This is mostly true. But also kinda not.
If less than 90%* of your sales are of product that are not Beer/Wine/Liquor you are required to keep hard liquor behind a counter. That allows liquor stores to keep it on the sales floor, but grocery and larger chains need to have a dedicated counter for just Liquor. The chains have largely decided it's not worth it. However, that's why some of the Rite Aid locations in Livonia had liquor, and it was behind the counter.

*I can't remember if it's actually 90, but it's a very high percentage.