Starbucks proposed beneath the Maryland Inn

A basement spot off Church Circle where Annapolitans mellowed out to bossa nova jazz for 30 years could soon be jacking up visitors with venti mocha frappuccinos.

Two years after the closing of the King of France Tavern beneath the historic Maryland Inn on upper Main Street, corporate owners in Texas are moving forward with a plan to renovate the space as a Starbucks Coffee bar and lounge.

A proposal to replace the wooden coat-of-arms sign and lilac awnings leading down to the closed basement pub with the green, black and white of the Starbucks logo will go before the Historic Preservation Commission at its next meeting on...