Yes, on this day, it’s going to be a strong day for bar owners. But, interestingly enough, the past year has also been strong. This is according to a new study from BizEquity on the business valuation of bars.

Over the past year, the typical bar saw a 5% increase in value – to $82,306. Let’s face it, as the economy continues to fall off, there continues to be steady business for bars.

In fact, some cities have posted robust growth. For example, there was a 28% increase in Dallas and Las Vegas is up 30%.

For more, you can click here for the report.

Of course, small business owners are deeply concerned about the future. And, this is being reflected in a variety of surveys, such as from the latest report from the National Federation of Independent Business Small Business.

And, as things get worse, the wealth of small business owners continues to deteriorate. This is clearly evident on the business valuation database of BizEquity.

But, even during bad times, there are silver linings, right? Definitely.

For example, it is more cost-effective to start a business, in terms of supplies, labor and so on. At the same time, customers are looking for alternatives. Thus, if your business has a relatively competitive overhead structure, you may be able to snag some good business.

Something else: you are likely to find good valuations on businesses for sale. With few buyers in the marketplace, you should be able to negotiate a strong deal. And, as the economy eventually comes back, the rewards can be significant.

All in all, it’s still smart to be cautious. But, in this environment, there are still some potentially great opportunities.