. I wanted them desperately and knew I could easily sell them online for well over a hundred dollars profit. The store though was the only small store in town where my family does its annual family reunion. I am probably related to half the people that live there. No way was it worth it for me to buy them no matter how amazing they were.
Conversely, I have bought goodnites and Depend real-fit from the nearest Walmart a few towns over, where I have lots of family that might shop there and regularly see people I know from school or other community/family events. I am cautious to make sure no one I care about will notice, I go quickly and directly to the items I want and leave quickly without drawing extra attention. Sure, people will recognize me the next time I shop there, but the risk is low enough to make it worth doing.
When it comes to people that matter, it is worth it to be extra careful and not risk the social or personal cost just to save a few dollars, but for few vaguely familiar faces that you only see at the store and don't really care about, there isn't really any reason to care what they think.
