NBC4 has a story about national caffeine overlord Starbucks’ continued efforts to lease space for a coffee shop to be located in the former site of The King of France Tavern, within the historic Maryland Inn in Annapolis. Initially rejected by the Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission last winter, Starbucks is scheduled to appear again before the commission tonight with a revised plan, which now includes a wheelchair lift, according to NBC4.

The tavern, which opened in 1784, has played host to lawmakers and heads of state since the time when Annapolis was the U.S. capital. Some local residents appear to support Starbucks’ plan, and the company has promised to preserve the stone and exposed-brick walls in an effort to blend in with the historic building as much as possible. Others are perhaps naturally more skepitcal, given the companies’ well-known habit of creating cookie-cutter retail outlets that are uniquely recognizable whether you’re in Shanghai or Sarasota.

Ultimately, as long as the Historic Preservation Commission and Starbucks can settle on a development plan, there’s nothing anyone can do to stop the Maryland Inn from leasing the space to the company. And though there’s clearly something distasteful about replacing such a storied tavern with a ubiquitous national chain, we suppose any sort of coffee house is less offensive than say, a McDonald’s, or a 7-11. At least it’s still the kind of establishment where people can come to meet friends and linger for hours. Right? Well if the notion of putting a Starbucks in a historic building makes you throw up in your mouth just a little bit, you can rest assured you’ll have another chance to air your grievances when Starbucks tries to lease a space on the opposite corner from the Maryland Inn next year.