LEWISTON – Night owls who want to rent a movie after everyone else has gone to bed can now go to Maine’s first 24-hour, automated video store.

The Moviebank franchise opened last month in Maine’s second-largest city, allowing customers to rent videos 24-7. Automated video machines, which look something like bank ATMs, are set up to allow customers to browse movie choices, make their selections and pay with a prepaid membership card without any human interaction.

The international corporation Moviebank opened franchises in the United States a year ago. It also makes movies and games available at all hours of the day from small stores and kiosks.

Inc. magazine last year cited automated video enterprises as one of the five best ideas to watch this year.

Lewiston’s franchise is Moviebank’s first in New England. Owner Spencer Quirion said customers’ only face-to-face interaction is to get a membership card. So far, Quirion said he’s signed up about 300 members. He would like to open multiple locations around the state.

Customers can also browse titles on Moviebank’s Web site, www.moviebankusa.com and reserve titles for up to three hours. Members can rent videos for $1.98 for 24 hours, or 99 cents for 12 hours.