Trouble finding SMD 74HC279

you did not list a chip part number that you wanted.

the suffix AD offers a SOIC part.

Newark element14 SN74LS279AD has 49

Avnet Express : SN74LS279ADR - has 555 in stock

Farnell element14 SN74LS279AD has 102

Mouser
SN74LS279ADE4 - 523
SN74LS279AD - 663

Digikey
SN74LS279ADR - 720

not sure how many you need. or what country, so I used suppliers in asia, the us and eu.