Cavana's background includes over 20 years in the Visual, Performing and Written Arts.  He is former manager for Howard Johnsons, Tony Roma A Place for Ribs and a few other places.  "I had a blast in food service but it is taxing."  His love for restaurant, coffee culture and the Arts lead to him establishing the Nia Coffeehouse in 1996.  It supported free speech by featuring some of the hottest poets in America and American Classical music featuring live Jazz.  In 2017 Cavana relinquished the reins to  partner Vince Robinson the Nia Coffeehouse became the thriving Larchmere Arts.