Forget packed malls and big-box chain stores brimming with sleepy bargain hunters. This holiday season, a modest shopping phenomenon is brewing in Fort Wayne, Ind.

During the recent Thanksgiving weekend that included Black Friday, hundreds of local shoppers gathered in downtown Fort Wayne to buy from small merchants offering a variety of gifts, including flavored popcorn, apparel and nail polish. The unique twist? Every small business participating in the retail fair featured "Made in USA" goods almost exclusively.

"The majority of the products sold are made in the United States," said Olivia Fabian, co-owner of local retailer OFabz Swimwear, which participated in Fort Wayne's second annual "HollyPop" retail event a week ago.

While "HollyPop" organizers did not set out to showcase domestically made items, a survey of merchants revealed lots of emerging businesses-all producing goods locally.

"We wanted to round up the coolest of the cool and put them in one location," Fabian said.

(Read more: 'Made in USA' fuels new manufacturing hubs in apparel )

Tthe brainchild of local merchants and community leaders, the "HollyPop" event is a unique retail experiment and far from the the norm. Physical retail spaces that have dedicated shelf space for "Made in USA" goods are rare, an exception being Cracker Barrel's country stores, according to Sarah Wagner, a popular blogger who focuses on domestically made goods.

Cracker Barrel's "Old Country Store" features a "Made in USA" section with products including apparel, flags and kitchen items.

Wagner has turned her passion for "Made in USA" products into a successful website, USA Love List, devoted to sourcing domestically produced items, ranging from apparel to pet food. She searches the aisles of big retailers, such as Costco and Target, for American-made goods.

And seeking "Made in USA" labels during the holidays can have a special appeal.

"The holiday season is the ideal time to focus our shopping by seeking the 'Made in USA' label because when it comes to gifts, we have a lot of flexibility in our spending," Wagner said. "At this time of year, more than ever, we want to feel like we are contributing to the things that matter to us. A well-chosen gift is always a treat, but if that gift supports our neighbors, our communities, or our country, it will be appreciated even more dearly," she said.

Bottom line: More American-made goods sold equals U.S. jobs.

(Read more: Welcome home: 'Made in USA' on the rise )

While "Made in USA" sections in physical stores are not prevalent, more Web platforms are featuring such sections. And we're not just talking small mom-and-pop online stores.