Did you rotate stores?
I know I did. I had this master plan to never hit up the same place too often. 7-11 today, then Kroger, then that other 7-11, then CVS, etc. I didn't want the cashier seeing me too often because then he'll think I'm a drunk (even though I never bought anything but beer).
The problem was if I ran out, I would take the past of least resistance and go to the 7-11 down the street. I usually had a buzz and didn't care what people thought of me. If I ever showed up and didn't buy beer the question was ask "not drinking today?", and I'd laugh and say no. Of course, that wasn't true. I was just heading somewhere else to get booze.